As of around a month ago, a new regulation was published which revoked the “Manifestação de Interesse,” an exceptional instrument in Portuguese law that allowed foreign nationals entering the country without a residence visa to apply for a residence permit, provided they met the specific requirements.

With the end of this process, the standard rule for most cases now requires obtaining a visa for the intended purpose of stay. This process is subject to a secondary review by the Agency for Migration, Integration and Asylum (AIMA) to ensure all criteria are met.

Exceptions to this rule have become far fewer and apply primarily to students, highly qualified professionals, and family members of residence permit holders in Portugal or EU citizens. In these cases, the visa requirement is waived.

For all other cases, the procedure involves applying for a residence visa at the Portuguese consular office in the foreign national’s country of residence. After approval—requiring the submission of nearly all documentation and an initial interview where the applicant and any family members are presented—a residence visa is granted.

Once the residence visa is obtained, the holder is permitted to travel to Portugal with the intention of settling there in accordance with the category of visa they applied for. A second interview is then scheduled with AIMA, where all documentation is re-submitted, and the residence permit is issued for the period established under the relevant legal provisions.