Up until now, citizens of Brazil and Timor-Leste, who were exempt from visa requirements to enter Portugal, could apply for CPLP residency while in Portugal. This will no longer be possible, stated Minister of the Presidency António Leitão Amaro during the final press conference of the Council of Ministers.
“Portugal remains committed to the CPLP agreement regarding the issuance of visas and residency permits,” but “given the assessment of the situation,” there cannot be a “2.0 version or a light version” of expressing an interest, said the minister, referencing the mechanism that previously allowed the regularization of foreigners arriving on tourist visas.
Following the approval of the proposed law announced by the government, “to apply for a CPLP residency permit, a prior residency visa” must be approved by the consulates, he stated.
Additionally, the application for a CPLP residency permit will now require “a security system check.”
On a different note, by October 15, the government aims to complete the renewal of pending residency permits, which have repeatedly expired.
