The Portuguese government made an announcement that is having an impact on many foreign workers in Portugal. All visa applications to look for work in Portugal scheduled from this Thursday, October 23rd, will be cancelled. According to SIC Notícias, the government’s decision stems from the transition to a new visa category intended exclusively for qualified work.
According to the office of the Minister of State and Foreign Affairs, Portuguese consular posts and external service centers, such as VFS Global, BLS International and TLScontact, will no longer accept applications for the traditional visa until the regulations for the new model are officially published.
New criteria for work visa
The same source explains that the work search visa will be replaced by the qualified work visa, aimed at professionals with specialized technical skills. However, the publication adds, it will only be possible to submit applications when the regulations detailing the requirements are in force, as established in the new Foreigners Law.
Law No. 61/2025, of October 22, 2025, published in the Official Gazette, formalizes these changes. The objective is to limit access to the Portuguese labor market to qualified roles, aligning the entry of workers with the country’s needs.
Impact on existing schedules
The publication writes that all previously scheduled orders will be automatically cancelled. Interested parties will have to wait for the publication of the regulations that will detail which functions and competencies fall under the new visa.
According to the same source, until the ordinance is published, no application can be accepted, forcing candidates to follow the official channels of the government and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for future instructions.
Future procedures and deadlines
He adds that no dates have yet been announced for the opening of qualified visa applications. Consular posts and external service providers must adapt their procedures when the regulations come into force.
This change aims to align the granting of visas with the needs of the labor market and create a more careful process for foreign workers. For those who had an appointment, the publication emphasizes that cancellation is immediate, and the preparation of documentation must await the rules that will be officially defined.
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