Portugal’s Immigration Agency Under Fire for Mishandling Brazilian Job-Seeking Visas
Brazilians Face Visa Processing Challenges in Portugal Amid Bureaucratic Delays
Under Portugal’s job-seeking visa scheme, applicants are granted 120 days to search for employment. However, some visa holders report systemic issues that hinder their ability to transition into legal residency.
One such case is that of Brazilian national Bruna Miranda, who said she received her job-seeking visa at the Portuguese consulate without an accompanying appointment at the Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum (AIMA), which is required for securing a residence permit. According to Miranda, she was contacted by AIMA just 19 days after her arrival in Portugal and was told to present an employment contract within 10 days or risk denial of her residency process.
“I was one of many Brazilians issued a visa without an AIMA interview appointment. Without a job contract just 19 days after arriving, I was given 10 days to provide one or face rejection,” Miranda stated.
She argues that AIMA failed to follow its own procedural guidelines for the job-seeking visa, prompting her to hire a lawyer who has since sent a formal notice to the agency requesting an official response. Miranda also expressed concern for other Brazilians in similar situations who cannot afford legal assistance.
In light of these challenges, immigration lawyer Wilson Bicalho advises Brazilian nationals to apply for their Portuguese visa while still in Brazil. “Those who initiate their applications from Brazil have a higher success rate in obtaining a residence permit,” Bicalho said. He warned that individuals applying after arrival in Portugal face a “very remote” chance of approval.
While Brazilians can enter Portugal visa-free for short stays, a national visa is required for long-term residence. According to official statistics, Brazilians submitted 11,497 applications for national visas in the first four months of 2025—a 56% increase compared to the same period in 2024. However, despite handling approximately 95 requests daily, Portugal’s immigration system continues to experience delays, partly due to recent strikes by public sector workers.
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