The peak season sees a surge in popularity for the seasonal sector in Portugal. The seasonal worker visa, designed for individuals from non-EU countries, facilitates employment during this period.
Portugal Seasonal Worker Visa 2024 Application Process |
A valid seasonal work visa or a temporary stay visa dedicated to seasonal work is required for engaging in such employment. Whether opting for a short-stay visa (for durations of 90 days or less) or a temporary-stay visa (allowing up to 9 months within 12 months), the process involves specific considerations.
To initiate the application for a Portugal seasonal work visa, a crucial prerequisite is a valid job contract from a Portuguese employer. Typically, these opportunities cater to individuals with unskilled or semi-skilled backgrounds, and high educational qualifications are not obligatory.
Engaging in subordinate seasonal work not only yields valuable income but also provides foreign workers with essential work experience. Further insights into the application process for the Portugal seasonal work visa are elaborated below.
Details of Portugal Seasonal Worker Visa
- Host Country: Portugal
- Duration of Stay: 90 days or 9 months
- Activity Type: Seasonal work
Industries where employment opportunities
- Agriculture, spanning livestock, hunting, forestry, and fishing
- Hospitality, including restaurants
- Food and beverage sectors
- Wholesale and retail commerce
- Construction
- Land transport
Eligibility for the Portuguese Seasonal Work Visa extends to non-EU citizens. Even if residing in Europe without EU citizenship, individuals qualify for application.
Also Check: Seasonal Work Visa for Portugal (Application Process)
For stays of 90 days or less
- The following documents are required:
- Visa application form
- Passport or a valid travel document
- Passport photograph
- Return ticket
- Valid travel insurance
Work contract or a valid work offer specifying employer details, company information, profession type, stay duration, salary, and allocated vacation time.
Employers may also provide accommodation, meeting legal requirements.
Evidence of sufficient financial resources
For stays exceeding 90 days, a Temporary Stay Visa for seasonal work, valid for one year, is issued, allowing employment for up to 9 months. The necessary documents include:
- Official visa application form
- Passport or alternative travel document
- Two identical passport photographs
- Valid travel insurance
- Authorization form for accessing Portuguese criminal records by the Immigration and Border Services (SEF)
Prerequisites for Obtaining a Portugal Seasonal Work Visa
- Obtain a job offer from a Portuguese employer.
- Your employer must apply for a work permit on your behalf.
- Submit your visa application, including the work permit and other required documents, to the Portugal Embassy or VFS Global.
- Provide passport-size pictures.
- Include your employment contract.
- Present a clean criminal record.
Note: Document requirements may vary based on your nationality. Refer to the specific list provided at your application location.
Procedure for Applying for the Portugal Seasonal Work Visa
- Once equipped with a work permit, initiate the visa application by completing the form for a temporary stay or short stay visa.
- Locate the nearest Portugal embassy; use the provided link to determine the appropriate application submission location.
- Make an appointment and submit your documents.
In many countries, VFS Global manages Portugal visa applications. Visit https://www.vfsglobal.com/en/individuals/index.html:
- Select your country of application.
- Choose the destination country (e.g., Portugal).
- Access the website.
- Identify the visa type, such as "Seasonal Visa."
- Retrieve details, including required documents and visa costs.
Visa Costs
Short stay visa: General fee of 80 Euros.
Temporary stay visa: General fee of 90 Euros.
Note: Visa fees are subject to change and vary by country.