Realizing this is not about the standard short-stay Schengen visa, but seeing the recurring confusion here, I wanted to clarify the situation.
So FYI, the new workflows for the Portugal Job Seeker Visa are fully operational.
The Update: Applications must now be submitted directly within the consulate network of your country of residence initially. The previous method of relying solely on the IEFP declaration online before securing a consulate slot is shifting; the consulate now acts as the primary gatekeeper for eligibility verification. This ultimately will be the law moving forward for all non-EU applicants.
The Constraint: Authorization is strictly limited to those deemed “highly qualified.” This is no longer a loose definition. You must hold a bachelor’s degree or higher, or have a certified specialization in a regulated sector IN the country of origin that matches Portuguese standards.
Just letting you know to prevent a wasted trip to the embassy.