In 2024, the Portuguese government introduced a sweeping set of immigration reforms aimed at improving the country’s approach to immigration, ensuring it is both effective and humane. These changes, announced on June 3rd, 2024, are designed to address a variety of challenges, ranging from the backlog of immigration cases to the integration of immigrants into Portuguese society. Below is a detailed exploration of these new measures, their implications, and the broader context in which they have been introduced.
Ending the Expressions of Interest Procedure
One of the most significant changes is the termination of the Expressions of Interest procedure. This process allowed applicants to regularize their immigration status without obtaining a residence visa beforehand. While initially intended to facilitate smoother transitions for immigrants, the government has determined that it has outlived its usefulness. The termination of this procedure aims to streamline the immigration process and ensure that all applicants follow a standardized and predictable path to residency. A transitional period will be provided to accommodate those currently in the system.
Strengthening Consular Response and Processing Capacity
The government has recognized the need for greater efficiency at Portuguese consulates, where visa applications and other immigration processes have historically faced significant delays. By enhancing the response and processing capacities at Consular Posts, the government aims to reduce wait times and improve the overall experience for applicants. This measure is particularly focused on attracting workers and managing seasonal migration, ensuring that Portugal can meet its labor needs without unnecessary bureaucratic obstacles.
Prioritizing Family Reunification, Students, and Skilled Professionals
Portugal’s new immigration measures place a strong emphasis on facilitating entry for specific groups, including family members seeking reunification, young students, and skilled professionals. These groups are seen as vital to Portugal’s social and economic fabric. By prioritizing their entry and streamlining the visa process, the government hopes to attract talent and support the integration of immigrants who can contribute to the country’s development.
Creating a Mission Structure to Resolve Pending Cases
A key focus of the new measures is addressing the backlog of over 400,000 unresolved immigration cases. The government has established a dedicated Mission Structure, or task force, to tackle these cases. This task force will work through the pending applications in four stages: hiring additional staff, training them, conducting online assessments, and concluding the processes in person. The aim is to clear this backlog efficiently, thereby reducing the strain on the immigration system and providing applicants with the resolutions they have been waiting for.
Upgrading Border Control Infrastructure and Systems
The government has also recognized the need for urgent upgrades to Portugal’s border control infrastructure, IT systems, and databases. These upgrades are critical to improving the efficiency and security of Portugal’s borders. By catching up on delayed implementations of new systems, such as smart borders and the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS), the government aims to enhance border security while facilitating smoother entry for legitimate travelers.
Addressing Congestion at Key Airports
Portugal’s major airports, particularly in Lisbon and Faro, have long suffered from congestion and delays, especially during peak travel seasons. The new measures include specific actions to mitigate these issues, ensuring that border crossings at these airports are more efficient. This will not only improve the experience for travelers but also enhance the country’s reputation as a welcoming destination.
Strengthening the CPLP Mobility Agreement
The Community of Portuguese Language Countries (CPLP) Mobility Agreement is a critical framework for facilitating movement within the Lusophone world. The new measures aim to strengthen this agreement, making it easier for citizens of CPLP countries to access the Schengen Area and extend their residence permits. This will also involve improving the monitoring of responsibility terms and streamlining procedures related to visa appointments, making the process more accessible and efficient for applicants from these countries.
Fulfilling Resettlement and Relocation Commitments
Portugal has made commitments to resettle and relocate beneficiaries and applicants for international protection, including refugees. The new immigration measures reinforce these commitments, ensuring that Portugal continues to play its part in global efforts to support those in need. This includes increasing the capacity of Spaces Equivalent to Temporary Installation Centres (EECITs) and building new Temporary Installation Centres (CITs) to accommodate these individuals.
Improving the Return System
The return system, which handles the deportation or voluntary return of individuals who do not have the right to remain in Portugal, is being overhauled to make it more efficient and humane. The new measures aim to unify the skills required for managing returns across different police forces, ensuring a more coordinated and effective approach.
Combating Abuse and Exploitation
A multi-force inspection team is being created to combat abuses such as human trafficking, illegal immigration, labor exploitation, and human rights violations. This measure underscores the government’s commitment to protecting vulnerable individuals and ensuring that immigration laws are enforced fairly and effectively.
Enhancing Language and Citizenship Processes
Language acquisition is a critical part of the integration process for immigrants. The government plans to audit and improve the linguistic assessment processes required for obtaining Portuguese citizenship. By ensuring that these assessments are fair and effective, the government aims to support immigrants in becoming fully integrated members of Portuguese society.
Attracting Human Capital and Recognizing Qualifications
The new measures also focus on attracting human capital that aligns with the country’s needs. This includes improving the process for recognizing foreign qualifications and competencies, making it easier for skilled immigrants to work in their chosen fields. By promoting professional training for foreign citizens, both within Portugal and abroad, the government is investing in the long-term success of immigrants in the Portuguese labor market.
Supporting Students and Refugees
The government is increasing the number of places available for asylum seekers and refugees in reception centers, as well as boosting the capacity of emergency reception units for unaccompanied minors. Additionally, there will be greater support for foreign students attending Portuguese higher education institutions, including scholarships and cultural training residencies. These measures aim to make Portugal an attractive destination for students and ensure that refugees and asylum seekers are treated with dignity and respect.
Facilitating Access to Services and Integration
Immigrants’ access to essential services such as healthcare and education is also being prioritized. The new measures include promoting immigrants’ access to the National Health Service and simplifying the process for granting educational equivalences. Moreover, the government is committed to strengthening the teaching of Portuguese as a Non-Mother Language (PLNM) and providing multilingual materials to support immigrants in their integration journey.
Institutional Reorganization and Support
On the institutional level, the creation of a Foreigners and Borders Unit within the Public Security Police (PSP) and the restructuring of AIMA (Agency for Immigration and Asylum) aim to enhance the operational capacity and assistance available to immigrants. The government is also restoring the Migration Observatory as a state body to inform public policy and redefining the Council for Migration and Asylum as an autonomous advisory body.
Strengthening Financial Support and Community Engagement
Finally, the government is increasing financial support for immigrant and civil society associations operating in the sector. By doing so, it aims to empower these organizations to better support immigrants and contribute to their successful integration into Portuguese society.
Conclusion
The new immigration measures introduced by Portugal in 2024 represent a comprehensive and forward-looking approach to managing immigration. By addressing both the immediate challenges, such as backlog cases and border congestion and the long-term needs, such as integration and human capital attraction, these measures are set to enhance Portugal’s reputation as a welcoming and efficient destination for immigrants. Through these reforms, the Portuguese government is demonstrating its commitment to creating a fair, humane, and effective immigration system that aligns with the country’s social and economic goals.
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