On the eve of the mechanism’s implementation, Gonçalo Matias clarified that the model ensures a response to the needs of Portuguese companies and has the conditions to be fulfilled, with the commitment of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
“I think it’s an excellent measure because it bridges the gap between job supply and demand, which is always a challenge in migration policy,” stated Gonçalo Matias.
The consular services commit to responding within 20 days to work visa requests, as part of the “Fast Track” for hiring immigrants by Portuguese companies, according to the protocol signed with major employer organizations.
This measure allows for direct hiring abroad by companies, after the government declared an end to expressions of interest (a legal provision that allowed for the regularization of those arriving on a tourist visa within the country) last summer.
The protocol’s signatories recognize that “labor immigration plays a fundamental role in the economic development of Portugal” and that “over the years, immigrants have significantly contributed to various sectors of the Portuguese economy, bringing with them a range of skills, experiences, and knowledge that enrich the labor market and drive the country’s growth.”
The document acknowledges that “a significant portion of the workforce in specific sectors, such as agriculture, fishing, construction, tourism, services, or industry, comes from abroad, with foreign citizens providing an invaluable contribution to these economic areas by filling labor market gaps and ensuring the continuity of various economic activities.”
For Gonçalo Matias, “in the design of any migration policy, there must be a meeting between the country’s needs and the job supply available in the world that is willing to come.”
The solution chosen by the Portuguese government, which includes an “agreement with major employer entities representing the sectors most in need of labor,” turns out to be an “appropriate option.”
“We are talking about companies of significant size, which are obligated not only to secure the employment contract but also housing,” he explained.
In this process, “there are two guarantees. On the one hand, the people coming have the guarantee of a work contract and accommodation, which greatly facilitates integration,” he added.
The challenge now lies with the state services, which must meet the deadlines for issuing visas, a problem exacerbated by the fact that some of the main immigrant-sending countries — such as Nepal or Bangladesh — do not have Portuguese consulates.
“There are ways to compensate for this direct absence, primarily through referral to closer consulates, and I believe the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is fully aware of this reality, was involved in the agreement, and certainly has solutions to address this challenge of not having a consulate physically close to the people,” concluded Gonçalo Matias.
Companies submit the scheduling requests for visas, gathering all necessary documentation, “subscribing to the required statement of responsibility for the worker(s)” via email to im**************@*ne.pt.
