Portugal Job Seeker Visa From Turkey

The Portugal Job Seeker Visa is one of Portugal’s employment visas, which allow non-EU nationals, including citizens of Turkey, to enter and stay in Portugal with the purpose of seeking employment.

In this context, individuals wishing to explore the robust job market in Portugal can come and settle in Portugal, as long as they fulfil the eligibility requirements.

This includes not having any entry restrictions into Portugal or another Member State of the European Union (EU).

Applicants must also possess a return ticket to their home country and adequate financial resources to support themselves during their stay in Portugal.

The Portugal Job Seeker Visa will allow individuals to stay in Portugal for an initial 4 months or 120 days, after which they can extend it for an additional 60 days under certain conditions.

Note that if visa holders secure employment within this period, they are authorised to engage in subordinated work activities until the visa expires or until they are granted a residence permit. In such a case, individuals must apply for a relevant residence permit instead of extending the Job Seeker Visa.

Page Contents

• Overview of the Portugal Job Seeker Visa from Turkey
• Job Seeker Visa For Citizens of Turkey: Eligibility Criteria
• Benefits of Portugal Job Seeker Visa
• Portugal Job Seeker Visa Application: What Supporting Documents Do I Need to Provide?
• How to Apply for a Job Seeker Visa from Turkey: The Process
• What Are the Fees and Processing Time?
• What If My Application Has Been Approved?
• How Can Total Law Help?
• Frequently Asked Questions

If you are a Turkish citizen aspiring to seek employment in Portugal through the Job Seeker Visa, you need to be aware of these eligibility criteria shown below to ensure a smooth application process:

• Non-EU National Status: This visa is designed for those who are not citizens of European Union (EU) countries. As a Turkish citizen, you fall into this category.
• Passport Validity: Make sure you possess a passport that is valid for the entirety of your stay, and preferably beyond. This serves as a crucial document for identification.
• Legal Status of Overseas Residency: If you are applying for this Job Seeker Visa in a country where you are not a citizen (that is, anywhere outside Turkey in the case of Turkish citizens), you must show proof that you are legally staying in that country. Your legal status in that country should be valid for a longer time than the visa you are applying for.
• Clean Criminal Record: Applicants must have no criminal history. This means no previous convictions or serious offences in any country. However, applicants below 16 years of age are not required to present this proof.
• Financial Stability: You as an applicant must have adequate financial resources to ensure your ability to support yourself in Portugal while searching for employment. Proof of such financial sufficiency must be provided. Specifically, you need to have at least three times the amount of Portugal’s minimum monthly wage.
• Health Insurance: Valid health insurance that encompasses the entire duration of the applicant’s stay in Portugal is mandatory, safeguarding both the applicant and the host country against potential health-related uncertainties.
• Unrestricted Entry: Applicants must not be under any entry restriction in Portugal or any other EU Member State.

For Turkish citizens exploring European job markets, the Portugal Job Seeker Visa stands out as a highly beneficial option. The notable advantages of this visa include the following:

• No Prior Job Offer Required: One of the most important advantages that this visa offers is the possibility to come to Portugal without having received a job offer beforehand. This takes away the stress and uncertainty of looking for a job before you move and gives you the freedom to explore opportunities locally.
• Application from Home: Conveniently, you can initiate the visa application process from Turkey itself. This benefit eliminates the need for travel expenses and time-consuming visits to foreign embassies, providing a straightforward pathway to potential European employment.
• Open Access to the Portuguese Job Market: The Portugal Job Seeker Visa grants you direct access to the Portuguese job market, permitting a comprehensive exploration of various sectors and roles. This accessibility enhances your chance of finding a role that aligns with your skills and career aspirations.
• Affordable Visa Costs: Financial considerations are paramount, and the affordable cost of the Portugal Job Seeker Visa eases this concern. This cost-efficiency ensures that financial constraints do not hinder your European employment journey.

As demonstrated above, the Portugal Job Seeker Visa serves as a strategic and cost-effective choice for Turkish individuals seeking employment in Europe, offering convenient and comprehensive benefits to facilitate your international career aspirations.

When preparing to apply for a Portugal Job Seeker Visa, it’s essential to compile all the necessary supporting documents thoroughly. The following documents are required for Turkish applicants to ensure a seamless application process.

• National Visa Application Form: Complete and sign the National Visa Application Form. Make sure that all details are filled in correctly to avoid complications.
• Photographs: Attach two recent, identical passport-size photographs in good condition that clearly identify the applicant. Stick one of the photographs on the application form.
• Passport or Travel Document: Present your passport or a valid travel document. It should be valid for more than three months beyond your planned return date. You must also attach a copy of the biographical page.
• Proof of Legal Status for Overseas Residence: If you have a nationality other than that of the country in which you are applying, provide proof of legal residence status valid beyond the expiry date of the jobseeker visa. This only applies to Turkish applicants who are not in Turkey at the time of application.

• Valid Travel Insurance: Obtain comprehensive travel insurance to cover medical expenses, urgent medical assistance, and possible repatriation.
• Criminal Record Certificate: Applicants above 16 years of age must provide a criminal record certificate, issued by their home country or any country they’ve resided in for over a year. Make sure it is apostilled (if applicable) or legalised.
• Portuguese Criminal Record Consultation: Apply for a consultation of the Portuguese criminal record (not applicable for applicants under 16 years).
• Return Transport Ticket: Provide a copy of your return transport ticket as part of your application.
• Proof of Financial Resources: Provide evidence of sufficient financial resources equivalent to at least three times the value of the guaranteed Portuguese minimum monthly wage. Alternatively, submit a written statement of responsibility signed by a Portuguese citizen or a foreign citizen living in Portugal, guaranteeing food, accommodation and reimbursement of removal costs in the event of an irregular stay. The signing citizen must have the necessary financial resources.
• Stay Declaration: Provide a written statement outlining the conditions of your intended stay in Portugal.
• IEFP Registration: Submit proof for online registration at the IEFP, which is Portugal’s Employment and Vocational Training Institute, in one of these languages you prefer – Portuguese/ English/ French/ Spanish.

Careful compilation and submission of all the above documents is crucial to the smooth processing of your application for a jobseeker’s visa for Portugal.

Make sure you follow all the instructions and provide all the required information to increase the likelihood of your visa being granted. With the knowledge gained above, Turkish applicants should be able to go through this process with confidence and ease.

Once your jobseeker visa is approved, your journey towards employment in Portugal begins, supported by a 120-day validity period with a single entry permit. Strict adherence to the expiry date of this visa is crucial to avoid legal complications and complicate possible challenges to the visa in the future.

If you find a job within these 120 days, you can apply for a residence permit before the visa expires. Note that it is possible to extend your visa for another 60 days if you are registered with IEFP, I.P.. If you do not obtain employment or a residence permit by the time your visa expires, you must leave Portugal. But you can apply for another visa one year after your first visa expires.

When you sign an employment contract, it can help you obtain a residence permit valid for up to two years or for the duration of your employment contract. Once you have a permanent job and a valid residence permit, you can start the family reunification procedure and invite your family to live with you in Portugal. The transition from a job-seeker visa to another type of visa requires strict adherence to rules and timeframes. If you apply for a residence permit immediately after obtaining a job, your permanent legal status in Portugal is assured and potential legal problems are mitigated. A wise understanding and adherence to the transitional visa procedures is crucial to maintaining your legal status in Portugal and the smooth running of the immigration process.