Portugal Seasonal Work Visa From UAE

If you are from the UAE, acquiring a short-stay Seasonal Visa or a Temporary-stay Visa is necessary. The visa allows you to reside for either 90 days or 9 months, depending on the visa you apply for and there is also the possibility of extending for a further 3 months.

A Seasonal Work Visa provides multiple benefits including employment rights and the opportunity to live and work in Portugal. Seasonal workers are also eligible for social security benefits, such as healthcare and unemployment insurance.

As a UAE citizen applying for the visa, you will need a work offer from a Portuguese company before applying. The position must be seasonal and adhere to specific standards. You will also need to meet the health requirements, have a valid passport, sufficient travel insurance and pay a visa fee.

Page Contents

• Portugal Seasonal Work Visa From UAE: An Overview
• Portugal Seasonal Visa: Types of Jobs and Industries
• Eligibility and Conditions for a Seasonal Work Visa in Portugal
• Documents Required for a Seasonal Work Visa
• Obtaining a Seasonal Work Visa in Portugal From the UAE
• Portugal Seasonal Work Visa Fees and Processing Times
• Rights and Protections for Seasonal Workers in Portugal
• Extending Your Stay in Portugal: Options and Requirements
• Documents Required for an Extension
• How Total Law Can Help
• FAQs

Some examples of high-demand seasonal jobs and industries that you can work while on a Portugal Seasonal Visa include:

Working as a representative for a hotel, bar, or club: These types of positions provide a base salary with the potential for earning an additional commission. June, July, August, and September are usually when these jobs are available.

Hospitality: Positions within the hospitality industry are often seasonal and popular with overseas workers.

Childcare: The demand for childcare workers increases in the summer, making it the ideal option if you’re looking for seasonal employment.

Your work must also be mentioned in the following industries recognized by the Portuguese immigration authorities:

• Hospitality and dining.
• Food and beverage industries.
• Retail and wholesale commerce.
• Construction.
• Land transport.
• Agriculture.

The main opportunities for advancement and career development for a seasonal worker are networking and the opportunity for permanent residence.

You must meet the eligibility requirements and have the correct paperwork to be approved for a Seasonal Work Visa.

The criteria you must meet are:

• Be at least 18 years old.
• Have an arranged job offer from a Portuguese employer.
• Clean criminal record

The documentation needed includes

• Visa application form.
• Passport which is valid for up to six months after the end of your stay and includes two blank pages.
• Proof of return travel to the UAE.
• A work contract from a Portuguese employer that specifies the location, time, duration, pay, vacation time and type of work to be undertaken,
• Evidence of accommodation in Portugal, this can be a rental agreement or a letter from your employer.
• An authorization form allowing the Immigration and Border Services (SEF) access to Portuguese criminal records.
• Approved medical insurance from a recognized provider
• To demonstrate (if necessary) adherence to national legislative standards for regulated professions.
• Two recent passport photos
• Proof of financial means to support yourself in Portugal, such as bank statements

Once you are eligible and have an offer of employment, you can obtain and complete the visa application form, which is available on the website of your nearest Portuguese Embassy or Consulate.

You must submit your application form, along with the necessary supporting documentation, to the Portuguese Embassy or Consulate in the UAE. At this point in your application, you should be prepared to pay the visa application fee.

If you need support when applying for a Seasonal Work Visa then reach out to Total Law for advice and guidance to avoid any potential delays or even refusal.

It can take 15 to 60 days to process the Seasonal Worker Visa application so you can expect to be issued a visa within two to three months. You will also need to pay the processing cost of €110.

Some factors can impact how quickly your application for the visa is processed. For example, the accuracy of your application form and supporting documents can affect the success rate of your application. The time of year and workload of the Portuguese embassy or consulate where you are applying will also have a measurable impact.

You can contact our expert Immigration Lawyers at Total Law if you have any concerns or difficulties regarding the time it will take to process your application.

Having the correct and necessary documentation, sending in your application well before the date of travel, and maintaining regular contact with the Portuguese Embassy to get updates on your application are all things you can do to shorten the processing time.

All seasonal employees are entitled to equal treatment under Portuguese labor legislation. As a result, where appropriate and on a pro-rata basis, seasonal employees are entitled to the same rights and benefits as full-time employees. This includes the monthly minimum wage, which is €870.

Employment Contract

The employment contract should clearly outline important information, and the employer is required to provide written notice of the following working conditions within 60 days of the start of employment:

• Employer’s name.
• Location of the job.
• Terms and conditions that apply.
• Start and end of the contract.
• Number of hours worked by the employee.
• Rate of pay.
• Any instruments used for collective bargaining.
• The employee’s compensation fund.
• The employer’s accident insurance policy.

Whether paid for or offered without charge, accommodations made by an employer for an employee must ensure that the employee complies with all applicable health and safety standards.

These clauses will need to be a part of the employment contract. A monthly income matching the cost and housing terms may be required if it is provided by the company for a charge.

However, this income cannot be deducted automatically from the seasonal employee’s pay or equal to more than 20% of their wage.

Payslip

Employees are entitled to receive a monthly payslip from their employer. Each payslip should include information about their compensation. Payroll records must also be kept for at least five years and are subject to audit.

Working environment

Seasonal workers in Portugal from the UAE have to work in a safe and hygienic environment. The employer is required to abide by the preventative concepts, recommendations, and regulations about workplace safety, sanitation, and health.

Employers are also required to undertake relevant corporate H&S initiatives; this entails setting up and maintaining suitable H&S services and other preventive measures, such as performing risk exposure assessments, administering tests, and other activities related to occupational risks and health monitoring. The employer will also need to provide an internal structure that covers first aid, fire fighting, and employee evacuation in cases of critical and immediate danger.

For UAE workers, there are no specific travel or mobility restrictions as you are free to move within Portugal. It’s crucial to notify the local authorities of your accommodation so they can keep track of your whereabouts.

On the other hand, leaving Portugal during your work period can affect your visa as your eligibility for extensions or the validity of your visa may be impacted if you briefly leave the country.

Citizens from the UAE can be granted an extension if they wish to work in Portugal for longer than what was initially specified in the visa.

Holders of a Seasonal Visa will need to submit their application to extend their visa. With SEF’s pre-booking system, appointments for any customer service bureau can be made by phone or online.

The following documents must be sent to a SEF office when applying for a Seasonal Work Visa extension:

• Two recent passport photographs
• Passport or another valid travel document.
• Evidence of adequate financial means
• Proof of accommodation
• Clean criminal record
• Return ticket, unless the stay exceeds 90 days and the travel reservation has been confirmed and documented with the return date.
• An extended work contract or a declaration from the employer attesting to an extension of the contract or a new contract if starting with another employer.
• Proof of tax administration and social security enrolment.
• Evidence of adequate illness protection.
• Employer-provided health and occupational accident insurance.

With the exception of extraordinary circumstances, applications for extensions of stay must be submitted within 30 days of the day the approved stay period expires.