Portugal Job Seeker Visa

The Portugal Job Seeker Visa is open for anyone who isn’t a European Union, Schengen or Portuguese resident. If a Canadian national doesn’t have an existing Portugal work visa or an employment contract in place to apply for one, they can apply for the Portugal Job Seeker Visa in order to start their journey to live and work in the country.

When granted, the Portugal Job Seeker Visa allows the visa holder a period of 120 days in which to secure a job offer. permit: point, they can choose to apply for a full Portugal work visa and residence permit; or, if not secured, to renew for another 60 days or to leave.

Canadian citizens should never travel to Portugal without a visa of some kind having been granted, as they are likely to be declined entry upon arrival.

Page Contents

• Do Canadians Need To Apply For The Portugal Job Seeker Visa?
• Portugal Job Seeker Visa Requirements For Canadian Citizens
• Supporting Document Requirements for the Job Seeker Visa for Canadian Nationals
• Applying For The Portugal Job Seeker Visa From Canada
• Portugal Job Seeker Visa Processing Time
• Renewing / Extending Portugal Job Seeker Visas
• How Can Total Law Help
• Frequently Asked Questions

Those who are already residents of the EU or Schengen Zone enjoy freedom of movement around Europe and so need not apply for a visa to travel to Portugal or to look for employment there.

However, Canada is far removed from these areas and so a visa must be granted to allow citizens entry into the country.

Canadian nationals are eligible to apply for a Portugal Job Seeker Visa if they match the following criteria:

• The applicant is aged over 18
• The applicant is currently a non-EU resident
• The applicant has a valid Canadian passport
• The applicant has a clean criminal record
• The applicant has financial means to support themselves without state intervention for the 120-day period of their visa’s validity
• The applicant has health insurance that covers them sufficiently for the duration of their stay in Portugal.

There is no requirement for an applicant to the Portugal Job Seeker Visa scheme to have an employment contract in place or be in negotiations with an organization to sign one. This visa is granted for holders to spend their time in the country applying for jobs and being interviewed for roles with the aim of securing permanent employment.

It should be noted that the application for a Portugal Job Seeker Visa will usually require an in-person visit to a Portuguese Embassy or Consulate, and so applicants must be ready and willing to travel to one if they’re not already geographically close.

In Canada, the central Portugal Embassy is found in Ottawa. Three Consulate Generals of Portugal can be found in Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver.

Applicants will need to submit a number of supporting documents with their visa application. These include:

• Visa application form completed and signed
• A valid Canadian passport that expires no sooner than 3 months after the intended end date of the visa
• Two passport sized photographs, taken to passport standards
• Proof of valid travel insurance for the duration of intended stay in Portugal, including provision for urgent medical assistance
• Criminal record certificate detailing a clean record
• Signed request for a further criminal record enquiry by the Portuguese Immigration and Border Services (SEF)
• Confirmation of intended travel reservation demonstrating return travel arrangements no later than the end of the intended visa period
• Proof of sufficient financial resources to support themselves during their stay in Portugal (usually equivalent to the sum of three month’s salary) OR
• A Term of Responsibility signed by a Portuguese citizen or resident guaranteeing food and accommodation for the applicant
• Proof of registration with the Portuguese IEFP
• (If resident anywhere other than Canada) Proof of current living situation; valid until no sooner than 3 months after the intended end date of the visa.

Additional documents may be requested by border services during the application processing period.

There is no set time for the processing of Job Seeker Visas, as additional information and documentation may be requested during the processing period which can cause delays. On average, it takes 60 days for a decision to be reached.

The Portuguese Job Seeker Visa is valid for a standard period of 120 days.

If a Job Seeker Visa Holder is successful in securing permanent employment during the 120-day period, they can apply for a Portuguese residence permit through the usual channels. This application will be supported by their new employer.

If a Job Seeker Visa Holder has not been successful in securing permanent employment during the 120-day period, they can apply to extend their visa. An extension may be granted for a period of up to an additional 60 days, but only grants a single entry to the country and so the visa holder should not leave Portugal.

Where a Job Seeker Visa has expired without the holder finding permanent employment and they have left Portugal, they may re-apply for the same visa class again after a period of one year.