Are you thinking about getting a job in Portugal? Staying and working in Portugal as a Pakistani requires a valid visa. The Portugal job seeker visa may be your pathway to it. In this article, we will delve into the Portugal job seeker visa, including its eligibility, application process, relative tips and more.
What Is a Portugal Job Seeker Visa?
The Portugal job seeker visa was launched in 2022 to address labor shortages in Portugal. It does not put limitations on professions for non-EU foreigners who look for employment in Portugal. Non-EU foreigners with visa can be engaged in various industries in Portugal depending on their personal experience and aspirations, such as technology, tourism, healthcare, renewable energy, etc.
Holding a Portugal job seeker visa allows you to enter Portugal without a job and stay in the country for up to 180 days. It can be extended for an additional 60 days to secure employment. If you manage to find a job during this period, you can apply for a work and residence permit. If not, you can not stay in the country any longer.
Top Advantages of Getting a Portugal Job Seeker Visa
Apart from allowing applicants to stay in Portugal for a period of time, the Portugal job seeker visa has many advantages as follows:
Exploration in a thriving job market
It gives you the chance to explore the Portugal job market. Portugal has a stable economy and offers diverse choices in the job market. Thriving industries in Portugal include technology, tourism, health care and renewable energy.
Diverse opportunities
Despite the thriving industries, applicants will not be restricted to a specific industry or position. You can pursue any job opportunity you are interested in.
A habitable environment
While you are looking for a suitable job, you can enjo life in Portugal, a beautiful country with a warm climate and low living costs.
Visa-free travels
Having a Portugal job seeker visa not only allows you to travel within Portugal, but also you can travel within the Schengen area visa-free, which is made up of 29 European countries.
Language advantages
Portugal’s official language is Portuguese and English is its second most used language. For Pakistanis, communication in English would be an advantage when searching for employment since English is one of the official languages of Pakistan. On top of that, you can learn Portuguese under a first languague environment.
A pathway to long-term residence
The Portugal job seeker visa can be your first step toward permanent residency in Portugal. After you secure your job, you can transition to a work visa and apply for Portugal citizenship eventually. A residence permit will give you access to Portual’s public health, social security and education system while Portuguese and EU citizenship allows you to live and work in EU countries as well as enjoy the benefits of consular protection, free trade agreements and more.
Short processing time
The processing time for a Portugal job seeker visa is usually 30 days. You don’t need to plan your trip too far ahead of time.
Who Is Eligible for Portugal Job Seeker Visa Application?
As appealing as it is, not every foreigner is eligible to apply for a Portugal job seeker visa. Here are the eligibility requirements:
Non-EU nationals
The visa is designed for foreigners outside of the EU because EU citizens can work and live in any EU country freely including Portugal. A Pakistani applicant will meet this requirement certainly.
No criminal record
You need to go through a background check run by the SEF (Portuguese Immigration and Borders Service) when you apply for the visa. No criminal record on the applicant is allowed. If you have a record of a committed crime, you will be rejected.
Valid passport
A valid passport is required and it should remain valid 3 months after your Portugal job seeker visa expires. Make sure to renew your passport if it is necessary.
Health insurance
The Consulate requires you to present health insurance with the following criteria:
- Minimum coverage of €30,000
- Valid and applicable in the Schengen Area, including Portugal
- Valid for at least 4 months
- cover for repatriation and emergency evacuation
Financial proof
You need to prove that you have a saving of at least 3 months of minimum wage in Portugal which is €2,280 in total. This can be proved through a bank statement. An alternative to prove your financial capability is to have a person who lives in Portugal legally covered your cost of food, housing, repatriation, etc.
Required Documents for Portugal Job Seeker Visa Application
Having understood the eligibility requirements, you need to know what exactly you should bring along to the Portuguese Consulate when you apply. Here is the list for required documents:
- Passport or travel document with validity of at least 3 months after the visa expires.
- Photocopy of the passport/travel document’s biodata page.
- Completed and signed application form.
- 2 recent 35×45 mm passport photos.
- Photocopy of criminal history certificate issued by authority from your home country or where you have lived for the past years.
- Filled out a consent form for background check by SEF.
- Proof of legal status.
- Photocopy of health insurance of €30,000 worth.
- Photocopy of your flight itinerary showing place of departure and destination.
- Bank statement to prove you have at least €2,280 to cover living expenses in Portugal for 3 months.
- Sponsorship letter from a friend or family in Portugal, if you can’t provide financial proof.
- Filled out the IEFP form.
- Photocopy of the approved IEFP form.
- Proof of accommodation. Rental agreements or hotel confirmations are acceptable.
- Letter saying the reason why you want to look for employment in Portugal.
- Photocopy of your resume.
The Complete Process to Apply for Portugal Job Seeker Visa
The application process for a Portugal job seeker visa can not be completed entirely online, but some of the steps can be done through the IEFP (Institute of Employment and Vocational Training) official website to make it more efficient. Here are the steps:
Register on IEFP website and Fill out the Form
Go to the IEFP website and find the application form for a Portugal job seeker visa online apply. Fill out the application form with your detailed personal information including name, passport number, professional experience and so on. Click “Submit” after it is completed.
Receive a confirmation from IEFP
If you have provided all the information correctly, an e-mail from the IEFP will be sent to you, confirming you are approved by the IEFP to start the application process.
Schedule an Appointment for an Interview
All visa applications to Portugal must be scheduled. You should send a request to sconsular.islamabad@mne.pt to make an appointment. Go to the website of the Embassy of Portugal in Pakistan and find out how to write the appointment request letter. After that, you will be contacted for an appointment date.
That being said, the Embassy of Portugal has announced that no appointments for job seeker visas are available for the year 2024. Reopening for appointments for the year 2025 will be published on its website in the future.
Attend the Interview
Once you have secured an appointment with the Embassy, gather all the necessary documents and take them with you to the interview on the scheduled date.
Claim Portugal job seeker visa
If your documents provided are approved, you can pick up your Portugal job seeker visa at the Embassy.
Portugal Job Seeker Visa Fee
During your application process, there is a fee for the Portugal job seeker visa application. The current rate is €90 for each application. Whether your application will be approved or not, it must be paid. In case you get rejected, there is no guarantee for a full refund.
Portugal Job Seeker Visa Processing Time
Due to the high workload of the Embassy of Portugal in Pakistan, it may take up to 10 working days for you to receive the e-mail for the application appointment. For the processing time of the visa itself, there is no guarantee from the Embassy. Normally, it takes 30 to 90 days to approve or decline an application. If you need to know the precise processing time, please contact the Embassy.
Portugal Job Seeker Visa Validity & Extension
A Portugal job seeker visa is valid for 120 days, approximately 4 months. You can search for employment during this period, but if you fail to get a job within 4 months, you can apply for an extension for 60 more days. The extension can only be applied once and you should present the proof of registration with the IEFP as well as a declaration explaining the reason for your extension. In case you still can’t find a job during the extension period, you must leave Portugal.
Additional Tips for Transitioning from Job Seeker to Work Visa Holder
One of the benefits of holding a Portugal job seeker visa is that it helps you transition to a work visa, which means you are on the way to building a life in the country. Here are some tips for settling in Portugal:
- To become a work visa holder, you need to secure a job while your job seeker visa is valid. An employment contract must be signed between you and your employer.
- Once you secure a job, you can apply for a resident permit which gives you access to Portugal’s public health, social security and more.
- The Portugal work visa can be applied at a local Pakistani Embassy. You need to prepare relevant documents and go through an interview at the Embassy.
- To find jobs in Portugal, we suggest you visit the IEFP location for help or search for job offers online. Check out these websites:
- If you want to learn Portuguese to enhance your advantage for employment, you can take some language courses as follows:
FAQ
What is the success rate of job seeker visas in Portugal?
If you are eligible and provide the proper documents, the success rate is high.
Is Portugal’s job seeker visa open in 2024 & 2025?
Portugal’s job seeker visa appointment is not available in 2024 anymore, but it will reopen in 2025.
Do I need to know Portuguese to apply for job seeker visa?
No. Non-EU nationals are eligible to apply for a Portugal job seeker visa. It is not necessary for applicants to know Portuguese.
What happens if I don’t find a job before my job seeker visa expires?
If you haven’t extended your job seeker visa, you can apply for an extension to stay for an additional 60 days. If you still don’t find a job by the end of the visa validity, you must leave Portugal.
Which country is best for a job seeker visa?
Based on the job market and accessibility to accommodation, the top 5 countries for a job seeker visa are Portugal, Germany, Sweden, Austria and UAE.
Conclusion
Portugal is a country with a stable economy and welcoming environment. The Portugal job seeker visa is a great opportunity for Pakistanis who are interested in working and eventually living permanently in Portugal. From its advantages to its application process, we have gone through all aspects of the job seeker visa. Hope it helps you get started with your plan.
Dolores Xiao