Lisbon, Portugal – In a sudden and major policy shift that impacts thousands of hopeful migrants, the Portuguese government has officially abolished the standard Job Seeker Visa as of late 2025.
If you were planning to apply for this visa under the old rules (which allowed anyone to enter Portugal to look for work without specific qualifications), you must stop immediately. The route is no longer valid.
Here is the breakdown of the official changes based on Law No. 61/2025 and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs updates.
- Read more:-
- How to get a U.S B-1/B-2 Visitor Visa
- How to get a Swedish Schengen Visa (90-Day Visitor)
- Sweden : Your Guide to the Job Seeker or Startup Visa/Permit
- The UK Visitor Visa: A Comprehensive Guide.
1. The Bad News: The Old Visa is Gone
As of October 23, 2025, the “General Job Seeker Visa” (Visto de Procura de Trabalho) has been discontinued.
- Appointments Cancelled: All appointments scheduled with VFS Global or Embassies for this specific visa category after October 23 have been automatically cancelled.
- No New Applications: Consulates are no longer accepting applications for this category.
2. The Replacement: “Skilled” Job Seeker Visa
The government is replacing the open route with a much stricter “Skilled Work-Seeking Visa”.
- The Catch: This new visa is restricted only to highly qualified professionals with specialized technical skills.
- Current Status: ON HOLD. While the law has passed, the specific regulations defining exactly which skills are eligible have not yet been published.
- Result: There is currently a “Regulatory Gap.” You cannot apply for the old visa (it’s gone), and you cannot apply for the new visa yet (forms are not ready).
3. End of “Manifestation of Interest”
The famous “Manifestation of Interest” (Manifestação de Interesse) pathway, which allowed tourists to legalize their status after finding a job in Portugal, is also being permanently closed by December 31, 2025. All pending cases must be submitted by this deadline or they will be forfeited.
What Should You Do Now?
- Do NOT pay agents: Any agent promising you a “Portugal Job Seeker Visa” right now is likely selling you a cancelled service.
- Wait for the “Skilled” Rules: If you have a university degree or high-level technical skills, wait for the government to publish the new “Skilled Visa” regulations (expected early 2026).
- Look for Alternatives: Consider Germany’s Opportunity Card (which is still open) or Italy’s Decreto Flussi quota.
