Portugal•Europe

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Skilled Job Seeker Visa

Work PR PathwayThis visa can lead to permanent residency, the right to live and work here indefinitely without renewing your visa.

Closed to new applications — October 23, 2025

The original Job Seeker Visa was discontinued on 2025-10-23 under Law No. 61/2025 of October 22, 2025 which amended Article 57-A of Law No. 23/2007 (Foreigners' Law). All consular appointments for the old job seeking visa were cancelled from that date. A replacement Skilled Job Seeker Visa has been legislated (Article 57-A as amended) but as of 2026-06-21 is not yet open to applications — awaiting the necessary implementing regulation. Prospective applicants should monitor vistos.mne.gov.pt for when the new visa becomes available.

At a Glance

Processing Time

60 days

Estimated Cost

€110 EUR

Varies by filing options

Stay Duration

120 days (extendable by 60 days)

Renewable

Renewal

Renewable

Family

No dependents

PR Pathway

Yes

Sponsor

No job offer needed

Work

Remote not required

Official Information

Overview

Skilled job seeker residence permit discontinued October 2025; replaced by new visa under amended Article 57-A awaiting implementing regulation.

The Skilled Job Seeker Visa was discontinued on October 23, 2025, under Law No. 61/2025, which amended the Foreigners' Law. All consular appointments were cancelled from that date. A replacement Skilled Job Seeker Visa has been legislated under amended Article 57-A but remains unavailable as of mid-2026, pending implementing regulations.

Prospective applicants should monitor vistos.mne.gov.pt for when the new visa becomes available. The original visa required a bachelor's degree, €3,280 in savings, health insurance, and a clean criminal record. Processing took 60 days with a EUR 110 application fee. The permit allowed 120 days of job-seeking, extendable for an additional 60 days.

This visa is ideal for skilled professionals who previously sought entry to search for employment in Portugal without a prior job offer.

Conversion Paths

Visas you can typically switch to from this status.

Residence Visa for Subordinate Work (Visto de Residência para Exercício de Atividade Profissional Subordinada)

Portugal

Residence Visa for Subordinate Work (Visto de Residência para Exercício de Atividade Profissional Subordinada)

Validity2 years

Processing2–4 months

View Visa Details

D3 — Highly Qualified Activity Visa (D3)

Portugal

D3 — Highly Qualified Activity Visa (D3)

Validity2 years (renewable for 3-year periods)

Processing60 days

View Visa Details

Requirements

PUBLISHED REQUIREMENTS

Non-EU/EEA/Swiss citizenship

Age 18 or older

Registration with the IEFP (Institute of Employment and Vocational Training)

Proof of financial means (typically ~€3,280 in savings)

Valid travel insurance

Return flight ticket

Clean criminal record

KEY CRITERIA

Education

bachelor or higher

Min. Savings

3,280 EUR

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

Valid passport

Completed visa application form

IEFP registration proof

Proof of financial resources

Travel medical insurance

Proof of accommodation

Criminal record certificate

Motivation letter

Advantages & Considerations

Key Benefits

No job offer required to enter Portugal and begin professional job search
Initial 120-day validity extendable by 60 days provides time to secure employment
EUR 110 application fee among Portugal's lowest for residency visas
Direct conversion to residence permit upon securing permanent employment
Renewable permit pathway to permanent residency after 5 years
Dual intent permitted—applicants can pursue employment or relocation transitions
Bachelor's degree threshold gives access to skilled professional visa tier

Worth Knowing

Requires EUR 3,280 minimum savings demonstrated to support job search period
Bachelor's degree or equivalent mandatory—no pathway for workers without tertiary qualification
Must secure permanent employment within 120–180 day validity window
Single-entry visa limits travel flexibility during job search period
No work authorization—cannot engage in employment during search period
Discontinued October 23, 2025—no new applications accepted; all consular appointments cancelled
Replacement Skilled Job Seeker Visa legislated but not yet open; awaiting implementing regulation

Application Process

Verify qualifications: Ensure bachelor's degree or equivalent qualification

Prepare documentation: Gather educational credentials, CV, proof of funds

Apply at consulate: Submit skilled job seeker visa application

Pay fee: EUR 110

Await decision: Processing takes 30-90 days

Receive visa: Collect residence visa

Search for employment: Look for job within 12-month validity

Application Forms

National Visa Application Form

—

Verified Claims (3)

Last verified Jun 20, 2026

Discontinued

true

vistos.mne.gov.pt

Discontinued At

2025-10-23

vistos.mne.gov.pt

Discontinued Note

The original Job Seeker Visa was discontinued on 2025-10-23 under Law No. 61/2025 of October 22, 202…

vistos.mne.gov.pt

Official Information

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Overview

Skilled job seeker residence permit discontinued October 2025; replaced by new visa under amended Article 57-A awaiting implementing regulation.

This visa is ideal for skilled professionals who previously sought entry to search for employment in Portugal without a prior job offer.

Requirements

PUBLISHED REQUIREMENTS

Non-EU/EEA/Swiss citizenship

Age 18 or older

Registration with the IEFP (Institute of Employment and Vocational Training)

Proof of financial means (typically ~€3,280 in savings)

Valid travel insurance

Return flight ticket

Clean criminal record

KEY CRITERIA

Education

bachelor or higher

Min. Savings

3,280 EUR

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

Valid passport

Completed visa application form

IEFP registration proof

Proof of financial resources

Travel medical insurance

Proof of accommodation

Criminal record certificate

Motivation letter

Advantages & Considerations

Key Benefits

No job offer required to enter Portugal and begin professional job search
Initial 120-day validity extendable by 60 days provides time to secure employment
EUR 110 application fee among Portugal's lowest for residency visas
Direct conversion to residence permit upon securing permanent employment
Renewable permit pathway to permanent residency after 5 years
Dual intent permitted—applicants can pursue employment or relocation transitions
Bachelor's degree threshold gives access to skilled professional visa tier

Worth Knowing

Requires EUR 3,280 minimum savings demonstrated to support job search period
Bachelor's degree or equivalent mandatory—no pathway for workers without tertiary qualification
Must secure permanent employment within 120–180 day validity window
Single-entry visa limits travel flexibility during job search period
No work authorization—cannot engage in employment during search period
Discontinued October 23, 2025—no new applications accepted; all consular appointments cancelled
Replacement Skilled Job Seeker Visa legislated but not yet open; awaiting implementing regulation