Portugal has finally announced its new immigration law that will allow foreigners to get temporary residence permit without any extra restrictions of legal entry into country. The ‘Portuguese Parliament’ has already approved this law in February 2019. President ‘Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa’, on 23 March 2019 signed this law and implemented it for entry, exit, and removal of foreigners from Portugal.
The diploma results from projects delivered in 2018 by PCP, BE and the People-Animal-Nature (PAN) party, with amendments proposed by the PS according to publico.pt.
Key Facts of New Law
- This new law will allow foreigners to have their registration done to ‘SEF’ (Serviço de Estrangeiros e Fronteiras) without showing any legal entry into Portugal.
- Previously, according to Article 88- Paragraph 2, it was mandatory to show the government that there has been legal entry in the national territory. Otherwise, the case was dealt according to article 123.
- Any foreigners, after entering Portugal, can apply for a residence permit having job in hand.
- Foreigners with illegal entry into Portugal will have to show that they have contributed to social security system for 12 months. (have paid tax for a year).
- This new law, ends the previous law of 2007 that gave the right to foreigners to get residence permit if they have legal entry into Portugal.
Documents Required for Applying Residence Permit According to Article 88- Paragraph 2
You should preferably apply online (expression of interest) through (SAPA Portal). Personally submitted application may be submitted by either applicant or through his legal representative (lawyer) at any SEF’s directorate or regional delegation. You must include following documents with your application:
- Passport or other valid travel document
- Proof of regular entry into Portuguese territory (valid visa possession, when applicable, or entry into Portugal within the visa waiver period) (no issue if you can’t provide that)
- Proof of means of subsistence, as provided for in Administrative Rule no. 1563/2007, of 11/12;
- Certificate of criminal record of the country of origin
- Certificate of criminal record of the country where you have lived for more than one year
- Accommodation documents
- Proof of registration and regularized situation before Social Security, except in case of promise of employment contract
- Proof of ‘Finance Number’
- Employment contract or document issued under the terms of art. a) of paragraph 2 of article 88 of Law 23/2007 of July 4
SEF registration for appointment.