Portugal Working Holiday Visa for Canadian Citizens

Portugal’s working holiday visa, officially named the Temporary Stay visa, is designed for foreign citizens who want to enjoy a holiday whilst working or studying in the country.

It is valid for 12 months and grants you the right to work for a duration of up to 6 months or study for up to 4 months.

You do not need a formal job or internship offer in Portugal to apply but all costs associated with the trip (including your visa, your travel there and back, and living expenses) must be paid for by you.

It is worth noting that this specific working holiday visa does not allow anyone to enter the country with you as a ‘dependent’. This means that if you wish to travel with family such as your children, you will not be eligible and will need to apply for a different visa type.

Page Contents

• Portugal Working Holiday Visa – Overview
• Do I Need A Visa?
• Portugal Working Holiday Visa – Benefits
• Portugal Working Holiday Visa – Am I Eligible?
• Portugal Working Holiday Visa – Requirements For Canadian Citizens
• Portugal Working Holiday Visa – Required Documents
• Portugal Working Holiday Visa – The Application Process
• Portugal Working Holiday Visa – Application Processing Times
• Portugal Working Holiday Visa – Tips for a Successful Application
• Why Visit Portugal?
• Job Opportunities in Portugal
• How Total Law Can Help
• Frequently Asked Questions

On 3rd May 2018, Portugal and Canada signed a memorandum. The primary objective is to promote youth mobility allowing Canadian citizens aged 18-35 to live and work in Portugal for short periods of time.

However, all non-EU nationals still need a visa to work in Portugal, and for individual Canadian travellers aged 18-35, Portugal’s working holiday visa is the go-to.

There are various benefits to gaining a working holiday visa in Portugal, however, one of the biggest draws is that this visa allows you the right to visit all countries that make up the Schengen area without having to apply for any further visitor visas.

Many European countries are part of the Schengen area including popular destinations such as Germany, Belgium and Malta.

The eligibility requirements for the Temporary Stay visa in Portugal can differ depending on which country you are applying from. If you’re a Canadian citizen you must be aged between 18-35 and meet all of the specific requirements that are set out by the Portuguese Labor Authorities. In addition, the work must be incidental to the holiday, however, you do have the right to provide paid-for services. You must write a declaration letter as part of your application that states you intend to work incidentally whilst you enjoy holidays.

To be eligible for a working holiday visa in Portugal, all Canadian applicants must:

1. Be between the ages of 18-35.
2. Hold a valid Canadian passport for the duration of your stay.
3. Hold a prepaid return ticket or have sufficient funds to enable you to do so.
4. Possess sufficient financial resources to support yourself for the duration of your stay.
5. Obtain adequate health insurance for the duration of your stay covering hospital costs.
6. Pass criminal record verification.
7. Supply the Portuguese Labor Authorities with all requested legal documents needed to support your visa application.

As part of the visa application, you must supply the Portuguese Labor Authorities with legal documents as evidence of your eligibility. The current standard documents required for Canadian citizens are as follows:

• Completed visa application form.
• Valid passport – valid for at least 12 months.
• Proof of round-trip ticket or evidence of sufficient funds that enable you to get one.
• Proof that you possess sufficient financial resources to cover your maintenance costs throughout the duration of your stay.
• Proof of any relevant qualifications.
• Proof of health insurance valid for the duration of your stay.
• Criminal record certificate.
• 1 Passport photograph.
• A statement certifying your intention to work incidentally to your holiday.

It is worth noting that the Portuguese authorities may ask for additional documentation, such as any work offer or registration in a high-education institution, should they require it. You are obligated to provide these documents in order to be successful in your application.

Processing times for Portuguese work visas can differ depending on which specific visa you are applying for. However, generally, applicants applying for a Temporary Stay visa that lasts equal to or more than 91 days can expect to wait between 30 and 60 days for a decision.

To ensure your application has the best chance of being successful, there are certain things you can do and double-check before you submit your completed application. For example:

• Make sure you have all of the correct documents when you submit your application as incorrect or missing documents can result in a visa refusal.
• When attending your appointment, arrive promptly and in good time. Missing an appointment can prolong the application process.
• Plan ahead and allow time for your visa application to be processed before you travel.

Portugal is a popular destination choice for many Canadians and other foreign citizens from across the globe. It is situated on the southwest coast of Europe, bordering Spain, and houses the group of islands that make up the Madeira and Azores archipelagos.

With its mild climate and 3,000 hours of sunshine per year, holidaymakers can enjoy Portugal’s 832 kilometres of Atlantic coastline. Visitors can expect beautiful beaches with outstanding scenery and a variety of watersport activities such as surfing, windsurfing and kitesurfing.

Portugal’s cities are known for being vibrant, open and friendly, with a wonderful sense of hospitality. They have lots to offer in terms of culture and food and as a multicultural country, Portugal celebrates a diverse range of events. Music, art and film festivals happen throughout the year and there are some spectacular national parks and historical landmarks to visit including castles, pre-Roman and Roman temples, historical villages, palaces and even prehistoric art sites.

With its Mediterranean climate and lifestyle, Portugal’s economy relies somewhat on tourism. With the services sector dominating the economy, there are lots of job opportunities for English-speaking temporary workers (such as hotel or restaurant staff) and opportunities for graduates such as English teachers.

In addition, Portugal is a world leader in many industries from renewable energies to ICT. Global companies are now choosing to invest in Portugal because of its brilliant infrastructure, advanced communications systems and economic environment, which is creating even more job opportunities for foreign workers.

However, Portugal has one of the lowest unemployment rates in the world making competition somewhat fierce. Whilst there are plenty of jobs available for foreign English speakers, employers may look for candidates who possess extra skills such as knowledge of the Portuguese language. Though it is not essential, reading, writing and speaking the Portuguese language could put you a step ahead.

To find employment in Portugal you can look online for openings yourself, or you can contact a recognized company through International Experience Canada (IEC) that can help you with all aspects of securing an employment contract abroad.