It is aimed at citizens of the Community of Portuguese Speaking Countries (CPLP). The member countries of the CPLP are: Angola, Brazil, Cape Verde, Guinea-Bissau, Mozambique, Portugal and São Tomé and Príncipe, Timor-Leste and Equatorial Guinea.
The legalisation process begins with obtaining a residence visa, which is intended to allow the holder to enter Portugal in order to apply for a residence permit.
The CPLP residence visa application will have to fulfil different requirements depending on the profile of the Applicant, i.e. whether they are Entrepreneurs, Investors, Retirees, Workers, Students or Taxable Income Holders.
Step 1 – Visa application
The residence visa must be requested at the Portuguese Consulate of the country of residence or citizenship.
The visa issued entitles the holder to 2 entries into Portugal and is valid for 120 days, during which time the holder must travel to Portugal.
Step 2 – Application for a residence permit
After entering Portugal, the Applicant will have to make an interview with the Portuguese Immigration and Borders Service (SEF), to collect biometric data (photograph, fingerprints and signature).
Step 3 – Residence card issuance
After the interview, the residence card will be sent to the Applicant’s address in Portugal.
Note: the estimated time to complete the whole process will depend on many factors, but on average it will be around 8-9 months between the time of applying for the visa and receiving the residence card.
The residence card is valid for 2 years. At the end of these 2 years, it is possible to renew it for an additional period of 3 years. At the end of the 5 years the applicant may choose to apply for a permanent residence permit or Portuguese nationality.
To obtain a work-seeker’s visa, the applicant must, among other requirements, submit a declaration of interest for registration with the Institute for Employment and Vocational Training (IEFP).
Step 1 – Applying for a visa
The visa must be applied for at the Portuguese Consulate in the country (and Federal State, if applicable) of residence.
The visa issued entitles the holder to 1 entry into Portugal and is valid for 120 days, extendable for a further 60, during which time the holder must travel to Portugal in order to find work.
The holder is allowed to work during this period or until the residence permit is granted, if an employment contract is signed with an entity based in Portugal.
If the applicant does not find work within the 180 days allowed, they must leave Portugal, but can reapply a year later.
Step 2 – Applying for a residence permit
After entering Portugal, the applicant will have to attend an appointment with AIMA (Agency for Migration Integration and Asylum), to provide a signed copy of the employment contract and collect biometric data (photograph, fingerprints and signature).
Step 3 – Receiving the residence card
After the appointment, the residence card will be sent to the applicant’s registered address in Portugal.
The residence card is valid for 2 years. At the end of these 2 years, it can be renewed for a further 3 years. At the end of the 5 years, you can choose to apply for a permanent residence permit or Portuguese nationality.
Nationals of states where the CPLP Agreement is in force and who have legally entered national territory can apply for a CPLP residence permit from AIMA (Agency for Migration Integration and Asylum).
Step 1 – Entry into Portugal
After entering Portugal, the applicant must submit their application on a portal managed by AIMA (Agency for Migration Integration and Asylum) to apply for a CPLP residence permit.
Step 2 – Issuing a residence permit for CPLP citizens
Once the application has been submitted, a Certificate for the Granting of a Residence Permit for CPLP citizens will be issued online in digital format.
The Residence Permit Certificate for CPLP citizens is issued for an initial period of one year and does not in itself allow free movement within the Schengen area.
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