VFS Global, the outsourcing and technology company assisting government and diplomatic missions, has committed to addressing the significant backlog in visa applications for Brazilians in Portugal “as quickly as possible.” This pledge follows reports from Portuguese media indicating that some work visa applications for Brazilian nationals are facing delays of over 200 days, according to Schengen.News.
The company, which works closely with Portuguese consulates, stated that it has intensified efforts to resolve these delays, although the final decision-making authority still lies with the Portuguese authorities. VFS Global’s intervention comes after several individuals, like Ricardo Cardoso, shared their experiences of waiting over 200 days for their work visas. Cardoso’s application, processed through the Portuguese consulate in Salvador, has been pending for 202 days.
In an effort to speed up the process, Portugal’s Minister of the Presidency of the Council of Ministers, António Leitão Amaro, recently announced plans to issue work visas to immigrants within one month. This initiative follows growing concerns about the delays in processing work visas, especially after the termination of the Expression of Interest program in June of the previous year. This program had allowed individuals to enter Portugal as tourists and apply for work permits once in the country.
However, some experts believe the government’s goal of processing visas in under a month may not be achievable. Immigration lawyer Elizabeth Lima told Politico that the proposal is unrealistic, pointing out the lack of sufficient resources to handle such a volume of applications in such a short timeframe.
Despite the current backlog, Portugal continues to face a pressing need for foreign workers to support its economy. A report by the General Union of Workers (UGT) revealed that, due to a declining birth rate and an aging population, Portugal will require between 50,000 and 100,000 foreign workers annually to meet labor demands.
