Job search visa in Portugal - Dossier immigration Portugal

As in several European countries, Portugal has recently joined the list of countries that include a job-seeker visa in their visa system. In addition to the new visa, a bill approved by the Portuguese Council of Ministers introduces changes to the legal regime governing the entry, stay, departure and expulsion of foreigners, and at the same time abolishes the quota for work-related residence visas.

Update

Job search visa in Portugal Article 2024

List of required documents, work visa for Portugal

Visa for job seekers without a work contract in Portugal

Si la plupart des personnes souhaitant immigrer au Portugal ou en Europe en général misent sur l’obtention d’un contrat de travail pour immigrer sur le continent, d’autres entreprennent de chercher un poste dans l’un des pays qui délivre le visa de recherche d’emploi et accroissent ainsi fortement leurs possibilités. Si vous êtes un habitué de notre site web ou de notre page Facebook, vous savez sans doute que plusieurs pays comme l’Allemagne, l’Autriche, les Pays-Bas et la Suède ont déjà opté pour le système du research visa d’emploi pour résoudre leurs problèmes de pénurie de main-d’œuvre et encourager les immigrants à venir s’installer dans leur pays. La particularité du Portugal is that its conditions are lighter than those of other countries.

What is a job search visa in Portugal?

In practical terms, this is a temporary visa which entitles the holder to enter Portugal and reside there legally for a limited period, in order to seek suitable employment. If a job is found, the holder can start work, after applying for a long-term worker's residence permit. However, if the person does not find a job within the period of validity of this visa, he or she must leave Portugal.

As a result, foreigners wishing to emigrate and work in Portugal can travel to the country and stay for a certain period of time without needing a prior work contract in the country.

How long does the visa for seeking work in Portugal last?

Visit duration visa to look for a job in Portugal for foreigners is 120 daysrenewable once for a period of 60 days from Portuguese territory. This means that the beneficiary will have 180 days to find a suitable job in Portugal and obtain a work contract from your potential employer.

The job-seeker visa holder then has two options:

Either he/she does not find a job during the period of validity of the visa, in which case he/she must leave Portugal, and will not be able to return on the same visa until an entire year from the date of departure from Portuguese territory.

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On the other hand, if the visa holder finds a job corresponding to his/her qualifications and obtains an employment contract, he/she must submit an application to the competent authorities to convert the job seeker visa into a temporary residence for workers in Portugal, and then occupy his/her position as an employee while awaiting a favorable response from the authorities.

Documents and conditions required to apply for a job search visa in Portugal

The documents and criteria required may differ slightly depending on your country of residence, but in general, make sure you have the following documents and qualifications:

• Personal documents: A passport valid for at least six months from your expected date of entry into Portugal, plus several personal photos; you may also be asked to provide a birth certificate or other personal documents.
• Academic and professional qualifications: These include certificates and diplomas related to your profession principal. In addition to professional experience proving that you have the necessary qualifications to work in Portugal.
• Health insurance: you must have valid health insurance in Portugal for the duration of your stay.
• Sufficient funds: Portuguese consular services need to be sure that you are prepared to pay all accommodation and living expenses during your job-seeking stay in Portugal. For this reason, they require evidence that you have a minimum of around 3,000 euros to cover the costs of a 4-month stay (which is the initial duration of the visa as mentioned above). This amount is based on the equivalent of 4 months' Portuguese minimum wage.
• Proof of accommodation: You are also required to provide a hotel reservation or other proof of accommodation; an invitation or accommodation with an acquaintance will also do.
• A clean criminal record in your country of origin (in certain cases).
• Language skills: As Portugal's official language is Portuguese, most job offers require a command of this language, with the possibility of finding jobs requiring only English or Spanish, for example. This means you'll need to prove your command of one of the country's most widely used languages when you apply.
• Other documents: For example, some Portuguese embassies require applicants to submit a round-trip flight reservation before submitting their visa application. In this case, be sure to book a return ticket that can be cancelled.

You will be granted an appointment after your visa application has been submitted, so that you can present and defend your case in the same way as for the American lottery.

On the application form for a visa to seek employment in Portugal, the section corresponding to work experience, you can choose between several options, the first being no experience, the other options being the following:

• Architects, urban planners and designers
• Biologos, Botanists, Zoologos
• Electrical, electronics and telecommunications engineers
• Industrial, civil, mechanical, mining and metallurgical engineers
• Agricultural, forestry and environmental engineers
• Specialists in finance, accounting, management, marketing and public relations
• Legal and social specialists (lawyers, economists, psychologists, journalists, translators, etc.)
• Physicists, chemists, mathematicians and statisticians
• General practitioners and specialists
• Nurses and nursing assistants
• Pharmacists
• Health professionals (physiotherapists, nutritionists, therapists, etc.)
• Nurses and family assistants
• Veterinarians and veterinary assistants
• Teacher
• Education aids
• Analysts and programmers (software, web and applications)
• IT experts and operators
• Telecommunications technicians
• Cultural and religious technicians (librarians, museum curators, photographers, decorators, etc.)
• Performing artists and workers
• Physical and sports technicians (athletes, trainers, instructors, etc.)
• Office, administration and secretaries
• Call center and call center staff
• Chefs and cooks
• Kitchen helpers and meal preparers
• Bakers and confectioners
• Waiters and bar staff
• Hotel receptionist
• Hairdressers, beauticians, masseuses and the like
• Sales clerks and cashiers
• Security and security personnel (guards, porters, etc.)
• Agriculture, animal production and forestry workers
• Fishing and aquaculture workers
• Responsible for the mining, manufacturing and construction industries
• Basic structural construction workers (masons, calceteiros, reinforced concrete workers, carpenters)
• Construction finishers (tilers, plasterers, plumbers, painters, etc.)
• Metallurgists, metal workers (builders, welders, locksmiths, etc.)
• Electrical and electronics workers
• Food processing workers (meat and fish preparation, canning, etc.)
• Clothing and footwear industry workers (tailors, shoemakers, etc.)
• Machine operators in the mining, manufacturing and construction industries
• Vehicle mechanics, equipment and repairers
• Warehouse and logistics employees
• Locomotive drivers and similar
• Car, van and motorcycle drivers
• Heavy vehicle and bus drivers
• Cleaners and housekeepers

How to apply for a job search visa in Portugal ?

It is possible to apply for a Portuguese job-seeker visa by making an appointment with the Portuguese consular services in your country, or in a neighboring country if your country does not have an embassy or consulate, and submitting an integrated application, as is the case for other travel visas or scheingen visas.

Application form for a visa to work in Portugal

You must also complete an online form " DECLARATION OF INTEREST FOR IEFP REGISTRATION "in which you declare that after entering the country, the Portuguese intend to register with the Institute for Employment and Vocational Training to look for work.

Link to IEFP form : Pedido de Visto de Procura de Trabalho (iefp.pt)

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