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Portugal Job Seeker Visa 2026: Does It Still Exist?
The new visa to look for qualified work is not yet available at consulates: it is waiting for the portaria (government order) that defines the required skills. The old job seeker visa was suspended on 23 October 2025.
For some years, the old Portugal job seeker visa (visto de procura de trabalho) was the way in for many Brazilians and other immigrants who wanted to come to Portugal without a job contract. In October 2025 this changed. This guide explains what the law says today, whether you can apply, and what alternatives exist.
What changed with Lei n.º 61/2025?
Lei n.º 61/2025, of 22 October, changed art. 57-A of the Foreigners Law (Lei n.º 23/2007). The visa is now called the “visa to look for qualified work” (visto para procura de trabalho qualificado) and:
- it can only be given to people with specialised technical skills;
- it allows the holder to do highly qualified professional work until the visa ends or until the residence permit is granted;
- the skills will be defined by a government portaria (order).
| Before (until 22/10/2025) | Now | |
|---|---|---|
| Name | Job seeker visa | Visa to look for qualified work |
| Who | Anyone looking for a job | People with specialised technical skills |
| Work allowed during the visa | Employed work | Highly qualified work |
| Availability | Consulates | Not yet available (waiting for portaria) |
Can I apply for the Portugal job seeker visa now?
In October 2026, no. The official MNE (Ministry of Foreign Affairs) page on this visa says it is not yet available at Portuguese consulates, while it waits for the necessary rules for article 57-A.
How will it work when it opens?
According to the text of the law:
- You apply for the visa at the consulate, meeting the general visa requirements (art. 52) and proving your specialised skills.
- The visa includes an AIMA appointment date within 120 days.
- If you start working during that period, you can apply for a residence permit under the general conditions of art. 77 (see residence permit).
- If the visa ends without a job or a process to get legal status, you must leave the country and can only apply for another visa of this type one year later.
The national visa fee is €110, and the decision time given by the MNE for the job seeker visa is 60 days.
What documents will be needed?
The MNE has not yet published the specific list. The general documents for national visas are:
- Application form and two photos
- Valid passport
- Travel insurance
- Criminal record certificate with apostille
- Means of subsistence (reference: minimum wage of €920 in 2026)
Alternatives in the meantime
| Situation | Alternative |
|---|---|
| You already have a job offer | Work visa (employed work) |
| You work remotely for clients/employers abroad | Digital nomad visa |
| You want to study and work part-time | Student visa |
| You have a pension or own income | D7 visa |
| You are from a CPLP country | CPLP residence permit |
Why did the visa change?
The old job seeker visa, created in 2022, let anyone enter Portugal to look for a job for 120 days. With the end of the manifestação de interesse in 2024 and the review of the Foreigners Law in 2025, lawmakers chose to limit this route to qualified profiles. Immigration for less qualified work now relies on visas with a prior contract and on bilateral agreements with third countries (art. 5 of Lei n.º 61/2025).
What to do while you wait for the portaria
- Prepare the general documents — passport, criminal record with apostille, diplomas and professional certificates.
- Ask for recognition of your qualifications if your profession is regulated in Portugal; it will almost certainly matter to prove “specialised technical skills”.
- Look for a job from abroad: with a contract promise you can already apply for the work visa.
- Follow the MNE visa website and the Diário da República (official gazette) for the publication of the portaria.
Common mistakes
- Trusting old information. Many websites and videos still describe the visa from before 2025.
- Paying middlemen to “book” a visa that does not exist. If the MNE says it is not available, nobody can book it.
- Entering as a tourist to look for work and staying. After 90 days without a residence card it is an illegal stay, and the manifestação de interesse no longer exists.
- Ignoring the one-year ban. If you do not get legal status during the visa, you cannot apply for another one straight away.
Keep reading
Frequently asked questions
Can I apply for the Portugal job seeker visa today?
According to the MNE visa website, the visa to look for qualified work is not yet available at consulates, while it waits for the rules implementing art. 57-A of the Foreigners Law.
How long does the job seeker visa last?
The law sets a period of 120 days, during which the visa includes an appointment at AIMA to apply for a residence permit.
What happens if I do not find a job in time?
You must leave the country and can only apply for a new visa of this type one year after the previous one expired (art. 57-A(3)).
Who counts as having specialised technical skills?
The list will be set by a portaria (government order) from the ministries of foreign affairs, migration, education and labour. Until it is published, there are no official criteria.