SKILLED JOB SEEKER VISA

The Foreigners Law has been amended and the skilled job seeker visa replaced the job-seeker visa.

The changes are significant: the job-seeker visa has been replaced by the skilled job seeker visa, intended for professionals with specialised technical skills.

It is therefore important to stay informed and check whether you meet the requirements for this visa.

What is required to obtain skilled job seeker visa?

The skilled job seeker visa may be granted to individuals with specialised technical skills, authorising them to enter and stay in Portugal for the purpose of seeking employment.

What are the requirements for applicants for this type of visa?

a) They must not have been subject to a removal measure and still be within the subsequent period during which entry into and stay in Portugal are prohibited;

b) They must not be listed in the Schengen Information System (SIS), for return purposes, together with an entry and stay ban imposed by any Member State of the European Union or by a state where the Convention Implementing the Schengen Agreement is in force;

c) They must not be listed in the UCFE Integrated Information System (SII UCFE), under the Foreigners Law, for the purposes of refusing entry and stay or for return purposes;

d) They must have sufficient means of subsistence, as defined by an order issued by the members of the Government responsible for migration and social solidarity and security;

e) They must have a valid travel document;

f) They must have travel insurance;

g) If the applicant is a minor and will not be accompanied during their stay by the person exercising parental responsibilities or responsibilities under the adult guardianship regime, they must have parental authorisation or an equivalent document.

A travel ticket guaranteeing their return is also required.

How long may the holder of a visa for seeking qualified employment stay in Portugal?

The holder is authorised to carry out highly qualified professional activity until the visa expires or a residence permit is granted. The visa is issued for 120 days, may be extended for a further 60 days, and allows a single entry into Portugal.

The visa for seeking employment includes an appointment date with the competent residence permit services within those 120 days. If the holder starts professional activity during that period, the visa entitles them to apply for a residence permit, provided they meet the general requirements for a temporary residence permit.

What happens if the visa holder does not find a job within the initial 120 days or the additional 60-day extension?

If the visa’s maximum validity period expires without the holder having started professional activity and the subsequent document regularisation process, they must leave Portugal. They may only submit a new visa application for this purpose one year after the previous visa expires.

What qualifies as specialised technical skills for this type of visa?

Specialised technical skills will be defined in an order issued by the members of the Government responsible for foreign affairs, migration, education and employment.

At present, although the law has been amended, its Regulations have not. As a result, applications for a visa to seek qualified employment are not yet available through Portuguese consulates and embassies.

We are therefore waiting for the publication of the amended Foreigners Regulations before applications for this visa can be submitted.

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All information is general in nature and should not be considered professional advice. Each case is unique and should be assessed individually.

Our firm provides legal consultancy and assistance on this matter.

If you have any questions, please contact us.