Hey folks, I’ve been planning to move to Portugal on their job seeker visa, but I just heard about these new changes to the rules. Apparently, there’s something about only ‘highly qualified’ people now, and I think you might have to apply from outside Portugal instead of while you’re already there. I’m a software engineer with 5 years experience – does that count as highly qualified? And can I still apply if I’m visiting on a tourist visa? My plans are set for next month, so any updates or advice would be a lifesaver! Thanks!
Hi Priya! As a fellow developer, I get the stress. From what I’ve read, ‘highly qualified’ usually means advanced degrees or specialized skills in demand fields like tech. Your 5 years in software engineering should qualify, especially if you have certifications. But yeah, the new law requires applications through consulates abroad – no more doing it in-country. Check the official Portuguese immigration site for the exact list of qualifying professions. Best of luck! 
Oh no, that sounds tricky! I was looking into Portugal too for work opportunities. Follow-up:has anyone successfully applied under the new rules yet? And what’s the timeline for these changes to kick in? Priya, you might want to contact the Portuguese embassy in your country for personalized advice.
Hey everyone, jumping in here. The law just passed parliament, so implementation might take a few months. For Priya:yes, tech pros like devs are in demand, so you should be good if you provide proof like your resume and maybe a skills assessment. Can’t apply from inside anymore – gotta do it from home. Haha, bureaucracy at its finest! If you’re in India, the consulate in New Delhi handles it. Fingers crossed for you! 
@priya_yogi The old Portugal job seeker visa is basically being replaced by a new “highly qualified / skilled” version and, in practice, it’s not running smoothly yet. You should not assume you can just apply like before, especially not next month.
A software engineer with 5 years’ experience + a relevant degree is exactly the kind of profile they want to target. But the exact criteria and process are still being finalised, and the final decision will be with the consulate.
So you should not plan to enter on a Schengen tourist visa and then switch to a job seeker visa from inside Portugal.
If I were you: enjoy your trip next month as pure tourism, and plan to apply for the new skilled/job seeker route from India once the consulate officially opens that category.