We tell you all you need to know concerning the Portugal job visa and the news about the Tech Visa program!
Portugal has become a major attraction to big-name companies and people. With its growing economy, internal development and tech blowout, the country is in the spotlight. In other words, there’s a growing international interest. If you’re planning on relocating, there are a few things you need to grasp about the Portugal job visa before you start packing your bags. First, it’s important you be aware of all the needed information. Luckily, you came to the right place!
Portugal job visa, do you need it?
If you’re a citizen from Switzerland, the European Union or the European Economic Area, you don’t need the Portugal job visa to live or work in Portugal. However, when it comes to non-European citizens, getting employed is the initial step and only then can the employer apply for a Portuguese work permit. In the case of a confirmed work permit or an employment contract, other steps are required, depending on the time of stay and the basis stated by the employer, and others.
There are also several other Portuguese work visas for non-European nationals, specifically, the long-term and a short-term work visa. Bear in mind that, after an approved visa what follows next is a work permit, there are several, such as an EU Blue Card, as well as permits intended for highly skilled immigrants and researchers, among others.
Tech Visa Program, what is it all about?
The Tech Visa program was developed with the goal of attracting and ensuring that highly skilled immigrants outside the European Union have access to jobs created by Portuguese technological and innovative companies by facilitating the hiring policies. In order to do so, companies need to fulfill requirements set by IAPMEI, I.P., as to obtain a specific certification. In this way, companies that have or provide an international service or product can submit their application on the IAPMEI, I.P. website. However, the Portuguese government announced that, as of April 4th, 2019, an extension of the Tech Visa program to all sectors, no longer being exclusive to the technological sector. On the day of the announcement, the Portuguese government also reported that since January 2019, 46 companies had been certified and several others are being examined.
With the extension of the Tech Visa program, other changes also take place. Presently, it is published in Diário da República that, “highly skilled workers must have a minimum level of qualification of level 6, according to the ISCED-2011” and, “in the case of workers with a level of qualification 5, professional higher technical course according to ISCED-2011, must demonstrate to have exceptional specialized technical skills, obtained through minimum experience of 5 years.”, as well as other requirements. Previously, companies were only obligated to have a positive net situation. Now, with this extension, the rules demand that “In the case of companies established more than three years ago, have a positive net position, as evidenced by the latest Simplified Business Information (IES) available.”
In essence, the Tech Visa program objective is to ease the residency permits in Portugal to workers from other countries. By attracting highly skilled immigrants which are currently placed in the global market, the goal is to focus on technological growth and to help develop the current tech industry, as well as bring a bigger investment internally and externally.
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