MANIFESTATION OF INTEREST
MANIFESTAÇÃO DE INTERESSE
🟠 This post is in process of being checked by our partner lawyers
⚠️❗️- PLEASE NOTE MAJOR CHANGES WERE
ANNOUNCED TO THIS PROCESS ON 03/06/2024 AND
WE UNDERSTAND THAT IT IS NO LONGER POSSIBLE
TO SUBMIT NEW REQUESTS FOR THIS DOCUMENT.
WE WILL ADD FURTHER INFORMATION SOON.
| 🔗 KEY LINKS | |
| ☎️ KEY CONTACTS | |
| 📍KEY LOCATIONS |
AIMA Office Avenida António Augusto de Aguiar, 20 |
WHAT IS IT?
It is the administrative process by which non-European citizens express their desire to obtain authorisation to reside and work in the country. It is done through an online portal called SAPA. It is generally viewed as the minimum paperwork required for you to start to work legally in Portugal.
🔗 Access the SAPA portal
Under the terms of the law, if you wish to apply for a residency permit to work in Portugal, you must apply for a residency visa at a Portuguese embassy in your country of origin or residence.
Manifestação de Interesse is a back-up process that is only required if you entered Portugal under some other documentation (e.g. via a tourist visa) and unexpectedly ended up finding a job during your stay. It is a process that aims to regularize an individual who is already in Portugal (in an irregular situation).
During the waiting process, you are not allowed to travel to other Schengen countries (or any other) until your application is approved or not.
WHO CAN APPLY?
Any foreign citizen who has legally entered Portugal, has a regular status with Portuguese Social Security and has a proven employment relationship (promise of employment contract).
There is a difference between being illegal or irregular in Portugal.
Irregular: This term is used to describe migrants who have entered legally into the country but stayed for longer than they were allowed. An example of this would be coming into Portugal under the tourist visa and staying longer than they you were allowed without asking for an extension or Manifestação de Interesse. Being in such a situation would mean you are in Portugal irregularly.
Illegal: This term is used to describe migrants who you entered Portugal but did not register their entry into the country (by staying at a hotel/ motel), meaning the government (AIMA- Immigration Service) is not aware of their presence. If your status can be described as illegal, it is important for you to make yourself known to the authorities (AIMA) and be aware that you may require legal representation to secure your right to remain in Portugal.
If you find yourself in either of these situations, you are likely to also have limited access to healthcare, social security, employment, and the right to travel within Europe. Although you may be able to find work, you may be more vulnerable to exploitation and at higher risk of unlawful working conditions (i.e. non-payment, extended working hours.)
STEP BY STEP GUIDE
1. You should start by registering yourself as a user and authenticating yourselves on the SAPA platform.
🔗 SAPA Portal
2. Once authenticated, you can submit your Manifestação de Interesse and upload the required documents on the SAPA Portal.
3. Once authenticated, you can submit your Manifestação de Interesse and upload the required documents on the SAPA Portal.
On the day of your appointment, you must bring all the documents you submitted on the portal.
DOCUMENTS REQUIRED
There are two main visa categories that require different documents:
1. Article 88 n.2 - Residence Permit for Employment in a Subordinate Position.
2. Article 89 n.2 - Residence Permit for Self-Employment.
| FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS | |
|---|---|
| Where can I find AIMA assistance counters? | Through this link |
| How much does this process cost? | It is free |
| I made an error when I first submitted my Manifestação de Interesse in SAPA, what can I do? | You can always alter the information you submitted or even cancel the whole process even if you already submitted it. |
| Can I change my login information? | To change login credentials (email and password) for SAPA Portal access, contact AIMA and request scheduling for data credential changes. |
| How long is the temporary residence valid for? | The temporary residence permit for professional activity is valid for two years from the date of issuance and is renewable for successive three-year periods. |
| Do I need Manifestação de Interesse before I can work? | The Manifestation of Interest is a request for a residence permit to work (self-employed or under a contract). Articles 88 and 89 assume that the individual is working (when they apply for it). One may also submit a promise of contract, in case they are not working when they apply for the Manifestacao de Interesse |
COMMUNITY TIPS & LEARNING
⚠️ SCAMS TO BE CAREFUL OF?
🗞️ NEWS TO BE AWARE OF?
- Request for new credentials: Access the AIMA service portal, click on “SAPA Portal” and choose the “Update email address” option, or access this 🔗link directly.
Enter your identification data, as well as the new email where you want to be notified. When setting a new email, you will also be asked to set a new password. The system will assume this is your new email and you will not be harmed in obtaining an appointment.
If the need to change credentials is on the old SAPA portal: scheduling is necessary, as you will have to validate your identity and replace the old account with the new one.
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