According to a statement from the office of the Minister of State and Foreign Affairs, following these changes, Portuguese consular offices or visa application centres for external service providers (VFS Global/BLS International/TLScontact) will no longer be able to accept work-seeking visa applications.

"Instead of the work-seeking visa, there will be a skilled work-seeking visa," but skilled work-seeking visa applications can only be submitted when "the new type is subject to the necessary regulations, in accordance with the provisions of the new Foreigners Law."

Law No. 61/2025, of October 22, 2025, which approved the Foreigners Law and includes these amendments, was published today in the Official Gazette.