“There are many problems regarding the writing of the legislation itself, we will request that the law is not promulgated and that it is reviewed by the Constitutional Court,” stated Ana Paula Costa, president of Casa do Brasil de Lisboa.
The bill was approved on Wednesday with favorable votes from PSD, Chega, and CDS, with IL abstaining and opposition from the entire left. It has now been sent to the President of the Republic for promulgation.
The new law requires all immigrants to have a work visa issued by the Portuguese consulate in their country of origin to later regularize their status in Portugal with a residence permit, with exceptions for investment visas (‘gold’ visas) and highly qualified immigrants, who can obtain a job-seeking visa.
Additionally, the new law imposes new rules for family reunification, setting a two-year deadline after the approved residence permit for applications for adult family members.
The request for a hearing is supported by Casa do Brasil, the Cape Verdean associations of Setúbal and Sintra, Casa da Índia, the Gira collective, and Instituto Brasil.
“In our opinion, this law is a setback that harms immigrants, but also Portugal,” stated Ana Paula Costa, who promises the opposition of the associations.
The associations had already expressed numerous criticisms when the government announced the reform of immigration policy.
