Portugal has officially scrapped its well-known job seeker visa following the approval of Law No. 61/2025, a major overhaul of the country’s immigration system. The change took effect on 23 October 2025, abruptly canceling thousands of scheduled appointments and leaving many hopeful migrants uncertain about their next steps.
A Popular Visa Removed Overnight
For years, the job seeker visa gave foreign nationals a straightforward way to come to Portugal, stay for up to 120 days, and search for employment. The requirements were minimal—mainly proof of savings of about €2,460—and the visa even allowed Schengen-area travel. Its simplicity made Portugal a top choice for people hoping to start a new life in Europe.
That route is now gone.
All pending and future appointments booked through VFS Global, BLS International, and TLScontact were automatically voided once the law came into effect. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that no job seeker visa appointments scheduled after October 23 would be honored.
Introducing the Highly Skilled Work-Seeking Visa
In place of the old system, Portugal is creating a new pathway: the Highly Skilled Work-Seeking Visa.
This visa is intended for professionals with proven technical or specialized expertise, signaling a strategic shift toward attracting qualified talent.
However, there’s a major obstacle: the visa is not yet operational.
The government still needs to publish detailed regulations defining:
- What counts as “highly specialized competencies”
- Eligibility criteria
- Application steps
- Required documentation
Until these rules are officially released, no applications can be submitted, and there’s currently no stated timeline for when the process will open.
What’s Different Under the New Visa
Although the new visa retains the previous 120-day stay period, it comes with stricter conditions:
- Portugal-Only Validity
Unlike the former job seeker visa, this one does not permit travel throughout the Schengen Area.
- Skill-Based Eligibility
Only applicants with “specialized technical skills” can qualify, effectively closing the door to general job seekers.
- One-Year Wait Rule
If a candidate fails to secure employment within 120 days, they must leave Portugal and cannot reapply for 12 months.
These changes largely exclude lower-skilled workers who previously relied on the old visa to find opportunities in sectors such as agriculture, hospitality, and construction.
Why the Change Matters
With an estimated 58,000 unfilled job vacancies, especially in tourism and construction, many employers are concerned that tightening visa eligibility could worsen workforce shortages.
Industry leaders argue that limiting entries to highly skilled professionals may not align with the country’s immediate labor needs.
What Applicants Should Do Now
- No action is required for cancelled appointments; they were automatically voided.
- Monitor official updates from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and AIMA for the release of new visa regulations.
- Refunds are unlikely, as visa fees in Portugal are generally non-refundable—even when cancellations are caused by government policy changes.
Final Thoughts
Portugal’s shift toward a high-skill migration model marks a significant turning point in its immigration strategy.
While the new Highly Skilled Work-Seeking Visa may eventually offer a clearer pathway for qualified professionals, the current lack of regulations has created a temporary—but major—gap. For now, thousands of applicants are left waiting, and employers across the country may soon feel the impact of reduced labor inflows.
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