Portuguese diplomatic posts around the world have announced that, effective October 23, 2025, Portuguese consular offices and visa application centers of external service providers (i.e., VFS Global, BLS International and TLScontact) will no longer be able to accept job seeking visa applications, as this type of visa no longer exists as previously defined by law.
Therefore, all appointments for job seeking visas from that date will be cancelled.
This follows the announcement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on October 22, 2025 of the publication of Law No. 61/2025, amending Article 57-A of Law No. 23/2007, which approved the Foreigners’ Law, regarding job seeking visas.
The key changes under the new law include the following:
- Visa validity is restricted to Portugal only, and no longer allows entry to other Schengen countries.
- A new visa for highly qualified job seekers is introduced, with stricter qualifying criteria than the existing job seeker visa.
- The “manifestation of interest” process is closed. This procedure previously allowed foreign nationals to regularize their stay after entering Portugal without a work or residence visa.
- Residence applications must now be submitted from abroad, through a Portuguese consulate.
- Nationals of the Community of Portuguese-Speaking Countries (CPLP) must now obtain a residence visa before travelling to Portugal.
- At least two years of legal residence is now required before family reunification applications can be accepted.
- Spouses and partners must be at least 18 years old and unions must be recognized under Portuguese law.
- Spouses and partners in stable unions must demonstrate at least 18 months of cohabitation before entering Portugal and then wait another 15 months after arrival before applying.
- Spouses and partners with minor or dependent children are exempt from the two-year rule, as are Golden Visa holders and highly qualified professionals.
- Applicants must now prove they have adequate housing and stable financial means without recourse to social support. The authorities may also request proof of language skills and knowledge of constitutional values.
- The immigration authority now has nine months, instead of three, to decide family reunification applications
Implementation is ongoing and requires further regulatory updates.
Erickson Insights & Analysis
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