Important Information

IMPORTANT: Please note that the Visa Application Center in your jurisdiction must be contacted to obtain the status of your application.

Attention:

Change in the Legal Framework Regarding Job-Seeking Visa Applications

Law No. 61/2025, dated October 22, 2025, has been published today, amending Article 57-A of Law No. 23/2007, of July 4, which approves the Immigration Law, specifically regarding the job-seeking visa.

Accordingly, as of October 23, 2025, Portuguese consular posts in Brazil and/or VFS Global visa application centers will no longer be authorized to process job-seeking visa applications, as this visa category has ceased to exist under the terms previously defined by law. Therefore, all job-seeking visa applications submitted by mail or in person from October 23, 2025, onwards will not be accepted and will be returned to the applicants by VFS Global.

In its place, a qualified job-seeking visa will be introduced, and applications for this new category may only be submitted once the necessary regulations have been issued, in accordance with the provisions of the new Immigration Law.

Portugal begins restructuring of the visa processing system in Brazil

Portugal is carrying out a restructuring of the visa processing system in Brazil, with the aim of improving public service and achieving greater efficiency and harmonization in the processing of visa applications.

This change, which will involve the centralization of the analysis and handling of visa applications, will not, at this stage, imply any change for visa applicants.

The procedures for submitting visa applications, requests for information, and communications related to individual processes will continue to be carried out through VFS Global, via the respective Visa Application Centers (VAC) corresponding to the applicant’s place of residence. In the Vice-Consulates in Porto Alegre, Curitiba, Fortaleza, and Recife, the submission of visa applications will, for the time being, continue to follow the procedures established by each Vice-Consulate.

Additional information will be provided as the restructuring is implemented.

Attention: Beware of Scams!

VFS GLOBAL DOES NOT request payments through links, including PayPal, Mercado Pago, or other online payment methods. We kindly ask all applicants to carefully verify the transfer details, ensuring that the company name and CNPJ of VFS GLOBAL are correctly indicated. Stay alert and protect yourself from fraud.

We recommend disregarding messages from unverified sources and contacting us exclusively through the official channels to ensure the security and integrity of your information. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.

VFS Global is an authorized partner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Portugal.

IMPORTANT:

Dear customers

• Avoid delays in the analysis of your process, visa applications from families must be sent in a single envelope.
• Please be advised that due to the high demand for visa applications, the deadline for processing documents sent by post and replying to emails has been extended.

We inform that while your visa application remains under review by the Portuguese authorities there is no estimated deadline for completion, as your application is analyzed not only by the consular post in your jurisdiction, but also by other Portuguese authorities. Please note that the Consulate/Embassy does not provide the status of your application, therefore all dealings regarding the status of your visa application must be made through the VFS Global.

Important note: Do not contact the SEF and the Ministry of Portugal, as these departments only communicate with diplomatic authorities.”

We also inform that the separation of centers by jurisdiction continues, therefore, consult your locality to check if the corresponding office is available
to receive your application.

For more information access:

Ministério dos negócios Estrangeiros

Serviço de Estrangeiros e Fronteiras

VFS Global

7 de abril de 2021

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