World Immigration News

Portugal: Significant Immigration Reforms in Effect

Release Date: 2026-01-26
Media: Fragomen
Summary: Portugal has rolled out a package of immigration reforms that signals a shift toward a more controlled, pre-entry visa system focused on highly qualified talent, tighter family reunification rules, and faster administration. A key change is the replacement of the general job seeker visa with a not-yet-implemented “highly skilled work-seeking visa,” alongside the abolition of the “manifestation of interest” pathway that previously allowed many non-EU nationals to regularize status after arrival.

Under the planned highly skilled work-seeking visa, applicants would have 120 days (extendable by 60) to find a job; if they fail, they must leave and wait one year before reapplying. The visa would be valid only for Portuguese territory and limited to people in “specialized technical activities” defined by a future ministerial order—and applications cannot yet be filed because implementing rules are still pending.

Family reunification has also been tightened (including a general two-year lawful residence requirement for sponsors, a legal entry/stay condition for family members, and more detailed scrutiny such as housing, financial means, and integration expectations). Meanwhile, the “manifestation of interest” regularization route was abolished on Dec. 31, 2025, pushing applicants to obtain the appropriate residence visa from abroad instead of entering first and regularizing later; Portugal also clarified that prior irregular entry/overstay can trigger visa refusals for up to seven years.
Tags: Portugal

News Articles including "Portugal"

Released on

Article Title