New 'Green Light' Immigration Program Streamlines Work Visa Process for Foreign Workers in Portugal

Portugal's New Immigration Initiative

On April 1st, the Portuguese Government officially launched the 'Green Light' program aimed at streamlining the hiring of foreign workers by national companies. This initiative, which is now in effect, allows for the submission of individual or group visa applications and is seen as a decisive step in addressing the chronic labor shortage affecting key sectors of the Portuguese economy, such as tourism, agriculture, construction, and services.

Key Features of the Protocol

The 'Cooperation Protocol for Regulated Labor Migration' is designed to simplify the recruitment of foreign citizens who have a work contract. It will be officially signed today with employer confederations. The president of the CIP – Business Confederation of Portugal emphasizes that this mechanism will significantly speed up the issuance of visas for eligible workers, stating, "It's unacceptable for a company to take months, or even over a year, to legalize a worker."

Under the new protocol, visa issuance is expected to occur within 20 days from the applicant's visit to the consulate, provided they meet legal requirements, including having a work contract, health insurance, and travel insurance.

Benefits for Workers

This mechanism also allows workers to obtain tax identification numbers (NIF) and other essential numbers that previously took considerable time to acquire, facilitating access to healthcare and the ability to open bank accounts. This is seen as a way to combat the parallel economy.

The president of the Confederation of Farmers of Portugal (CAP) expressed overall satisfaction with the protocol, highlighting that it provides guaranteed speed for companies, enabling them to access seasonal labor more effectively.

Group Applications and Business Opportunities

The general secretary of the Confederation of Commerce and Services of Portugal (CCP) noted the positive aspect of allowing companies to submit multiple visa requests simultaneously. Ana Vieira emphasized, "We have the possibility of submitting group requests, which simplifies the process for businesses."

This protocol is specifically targeted at confederations or employer associations with at least 30 members and a collective business volume of €250 million or more, as well as companies employing 150 or more workers with a turnover of €25 million or above, who are compliant with tax and social security obligations.

Challenges Ahead

While the protocol aims to ensure that companies meet certain requirements regarding training and housing for workers, the latter remains a significant negotiation point. Ana Vieira highlighted the challenge of guaranteeing adequate housing for all workers, stating, "The ability to provide housing for everyone is a major challenge."

The protocol mentions access to adequate housing but lacks clarity on its specifics, stating that it should be demonstrated in a plan by the employer to confirm the availability of housing in the work area.

Armindo Monteiro of the CIP emphasized that while companies need to provide housing, it should not be considered as part of remuneration subject to taxes or social security. He also called for future regulations to address these concerns, as the current government is in a caretaker role and cannot implement further measures.

Despite these challenges, the CAP views the housing provisions as a reasonable commitment, highlighting that one positive aspect of the land use law allows for the construction of temporary housing on agricultural land for workers.