Job Seeker Visa

What are the requirements to receive a visa for jobseekers?

• You are able to provide proof of vocational or academic training.
• Your qualifications are recognised in Germany or are equivalent to a German degree or diploma. If you are seeking employment in a regulated profession, i.e. in healthcare, a professional practice permit is mandatory. For more information on the recognition procedure, please see Recognition.
• Have you completed vocational training? If so, you must provide proof of possessing the German language skills required for the job you are seeking. Generally speaking, a minimum level of B1 in accordance with the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) is required.
• You are able to prove that you can cover your costs of living, since you are not able to enter into remunerated employment during this time. Proof of being able to cover living costs can be provided in the form of a blocked account or a Declaration of Commitment.

The job seeker visa entitles its holder to enter and remain only in Portugal for the purpose of looking for job; authorizes him/her to carry out a subordinated work activity, until the visa expires or until the residence permit is granted.

This visa is granted for a period of 120 days, renewable for another 60 days and allows only one entry into Portugal.

The issuance of this visa supposes the attribution of a date of scheduling in the competent services, within the period of validity of 120 days of the visa, and it allows the applicant, after the formalization of the employment contract throughout that period, the right to apply for a residence permit. To do so, you must fulfil the general conditions for granting a temporary residence permit, under the terms of article 77 of the Law.

Once the maximum validity limit of the visa for looking for work has expired, without an employment relationship having been established nor the process of requesting the granting of a residence permit having begun, the visa holder must leave the country.

In these situations, you can only re-apply for a new visa application for this purpose, one year after the expiry of the previous visa’s validity.

The request for a visa extension by a job seeker visa holder must be accompanied by proof of registration with the IEFP, I.P., and a declaration by the applicant indicating that the conditions of the planned stay are maintained, which will be assessed considering the reasons that justified its issuance.

 

GENERAL DOCUMENTATION

• National Visa application filled and duly signed by applicant;

• Passport or other travel document, valid for 3 months after the estimated date of return. Photocopy of passport (biographical data);

• 2 Photos, even, passport type, recent and in good condition to identify the applicant (1 for this form);

• Proof of regular situation in case of residence in a country other than the country of current nationality;

• Request for criminal record enquiry by the Immigration and Border Services (SEF) (Not applicable to minors under the age of sixteen);

• Criminal record certificate, issued by the competent authority of the country of the applicant’s nationality or of the country where the applicant has resided for over a year (except for applicants under sixteen), with the Hague Apostille (If applicable) or legalised;

• Valid travel insurance, covering necessary medical expenses, including urgent medical assistance and possible repatriation;

• Transport document – Roundtrip flight reservation showing date of departure and date of return;

• Proof of financial resources equivalent to at least the sum of three guaranteed monthly minimum salary.

Proof of the financial resources may be waived upon presentation of a term of responsibility with recognized signature made by a Portuguese citizen or a foreign citizen, with a legal residence authorization in Portugal, which guarantees food and accommodation for the visa applicant, as well as the repatriation costs, in case of irregular stay.

The signatory of the responsibility term must also prove to have financial capacity in the amount of, at least, three times the value of the guaranteed minimum monthly salary (€705).

SPECIFIC DOCUMENTS  

• Declaration with indication of the conditions for the estimated stay.

• Proof of presentation of a declaration of expression of interest for enrolment in the IEFP (EN)/ (PT) / (FR) / (ES). 

Before filling out the application form (step 2) and booking an appointment (step 3),
please prepare the following documentation for your job-seeker visa:

• valid passport (issued within the last 10 years and with at least 12 months validity left at the time of submission of the application)
• 1 copy of your passport’s data page (A4 size copy)
• 3 passport pictures according to biometric specifications
• cover letter from applicant explaining the exact course of action to find employment in Germany as well as further career plans should stay in Germany be unsuccessful

• Personal CV containing full education and employment history
• Proof of accomodation in Germany for the initial period of 30 days
• Proof of financial means to cover the costs for the time of your stay by one of the following documents:
  –  Blocked account for the sum of 5,604 Euros
  – “Verpflichtungserklärung” (formal obligation letter) by sponsor living in Germany
  – bank account etc.
• Proof of personal status in India birth certificate of applicant, Aadhar card (with English translation) if applicable

• Proof of health insurance
  ONE of the following documents:
  • Proof of a private German health insurance which fulfills the below mentioned requirements and starts at your tentative travel date
  OR
  • Proof of a public German health insurance, which consists of a letter from your German healthcare provider, as well as a travel health insurance for the first three weeks.
  OR
  • Proof of a private foreign (including Indian) health insurance including the policy you choose which fulfills the below mentioned requirements and starts at your tentative travel date