Portugal Ends Traditional Job-Seeking Visa

Key Point  

• Portugal eliminated its job-seeker visa categories on 23 October 2025 and replaced them with a skilled job-seeker visa category  

Job-Seeker Visa  

As of 23 October 2025, Portugal officially discontinued its standard job-seeking visa under Law No. 61/2025. Officials canceled all pending appointments for this visa type. As a result, the following changes will take effect:  

• The traditional job-seeking visa is no longer available. 
• Portuguese consulates and visa centers (VFS Global, BLS International, TLScontact) will not accept applications for this visa. 
• A new Skilled Job Seeker Visa will replace it, but applicants must wait to submit until officials issue further regulations.
• This change stems from an amendment to Article 57-A of the Foreigners’ Law (Law No. 23/2007). 

Applicants and holders of the visa are advised by the government to:  

• Do not attend appointments for the discontinued visa type. 
• Wait for official guidance on the new Skilled Job Seeker Visa, including eligibility and application procedures. 
• Monitor updates from Portuguese consulates or the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for regulatory developments. 

This shift reflects Portugal’s move toward a more targeted immigration strategy focused on attracting skilled talent. 

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