Portugal’s government vows to issue work visas to immigrants within a month

Lisbon: The Minister of the Presidency of the Council of Ministers, António Leitão Amaro, unfolded plans to accelerate the process of issuing work visas to immigrants.

Portugal is currently dealing with labour shortages in several sectors amid ongoing visa delays.

Portugal aims to grant work visas to immigrants in less than a month, the Minister of the Presidency of the Council of Ministers, António Leitão Amaro, has said.

Following reports of long delays in obtaining a visa in Portugal, the Minister vowed that the process would be accelerated for immigrants, Schengen.News reports.

According to local media reports, waiting times for foreigners to obtain a Portugal visa have increased significantly, particularly for those from Brazil, which sometimes reach up to six months.

Long delays related to visa issuance by Portuguese embassies and consulates have increased following the abolishment of the Expression of Interest program in June last year, which permitted all persons to enter the country as tourists and then apply to legally work in Portugal.

While long visa delays continue for those interested in reaching Portugal, including for work purposes, the country needs between 50,000 to 100,000 international workers each year in order to deal with labour shortages, according to a recent survey introduced by the General Union of Workers.

In addition, the employers have also warned the government of Portugal that without workers, the country’s economy would lose momentum in comparison to growth targets. According to them, in the construction sector alone, it is estimated that about 80,000 workers will be needed.

According to the proposal presented by the government to businesspeople, consular services are required to issue a statement on whether or not to grant a visa within 20 days.

We have made our commitment, and you can make yours. We have added 50 more employees to the consular posts, we have accelerated the response capacity of AIMA (Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum), and we have guaranteed a response time.

The lawyer, Elizabeth Lima, who works in immigration, told Politico Portugal that Portugal’s government’s proposal to issue work visas in less than a month is unrealistic.

“Today, it takes months to get a visa. Just 50 more employees in the various consulates will not solve the problems. Portugal has many consulates,” Elizabeth Lima, lawyer.

According to lawyer Lima, there are not enough resources that would permit authorities in Portugal to achieve the goal of issuing visas in such a short period of time.