Brazilian Job-Seekers in Portugal Facing Permit Hurdles Due to Missing Appointments

Many Brazilian nationals moving to Portugal on job-seeking visas are reportedly facing bureaucratic challenges in securing residence permits — a process that is supposed to be streamlined under the visa programme.

Under Portugal’s job-seeking visa, holders are granted 120 days to find employment. However, some applicants, including Brazilian national Bruna Miranda, say they were issued the visa without being provided an appointment with AIMA (Portugal’s Agency for Migration and Asylum), which is necessary to complete the residence permit process.

According to Miranda, AIMA contacted her 19 days after arrival, requesting an employment contract within 10 days — a demand that contradicts the official guidelines of the job-seeking visa, which allows four months to secure a job.

“I was one of many Brazilians who received the job-seeking visa at the consulate without an interview appointment at AIMA, which should have been included. Because I didn’t have an employment contract just 19 days after arriving, I was given 10 days to present one or risk denial,” said Miranda, speaking to Portugal Giro.

Miranda has since hired a lawyer and issued a formal notice to AIMA, demanding clarification and compliance with the visa’s conditions.

She also voiced concern for other Brazilian nationals in similar situations — many of whom lack the financial resources to engage legal assistance.

Brazilians Advised to Apply for Portugal Visa Before Departure

Given the growing number of such cases, immigration lawyer Wilson Bicalho advises Brazilians intending to move to Portugal to apply for their visas while still in Brazil.

“Applicants who begin their process in Brazil have a much stronger chance of being granted a residence permit once in Portugal. Submitting an application only after arriving in Portugal offers very remote chances of approval,” Bicalho said.

While Brazilians can enter Portugal visa-free for short stays, a national visa is required for stays longer than 90 days or for residency purposes.

According to recent data, Brazilians filed 11,497 applications for Portuguese national visas during the first four months of 2025 — a 56% increase compared to the same period last year.

Portuguese authorities are currently processing approximately 95 visa requests daily, though processing delays persist due to ongoing staff strikes.