The Job Seeker Visa allows foreign citizens to enter and remain in Portugal with the intent of finding a job.
They’ll be able to remain in the country for a maximum period of 6 months (120 days, renewable for another 60 days), and they’ll be allowed to carry on their job search until this period elapses, or until a temporary residence permit is granted to them.
Once the Visa’s holder finds a job in the country, they’ll be able to request the residence permit. However, in case the Visa’s time limit expires without an employment relationship having been established, nor the process of requesting the granting of a residence permit having begun, the Visa’s holder must leave the country. They’ll be able to reapply one year after the Visa’s expiry date.
Requirements
In order to obtain the Job Seeker Visa, the foreign citizen needs to meet the following requirements:
- Not be subject to a removal order and not be currently prevented from entering and remaining in Portugal;
- Not be currently identified by the Schengen Information System (SIS) as prevented from entering and remaining in an EU country, or in any other country where the respective Convention applies;
- Not be someone for whom an alert has been issued for the purposes of refusing entry in Portugal, under the terms of article 33 in the SEF Integrated Information System;
- Have the required means of subsistence to remain in the country while searching for a job;
- Have a valid travel document;
- Have travel insurance;
- Have acquired the transport ticket to return to the destination of origin, if required;
- Have parental authorization, or an equivalent document (only applies to underage citizens).
How to obtain
The application for the Job Seeker Visa must be presented by the foreign citizen at a Portuguese consular post and consular section. Once submitted, the applicant is provided information regarding the entry and stay in national territory, the legally required documentation, as well as the rights, duties, and guarantees they’re entitled to.
Please review the general and specific documentation required for obtaining this Visa.
Learn more
For more information regarding the Job Seeker Visa, please read its relevant legislation (Articles 52 and 57-A). You can also gather more details by accessing the Portuguese Diplomatic Portal.