If you lose your job on a Tech Visa in Portugal, inform SEF within 15 days. You'll have a grace period to find new employment or change visa status.
If you lose your job while holding a Tech Visa in Portugal, it’s important to take specific steps to maintain your legal status and avoid complications. Here’s what you need to know:
1. Notification Requirement
- Inform SEF: If you lose your job, you are required to inform the Serviço de Estrangeiros e Fronteiras (SEF), the Portuguese immigration authority, as your residency permit is tied to your employment. This is a crucial step in maintaining your legal status in Portugal.
2. Job Search Period
- Grace Period for Job Search: After losing your job, you typically have a grace period to find new employment. While the exact length of this period may vary, it generally allows you a few months to secure a new job in Portugal. During this time, your Tech Visa remains valid as long as you actively seek new employment.
- New Employer Requirements: The new employer must be certified by IAPMEI (Instituto de Apoio às Pequenas e Médias Empresas e à Inovação) and meet the same criteria that allowed you to qualify for the Tech Visa initially. Once you secure new employment, your visa status can be transferred to the new job.
3. Impact on Residency Status
- Risk of Losing Residency Permit: If you are unable to secure a new job within the allowed grace period, you risk losing your residency permit. In such cases, you may need to leave Portugal or apply for a different type of visa if eligible.
- Application for Unemployment Benefits: Depending on your situation and contributions to the Portuguese social security system, you may be eligible for unemployment benefits, which could provide financial support while you search for a new job. However, accessing these benefits may also depend on the specific terms of your employment and visa.
4. Alternative Options
- Applying for a Different Visa: If you cannot find a new job within the grace period, you might consider applying for a different type of visa that suits your situation, such as a job seeker visa or a student visa if you plan to pursue further education.
- Returning to Home Country: If no other options are viable, you may need to consider returning to your home country until you can reapply for a new visa or employment opportunity in Portugal.
Summary
If you lose your job while on a Tech Visa in Portugal, you must notify SEF and use the grace period provided to find new employment. Your new job must meet the same criteria as your previous one for you to maintain your visa status. Failing to secure a new job within the grace period could result in the loss of your residency permit, requiring you to leave Portugal or seek alternative visa options.