Visa delays have sparked concerns among Brazilian workers who fear they risk losing their job offers in Portugal, EU Helpers reports.
Some Brazilian nationals claim that they have to wait for at least 120 days for their work visas to be processed. Jonas Gutemberg da Silva, from Pernambuco, told Public Brazil that he received the visa on June 26, while the visa application for work purposes was submitted on February 20.
Visa Delays Risking Job Opportunities
Portugal’s delays in visa processing are bringing obstacles to nationals of Brazil who already have a job, studies or rented properties in this country.
Brazilians account for about 25 per cent of the foreign population in Portugal. In addition, the figures from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MNE) revealed that between 2022 and 2023, a total of 89 per cent increase was registered in the number of Portuguese visa applications from Brazilian nationals.
Felipe Quadros Pereira from Rio Grande do Sul told Oglobal that he left his job in his country Brazil, after he had a contract with a company in Portugal and has been waiting for a work visa since July 19.
End of Expression of Interest Route
In June this year, the government of Portugal announced a total of 41 measures of the Migration Action Plan. Among the changes introduced was also the abolishment of the Expression of Interest Route.
The Expression of Interest route permitted non-EU foreign nationals to travel to Portugal by obtaining a tourist visa, obtaining employment, and then submitting an expression of interest in order to acquire a residency permit.
Announcing the new changes, Prime Minister Luís Montenegro said it is necessary to regulate immigration to give dignity to people.
The decision means that Brazilians travelling to Portugal on tourist visas can only visit Portugal as tourists. If they receive a job offer, they are required to return to their country of origin and apply for the appropriate visas and permits through the Portuguese Consulate before returning to Portugal to accept the job offer.
Based on the figures from the Portuguese Immigration and Borders Service (SEF) about 350,000 visa applications are awaiting processing by authorities in Portugal which could take about 18 months to clear.
