Portugal Job Seeker Visa From Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabian citizens who hold a Portugal Job Seeker visa are allowed to enter the country and search for jobs. You must provide a round-trip flight ticket before you are granted this visa.
If you need more clarifications about obtaining a Job Seeker visa from Saudi Arabia, Total Law can help. Our immigration lawyers are readily available to offer you all the assistance you may need. Call us today on +44 (0)333 305 9375 or message us online.
Portugal Job Seeker Visa From Saudi Arabia: An Overview
Portugal continues to attract foreign workers due to its robust economy, emphasis on work-life balance, and high standard of living.
A variety of work opportunities have also been facilitated by Portugal’s economic expansion, particularly in industries like renewable energy, technology, tourism, and services.
The Portugal Job Seeker visa is designed for Saudi Arabian citizens and other non-EU nationals who want to enter Portugal and look for new job opportunities.
You will only be allowed to work for your employer in Portugal until your Job Seeker visa expires unless you obtain a residence permit to remain in the country. Unlike the Portugal Work visa, this visa does not require you to have a job offer in advance.
Saudi Arabian nationals and other applicants for the Job Seeker visa are allowed to take up menial jobs while seeking employment or waiting for the approval of their work or residence permit. You are permitted to remain in Portugal for up to 120 days (4 months) while searching for work in your field of expertise.
As a Portugal Job Seeker visa holder, you may submit an application for a work and residence permit if you secure employment during those 120 days.
You may, however, request a 60-day (2-month) extension if you are unable to find employment within that time frame. But if you are unable to find employment following the extension, you must depart the country without delay.
Page Contents
- Portugal Job Seeker Visa From Saudi Arabia: An Overview
- Portugal Job Seeker Visa: Eligibility For Saudi Arabian Citizens
- Portugal Job Seeker Visa Requirements: Everything You Need to Know
- Is a Job Offer Needed for the Portugal Job Seeker Visa?
- Cost of Portugal Job Seeker Visa: A Breakdown
- How to Apply for the Portugal Job Seeker Visa From Saudi Arabia
- Portugal Job Seeker Visa Processing Time: What to Expect
- Portugal Job Seeker Visa Validity and Extension Opportunities
- The Benefits of Portugal Job Seeker Visa: Why Choose Work In Portugal?
- Drawbacks of The Portuguese Job Seeker Visa
- Obtaining Residency Via The Job Seeker Visa: Is It Possible?
- How Can Total Law Help?
- Frequently Asked Questions
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Portugal Job Seeker Visa: Eligibility For Saudi Arabian Citizens
Saudi Arabian citizens are required to meet certain eligibility criteria to enter Portugal and look for job opportunities. The eligibility criteria Saudi Arabian citizens must meet for a Portugal Job Seeker visa include:
- You must have no criminal record
- You should hold a valid Saudi Arabian international passport
- You must be a non-EU citizen
- You are required to have health insurance worth €30,000 to pay unplanned medical bills during your stay in Portugal
- You should have sufficient health insurance to cater for your needs while you are in Portugal.
Portugal Job Seeker Visa Requirements: Everything You Need to Know
Before you are granted a Portugal Job Seeker visa as a Saudi Arabian citizen, you are required to meet several requirements. They include:
Application Form of a National Visa
As a Saudi Arabian applicant, you are required to provide an application form of a National visa. This form is typically used to fill out the details required for your Portugal Job Seeker visa application and duly signed by you.
Valid Passport Requirement
Saudi Arabian citizens applying for a Portugal Job Seeker visa are required to provide their valid Saudi Arabian international passport or an alternative travel document. Your passport must be valid for about 3 months beyond the expected date your visa should expire.
Passport-Sized Photographs
You are required to provide 2 passport-sized photographs. They must have been taken recently and should comply with the Portuguese visa application guidelines.
Non-EU Citizen
You must be a non-EU national before your application for a Job Seeker visa will be considered. The reason is that EU citizens can enter and work, study, or stay in Portugal for 90 days without a visa.
Regular Status
As a Saudi Arabian citizen, you are required to provide evidence of regular status which must be valid beyond the expected expiration date of your Job Seeker visa. A regular status is typically required if you come from a nationality other than the current country from which you are applying.
Financial Requirement
You must prove that you have enough finances to cater for your needs while looking for a job in Portugal. To prove this, you must provide evidence that you have about 3 months’ salary, equivalent to at least the Portuguese minimum wage (currently €760 per month).
Therefore, you ought to have a minimum of €2,280 in your savings before you are granted the Job Seeker visa. You must provide your bank statements, payslips, etc., as evidence. A sponsorship letter from a friend or family member residing in Portugal can also be evidence of having enough funds to cover your expenses while in Portugal.
Health Insurance Requirement
You are required to have health insurance worth €30,000. The reason is that you cannot get public healthcare since you cannot pay into the Social Security System because you are not yet a tax resident.
In light of this, you must provide proof to the Portuguese embassy that you are covered by insurance against unforeseen medical expenses while looking for work in Portugal.
No Criminal Record
The Portuguese government takes its responsibility to investigate the criminal records of visitors seriously. The reason is that they don’t want to allow individuals who would cause a breakdown of law and order to enter the country. The likelihood of having a successful visa application is minimal if you have any history of committing crimes and/or being found guilty of them.
SEF Criminal Record Inquiry
When you apply for the visa, the SEF will inquire about your consent to conduct a background check on you. It is crucial that their investigation of your past turns up nothing because your Job Seeker visa will be turned down if you are of questionable character.
Flight Itinerary
You are required to show that you will leave Portugal once your visa expires, that is, if you do not find a job and obtain a residence permit in Portugal. Your flight itinerary must show the flight you booked to enter Portugal and a return flight to Saudi Arabia.
Completed and Approved IEFP Form
You are required to fill out the Institute of Employment and Vocational Training (IEFP) form and have it approved. This form shows that you intend to sign or have signed up with the IEFP immediately you enter Portugal.
Proof of Accommodation
You are required to show that you will not become stranded when you enter Portugal. In light of this, you must show that you have a place to stay when you enter the country. To prove this, you can present a hotel reservation, Airbnb, or rental agreement.
Cover Letter
Saudi Arabian citizens are required to explain why they want to enter Portugal and seek job opportunities. You may also tell other reasons or travel plans you have in Portugal.
Your Resume
You must also include a copy of your resume in your Portugal Job Seeker visa application file.
Note that you are required to translate your documents from Arabic into Portuguese or English. Also ensure that your translated documents are notarised. Your translator must be licensed by the Portuguese authorities.
Is a Job Offer Needed for the Portugal Job Seeker Visa?
You are not required to have a job offer from a Portuguese employer before you are issued a Portugal Job Seeker visa. This is unlike the procedure taken for a standard Portugal Work visa, where the applicants are required to have received employment offers from Portuguese employers before they can apply for a Work visa.
The Portugal Job Seeker visa allows its holder to enter Portugal and search for jobs they are eligible for within 120 days, and an option to extend for a further 60 days. Additionally, it is a visa that gives applicants the freedom to explore all of Portugal’s employment options.
It is far preferable for people looking for work to be able to remain in Portugal while having a Job Seeker visa than to look for employment abroad. Additionally, hiring someone who is currently in Portugal is simpler and more appealing for employers than hiring someone from outside of Portugal.
Cost of Portugal Job Seeker Visa: A Breakdown
The Portuguese government doesn’t disclose any exact fees for the Portugal Job Seeker visa. The fees that applicants must pay vary depending on the nation from where they are applying.
As a Saudi Arabian applicant for a Portugal Job Seeker visa, you should anticipate to have the following funds when applying:
- €30,000 worth health insurance policy
- €2,280 in your bank account to prove that you can cover your living expenses in Portugal for 3 months
- €75 to €80 application fee to be paid at the Portuguese embassy in Riyadh
- €170 to be paid for residence permit to the SEF in Portugal
Note that it is recommended to have all these fees ready before applying for a Job Seeker visa because you must make most of these payments to apply for this visa.
How to Apply for the Portugal Job Seeker Visa From Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabian applicants for a Portugal Job Seeker visa are required to follow this step-by-step guide to apply for the visa:
Register with the IEFP
Register with the IEFP and express your desire to apply for the Portugal Job Seeker visa. This form is available on the IEFP website. Your information and the type of job you do will be requested on the form.
Before you move to the next stage of your application, the IEFP will send you an approval email if your application is successful. Beware that receiving IEFP approval does not automatically grant you permission to enter Portugal. It merely serves as authorisation to submit a visa application.
Provide Your Documents
You are required to gather all the required documents for your Job Seeker visa, such as passport-size photos, travel document, round-trip flight ticket, criminal record certificate, and so on.
Finish Your Application
The next step to take in your application is to begin your application. To obtain the Job Seeker visa Portugal apply online at the website of the Portuguese embassy. Select the visa type you need, then fill out the online application form that you will be shown and submit it.
Schedule an Appointment
Note that you cannot finish your Portugal Job Seeker visa application online. You must schedule an appointment at the embassy by phone call or email to bring all your supporting documents.
At the interview, your biometric data (photographs and fingerprints) will be needed. You are also required to answer questions regarding the documents you have presented at the interview. Thereafter, you must pay the Job Seeker application fee worth €75.
Get a Decision
After the interview, the immigration officers in the Portuguese embassy will review your application and make a decision. The decision on your application will be sent to you in 30 to 90 days depending on the workload at the Portuguese embassy in Riyadh.
For more information about how to apply for a Portugal Job Seeker visa from Saudi Arabia, Total Law can help. Our immigration advisers can help you gather all the required documents, assist you in your application process, and even prepare you for your visa interview. Call us today on +1 844 290 6312 or message us online.
Portugal Job Seeker Visa Processing Time: What to Expect
Saudi Arabian citizens must wait for a decision to be made on their Portugal Job Seeker visa application. The workload at the Portuguese embassy in Riyadh or where you are applying from largely determines the time it takes to process your visa application. Therefore, there is no designated time it will take the Portuguese authorities to process and make a decision on applications.
However, you should expect a decision on your visa application to be made from 30 to 90 days after you have applied. Including all the required documents in your application typically helps to avoid delays in the processing time.
You may ask the Portuguese embassy in Riyadh to tell you the exact time it would take to process your visa application, if you wish to know, as the processing time typically varies from place to place.
Portugal Job Seeker Visa Validity and Extension Opportunities
The Portugal Job Seeker visa is only valid for 4 months (120 days). Saudi Arabian citizens holding this visa are only allowed to enter Portugal once.
You will be given a timeframe within 4 months to get a job opportunity. You can apply for an extension of your visa (which can only be done once) and obtain an additional 60 days, if you fail to get a job opportunity within the stated time frame.
The Benefits of Portugal Job Seeker Visa: Why Choose Work In Portugal?
As a Saudi Arabian citizen holding a Portugal Job Seeker visa, you are entitled to several incentives. They include:
Employment Opportunities
Saudi Arabian citizens may have a new opportunity to land their ideal job in a nation with significant economic success thanks to the Job Seeker visa, which opens up new prospects for its candidates.
Additionally, you have the freedom to explore Portugal’s labour market. It is preferable to remain in Portugal on a Job Seeker visa rather than search for employment abroad. Employers will find it simpler to hire someone who is already in the nation than someone who is not from Portugal.
No Need for a Job Offer
One of the benefits of this Job Seeker visa for Portugal is that you can apply without needing a job contract from a Portuguese employer. You are only required to input Portugal in your form and search for positions that require and match your experience.
Availability of Resources
As a Saudi Arabian citizen seeking jobs in Portugal, you will be able to access a variety of resources throughout your Job Seeker visa programme. These resources include job boards, career fairs, networking events, and so on.
Application for Extension
You are typically granted 120 days to enter and stay in Portugal while searching for jobs. But if you do not find any job during the 120 days, you can apply to remain in Portugal for an additional 60 days to keep on searching for a job.
Drawbacks of The Portuguese Job Seeker Visa
Although Saudi Arabian citizens applying for a Job Seeker visa have several benefits to enjoy, the visa still has some drawbacks and limitations. They include:
Competitive Job Market
Saudi Arabian job seekers may find Portugal to be very competitive. The labour force in the nation is highly educated, and lots of young professionals speak English fluently and other languages. Particularly for less experienced job seekers or entry-level applicants, this kind of competition might make it difficult to get employment.
Language Barriers
Access to a variety of job options frequently requires knowledge of Portuguese. Although English is commonly spoken, it might not be adequate for many jobs. Your selections and the jobs you may apply for could be limited if you don’t speak Portuguese.
Financial Support
Lack of adequate financial security can be a drawback for Saudi Arabian citizens who do not have significant savings. You must prove that you have enough finances to cater for your needs in Portugal while searching for a job.
The reason is that the cost of living in major cities of Portugal like Porto or Lisbon is typically high. You also need to have travel health insurance to cover any unplanned medical expenses during your stay in Portugal.
Obtaining Residency Via The Job Seeker Visa: Is It Possible?
Yes, it is possible to obtain residency through the Job Seeker visa. For this to be possible, you must first secure a job in Portugal.
When you apply for a Portugal Job Seeker visa and get a favourable decision, you will be given a Job Seeker visa valid for 4 months. You must enter Portugal within this timeframe and search for jobs.
If you do not find a job within that time frame, you can request an extension for another 2 months, if you want to continue your job search in Portugal. If you find a job, your employer will help you secure a work permit and residence permit in Portugal.
With your residency visa and work permit, you will be allowed to live and work in Portugal for the agreed time stated in the job contract.
Depending on the work contract and nature of work, you may become eligible to apply for Portuguese permanent residency status or citizenship after staying in Portugal for 5 years. Note that this is not always the case with every job in Portugal.
How Can Total Law Help?
Saudi Arabian citizens may be overwhelmed by the rigorous processes involved in the application for a Portugal Job Seeker visa. You are required to provide several authentic documents to backup your application.
If you fail to include all the required documents or have errors in your application, you risk having a refusal of your visa application. The refusal of your visa application will cause you to start all over again and include more expenses.
This is why it is ideal to seek expert guidance from immigration advisers at Total Law in your Job Seeker visa application. We are experienced professionals in Portugal immigration law.
We can help you make a solid application for a Job Seeker visa because we have a track record of making successful applications. Get in touch with us today for more guidance in your application, how to apply for a residence permit, or other services we offer at Total Law. Call us on +44 (0)333 305 9375 or message us online.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, Portugal is currently offering a Job Seeker visa for foreign nationals since the Portuguese government announced a new Job Seeker visa in October 2022.
You are required to pay €90 for your temporary visa which allows you to enter Portugal. You will also pay €83 to apply for your work residence permit at the SEF and pay €72 to get your work residence permit from the SEF.
It might take about 60 days to receive your work permit in Portugal. It might also take the Portuguese embassy about 2 to 3 months to process your entry visa.