Portugal Reduces Work Visa Issuance Following Action Plan for Migration

Portugal has significantly decreased the number of work visas granted to foreigners in the three months following the implementation of the Action Plan for Migration. According to recent reports, the country issued 24 percent fewer work visas in June, July, and August of 2024 compared to the same period in 2023.

In the summer months of 2024, Portuguese authorities granted 1,266 work visas to foreigners seeking employment, compared to 1,666 during the same period in 2023. While the issuance of work visas has seen a decline in the last three months, data from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs shows that Portugal granted more work visas overall between January and August 2024 than in the same period last year. In fact, 9,262 work visas were issued from January to August 2024, representing an approximate 15 percent increase compared to the first eight months of 2023.

Although the Ministry of Foreign Affairs did not disclose detailed statistics on work visas issued to specific nationalities, it noted that embassies in Luanda, Praia, New Delhi, São Paulo, São Tomé, Bissau, Maputo, Dili, Rio de Janeiro, and Bangkok were responsible for approving the highest number of work visas.

One of the key changes under the Action Plan for Migration is the requirement for foreigners to hold an employment contract before migrating to Portugal for work purposes. Non-EU citizens are no longer allowed to enter the country in search of employment without having secured a job beforehand. This means that anyone outside the EU wishing to work in Portugal must first obtain a signed work contract, followed by a work visa, before being permitted to enter the country.

When announcing these stricter measures, Portuguese Prime Minister Luís Montenegro emphasized that the new rules are intended to prevent excessive abuse of the migration system. Additionally, Montenegro highlighted that the country would now prioritize attracting foreign talent while introducing initiatives to help integrate migrants into Portuguese society.

The government has also stressed the importance of promoting regular migration to Portugal, with authorities paying special attention to reviewing entry rules to prevent irregular migration and human trafficking. These changes reflect a broader effort to regulate the flow of foreign workers into the country while ensuring that the system remains fair and secure.

By fLEXI tEAM