Yes, it is possible to switch employers while on a Tech Visa in Portugal by informing SEF and providing documentation from the new employer to ensure alignment with visa requirements.
Yes, you can switch employers while holding a Tech Visa in Portugal, but there are specific conditions and steps you must follow to ensure that your visa status remains valid. Here’s what you need to know:
1. Notification and Approval Process
- Inform SEF: If you decide to switch employers, you must inform the Serviço de Estrangeiros e Fronteiras (SEF), the Portuguese immigration authority. This is a crucial step as your residency permit under the Tech Visa is linked to your employment.
- New Employer Certification: The new employer must be certified by IAPMEI (Instituto de Apoio às Pequenas e Médias Empresas e à Inovação). This certification ensures that the company meets the criteria necessary to employ Tech Visa holders. If the new employer is not certified, you may face challenges in transferring your visa.
2. Maintaining Visa Validity
- Job Role Requirements: The new position should be in a similar field and meet the same technical requirements that qualified you for the Tech Visa initially. This means the role should still be within the tech sector and involve specialized skills that are in demand in Portugal.
- Continuous Employment: To avoid any gaps in your residency status, it’s essential to ensure that your transition between employers is seamless. Ideally, your employment with the new company should begin immediately after your previous job ends, or within any grace period allowed.
3. Document Submission
- Updated Employment Contract: When you switch employers, you will need to submit an updated employment contract from the new company to SEF. This contract will be used to update your residency permit details and confirm your continued eligibility under the Tech Visa program.
- Other Documentation: Depending on your situation, SEF may request additional documentation, such as proof of the new employer’s certification by IAPMEI or updated proof of income and financial stability.
4. Impact on Residency Permit
- Residency Permit Update: Once you successfully switch employers and provide all necessary documentation, SEF will update your residency permit to reflect your new employment. This ensures that your legal status in Portugal remains uninterrupted.
- Potential Risks: If the new employer does not meet the certification criteria or if there are significant gaps between your jobs, you risk having your visa status compromised, which could lead to the loss of your residency permit.
Summary
Switching employers while on a Tech Visa in Portugal is possible, but it requires careful coordination. You must inform SEF, ensure that your new employer is certified by IAPMEI, and maintain continuous employment in a qualifying role. Properly updating your documentation with SEF is essential to maintaining your legal residency status in Portugal.