Portugal Job Seeker Visa From Qatar

Immigration to Portugal to look for work has become a route people use to move to Europe. This visa was launched by the Portuguese government in 2022 as the government’s attempt to reduce the shortage of skilled workers in the country.

The job visa is for non-EU nationals, and it lasts for 120 days. If you get a job before the 120 days have elapsed, you can switch to a work visa and obtain a residence permit. But, if you do not get a job by the end of the 120 days, you can apply for a 60-day extension.

You’ll have to leave the country immediately if you still cannot land a job after the 60-day extension.

While you are looking for a job that can sponsor your work visa application or waiting for your work resident permit to be approved, you can do menial jobs.

Page Contents

• Overview of Portugal Job Seeker Visa From Qatar
• Benefits of The Portugal Job Seeker Visa
• Eligibility Criteria for Portugal Job Seeker Visa
• Documents Required for Portugal Job Seeker Visa
• How to Apply for Portugal Job Seeker Visa From Qatar
• Processing Time for Portugal Job Seeker Visa
• Fees for Portugal Job Seeker Visa
• Validity Of Portugal Job Seeker Visa & Extension
• Comparison of Portugal Job Seeker Visa with Other Work Visas
• How Can Total Law Help?
• Frequently Asked Questions

There are certain documents you must present to the Portuguese Embassy when applying for a Job Seeker visa. These documents are necessary to prove that you meet the eligibility requirements.

Get these documents prepared ahead of your application:

• Valid Qatari passport. This should be valid for 3 months after your visa expires.
• Approved IEFP form that shows you have approval to apply for the visa.
• Residence permit if you are not currently in Qatar at the time of application.
• Completed Job Seeker visa application form. You must print out this form and sign it at the end. If you do not sign the form, your visa application will not be processed. This form can be obtained in the E visa Portugal section on the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
• Two digital passport photographs. They must be recent and meet the photo standards of the EU. Every detail of your face must show clearly. The photo must start from your head and end on your shoulders. Note that if you wear medicated glasses, you’ll need to ensure they are not reflecting the light from the camera.
• Criminal record certificate from Qatar that shows you have not committed any criminal offence. This must be issued to you no earlier than 3 months before your application date. Note that you’ll also need to get this from any country you have spent more than 3 months in the past 5 years.
• Filled and signed consent form that shows you permit the SEF to do a background check on the criminal record certificate you submitted. You can get this form from the official website of the SEF.
• Copy of your medical insurance policy certificate. Your policy must be acceptable in every country in the EU and will be worth at least €30000.
• Statement from your bank showing you have a minimum of €2,280. If you do not have this money, you could ask a family member or friend in Portugal to send you a sponsorship letter instead for your visa application.
• Completed IEFP form, which shows you have signed up for or intend to do so once you arrive in Portugal.
• Approved IEFP form.
• Cover letter explaining why you are travelling to Portugal.
• Resume outlining your skills and what you can do.
• Flight itinerary showing you have booked your flight to and from Portugal. This is necessary to prove that you will return to Qatar when your visa expires.
• Birth and marriage certificates to show that you will go back to Qatar due to personal relationship ties when your visa expires.
• Receipt of visa fee payments. Note that if you do not add this, your application will not be processed.

It is also vital to note that the Portuguese Embassy requires all supporting documents to be in Portuguese or English. If your documents are in Arabic, then you need to translate them and legalise the translation. You can pay for these services at the Portuguese Embassy in Qatar.

You will be required to submit both original and translated copies.

Civil documents like birth and marriage certificates must have an apostille.

To apply for the Job seeker visa, take the following steps:

Step 1: Register your interest in seeking a job with the IEFP. You can download this form from their website. You’ll be asked to fill in your details and the kind of job you want to get when you arrive in Portugal.

You’ll have to wait for the IEFP to approve your request before moving to the second step in the application process. Remember that the IEFP approval is not an entry permit into Portugal. You’ll still need to apply for a visa.

Step 2: The next step is the online application. Get the application form at the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Download the form, fill it out by hand and then sign it. Note that any unsigned visa application will not be processed.

Step 3: Gather the supporting documents that you need. Ensure that all your documents are valid and up to date. One of the reasons why many visa applications are rejected is usually because of incomplete or inaccurate documents presented.

Use the document section as a checklist when preparing your documents. If there is something you need clarification on regarding the required documents, speak with our team members and call +1 844 290 6312. You can also message us online.

Step 4: Schedule your document submission at the Embassy. You can schedule the document submission online, via email, telephone or at the Portuguese Embassy. Note that the Embassy does not accept walk-in submissions. You must schedule an appointment else, you will not be attended to.

Step 5: Pay the visa application fee. You can make this payment online using your credit card. It is also possible to pay via money order in favour of the Portuguese Embassy. You can also pay via bank transfer. It is also possible to pay the fees at the Embassy on the day of document submission. Just make sure you remember to include the receipts in the documents you’ll submit.

Step 6: On the scheduled date, visit the Embassy at Aljamie Street: 803, Zone 67, Building 31, PO Box: 24854, Al Dafna, Doha and drop off your documents with officers there. They will review your documents. If they are satisfied with what you submitted, they will collect your biometrics.

Step 7: After submitting your documents, you can then wait for a decision on your application. If you get visa approval, the Embassy will tell you where and when to pick up your passport. The visa will be attached to a blank page of your passport.

Step 8: Upon getting to Portugal, you will have to schedule an interview with the

Remember, if you find the process tedious, we can ease that burden and make the application on your behalf. Call  +44 (0)333 305 9375 or message us online.

The Embassy could take anywhere from 1 to 3 months before they can respond to your application. This time could be longer or even shorter, depending on the workload of the Embassy at the time you made your application. Another factor that could delay the processing time for your visa is when the Embassy is trying to verify some of the information and documents you submitted during the application.

There is no specific cost listed by the government of Portugal for the Job Seeker visa. The exact amount you will pay depends on the country you are from. You should, however, plan to pay between €75 to €90 when applying. The exact amount you must pay will be communicated when you apply for the visa online.

You’ll also need to pay €170 when you enter Portugal. This payment is made to the SEF so they can issue you a residence permit.

The validity of the Portugal Job Seeker visa is 120 days. This is the number of days the Portuguese Embassy will approve. This visa gives you only a single entry into Portugal.

If you do not succeed in getting a job after 120 days, you can apply to extend the visa. If your application is approved, you’ll get 60 days to look for work.

Below are some differences between the Job Seeker visa and other work visas:

Firstly, the Job Seeker visa does not require you to have an employment contract from a Portugal-based employer. You just need to move to Portugal to find a job that suits your skill set. On the other hand, other work visas would require showing that you have secured employment in Portugal when applying for a visa.

Secondly, the Job Seeker visa does not restrict you to a particular employer or location. You are free to go around Portugal looking for employment wherever you can find it.

Thirdly, the Job Seeker visa is not renewable and is not a route towards permanent residence or citizenship. This is in contrast to a work visa that is renewable as long as your employer wants you and can lead to a permanent settlement.

Finally, you cannot go to Portugal with your family on a Job Seeker visa. But you can move to Portugal with your family if you have other work visas.