The Portuguese Parliament has approved a new law allowing applicants from the Community of Portuguese Language Countries (CPLP) to apply for residence permits while already in Portugal as tourists. This law, which responds to demands from Brazilian nationals, aims to simplify the regularization process, particularly for Brazilians who enter Portugal as tourists, by enabling them to apply for residency without needing to leave the country.
Under this new measure, citizens of Brazil and Timor-Leste can enter Portugal as tourists and apply for residency permits. However, citizens from other CPLP countries will still need to obtain a visa before entering Portugal and then apply for residency.
The application for residency can be accessed through the CPLP section of the Agency for Integration, Migration, and Asylum (AIMA). However, the page for submission is currently unavailable.
The government has also been advised to strengthen airport inspections to manage the flow of Brazilian nationals entering Portugal under this new law. Lawyers have emphasized that the passport stamp given to Brazilians and Timor-Leste citizens at the airport will serve as proof of legal entry into Portugal. This stamp is crucial for those who wish to transition from tourist status to residency status through the Agency for Integration, Migration, and Asylum (AIMA).
Legal experts also stress the importance of ensuring that applicants have entered Portugal legally. Brazilians planning to move to other European countries will need to provide evidence of their legal entry into Portugal if they wish to settle there for work or study. This verification can be obtained from authorities such as the Public Security Police (PSP), which can issue a document confirming the person’s legal entry.
