This new immigration law, which Parliament voted in July, specifically provides for a temporary visa, which lasts 120 days and can be extended for 60 days, for foreigners looking for work. It should also facilitate the formalities of visas intended for “digital nomads”, as these employees carry out their activity by traveling thanks to the possibilities offered by remote work.
The text was adopted on July 21 by the votes of the Socialist Party with an absolute majority in Parliament and the Left Opposition.
Tourism is in trouble
This simplification of procedures was the subject of an agreement within the Community of Portuguese-Speaking Countries (CPLP) aimed at encouraging the movement of workers and students between member states, including Brazil and the former Portuguese colonies in Africa.
The amendment of the Immigration Law should particularly benefit the tourism sector, which is one of the sectors most affected by the labor shortage in Portugal as in other European countries. Minister of State for Tourism Rita Marques said on Tuesday that the sector, one of the main drivers of Portugal’s economic recovery after being hit hard by the health crisis, will need about 50,000 additional employees.
