Portugal has established Portuguese job seeker visas for individuals who wish to travel to and reside solely in Portugal in search of employment. You may begin working upon obtaining this visa and continue doing so until the visa expires or you obtain a Portuguese residence permit. This visa permits only one entry into Portugal and is valid for 120 days; however, it can be renewed for an additional 60 days. To obtain a job seeker visa, you must have a job offer from a Portuguese employer.
Check Also: UK Seasonal Work Visa Sponsorship Companies 2024
Types of Portuguese Visas
There are various types of Portuguese visas available based on qualifications and professions. To apply for a work visa for experienced workers, you must have a job offer in one of the qualified occupations or professions, such as engineers, scientists, IT professionals, medical professionals, or administrative employees.
To be eligible for a self-employed work visa, you must be a service provider or own your own business. You can apply for and obtain a highly skilled worker visa if you are incredibly skilled in your field and earn a salary that is greater than 1.5 times the national average gross annual salary in Portugal.
If you wish to participate in Portugal’s cultural activities, a work visa for cultural activities is the ideal visa for you, as it allows you to take part in projects reorganized by Portuguese authorities that are based on Portugal’s cultural activities.
A teaching work visa is issued to individuals who receive a job offer from a Portuguese educational institution or research center. In addition, you qualify for a tech visa if you receive a job offer from a technology-based company.
Benefits of Portugal Job Seekers Visa
- Prolonged Stay:Â Non-EU/EEA nationals are granted a visa that permits them to remain in Portugal for a maximum of one year to explore job prospects.
- Authorization by Law:Â Job Seeker Visa holders are granted lawful authorization to reside in Portugal for the duration of their job search, enabling them to engage in job market activities and participate in interviews without infringing on visa regulations.
- Gaining Entry to the Labor Market:Â By granting access to the Portuguese labor market, it empowers candidates to pursue employment opportunities across diverse sectors and industries across the nation.
- Sponsorship Not Necessary:Â In Portugal, neither prior sponsorship nor a job offer are prerequisites for applying for the Job Seeker Visa, in contrast to other work visas which require an offer of employment. This liberty empowers individuals to investigate a multitude of prospects.
- Approaching Work Permits:Â Individuals who obtain employment within the visa period are eligible to apply for work permits and other pertinent residence permits, which would grant them lawful authorization to reside and work in Portugal.
- Approach to Residency:Â Possibilities for long-term residency or citizenship in Portugal may result from securing employment, on the condition that the individual continues to comply with Portuguese immigration laws and fulfills the requisite requirements.
- Possibility to Observe the Portuguese Way of Life:Â By immersing themselves in Portuguese culture, lifestyle, and language during the job search phase, candidates can enhance their knowledge of the country before making any significant commitments such as long-term residency or employment.
Requirements/ Eligibility for Portuguese Work Visa
The list of required documents for applying for a Portuguese work visa is as follows:
- National Visa application bearing the applicant’s signatures
- A valid passport
- Professional Curriculum Vitae
- Passport-sized photographs in accordance with Portugal visa requirements
- Evidence of sufficient funds to support yourself
- Your criminal record according to the laws of your country of residence. Additionally, you must obtain your criminal history from any country where you have lived for more than a year.
- A document allowing the SEF to review your Portuguese criminal history.
- Evidence of health insurance Proof of residence in Portugal
- Employment contract Proof of lawful entry into Portuguese territories, such as a visa, if you are already residing in Portugal.
- To apply from a country other than your home country, you must provide evidence of an authorized stay, such as a visa or residency permit.
If you have any documents in a language other than English or Portuguese, you must have them professionally translated. In addition, you must have your civil documents legalized through an Apostille Stamp or your country’s Portuguese Embassy.
Work Permit Application
Your employer submits your application for a Portuguese work permit if they offer you a job. On your behalf, they must submit an application for a Work Permit to the Portuguese Labor Authorities or the Portuguese Immigration and Borders Service (Servico de Estrangeiros e Fronteiras – SEF).
Employers are required to submit a list of documents to obtain authorization for a Portugal work visa following verification. These documents include an employment contract, the company’s tax returns, proof that the company is registered with Social Security, and evidence that the position could not have been filled by a Swiss, EU, or EEA national.
Application for Portugal Job Seekers Visa
Once you are authorized, you can apply for a work permit in Portugal at the Portugal embassy in your country. After obtaining this visa, you may enter Portugal to work and apply for a residence permit. The Portuguese embassy will schedule an appointment for you at the SEF so you can inform them of your anticipated travel dates and residence in Portugal. To submit an application for a residence permit,
How Much Does a Work Visa for Portugal Costs?
When applying for a Portugal work visa, you must submit multiple fees for different purposes, such as a €90 entry visa fee issued by the Portuguese Embassy (may vary for different countries), an €83 residence permit for work application submission fee at the SEF, and a €72 residence permit for work receiving a fee from the SEF.
Frequently Asked Questions:
-
How much is the visa application fee for Portugal?
Flight booking and Request for access to the Portuguese criminal database (to be given at the point of application) The visa fee is 90 Euros (paid in Naira at the month’s exchange rate).
-
How long does Portugal visa processing take?
The normal processing time for a visa application is a minimum of 15 calendar days. Will I receive my visa upon completion of the process? As a center for visa applications, the Portugal Visa Application Centre cannot guarantee you a visa.
-
Who is eligible for a Portugal job seeker visa?
To be eligible for the Portugal Job Seeker Visa, you must meet the following requirements: You must be a non-EU national. You must have a valid passport that expires at least three months after your intended departure from Portugal. You must have a clean criminal record in your country of origin or residence.
