Portugal vows to start issuing work visas within a month

It was reported that immigrants applying for Portugal’s work visas face significant delays and long processing times.

According to local media, migrant workers from Brazil are waiting more than six months for their visas to be issued.

To solve the problem, the Portuguese government aims to grant work visas to migrant workers in less than a month, the Minister of the Presidency of the Council of Ministers, António Leitão Amaro, has said.

“We have made our commitment, and you can make yours. We have added 50 more employees to the consular posts, we have accelerated the response capacity of AIMA (Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum), and we have guaranteed a response time”.

Background to the visa delays

In June 2023, the Portuguese government abolished the Expression of Interest program. This program permitted all persons to enter the country as tourists and later apply to work.

The abolishment of the EOI has caused significant visa delays. Some employers are frustrated by these delays and warning the government that without workers, the country’s economy would lose momentum to growth targets.

Source: Schengen.news