The Portuguese government has decided to accelerate the procedures of obtaining residence permits for athletes who are in the immigration process.
Due to pressure from the League of Clubs and sports federations in Portugal, the Prime Minister’s Executive has agreed to make an exception, which will apply to the decree-law of June 3 that put to an end the right to express interest for immigrants who are already present in the country, Schengen.News reports.
The Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum (AIMA) IP will sign a protocol with organisations, sports clubs and federations, in order to speed up the process.
Signatories include the following:
- The Foreigners and Borders Coordination Unit (UCFE)
- The Portuguese Handball Federation
- The Portuguese Basketball Federation
- The Portuguese Football Federation
- The Portuguese Skating Federation
- The Portuguese Volleyball Federation
- The Portuguese Professional Football League
Government Makes Exception After Pressure From Club & Sports Federations
After meeting with sports federations of several disciplines such as handball, basketball, football, skating and volleyball, Luís Montenegro’s Executive agreed to the club’s demand for “the exceptional appeal” included in Article 123 of the Foreigners Law.
The specific situation of professional athletes, the economic and social relevance and the public interest of professional sports justify procedures that allow for rapid processing of their documentary situation in national territory.
In the government’s press release, it is clarified that “the economic and social relevance and the public interest of professional sport” is the basis for this decision, as it ‘justifies’ the measures undertaken to process athletes’ documents in a shorter period.
Pedro Proença, president of Liga Portugal said that the clubs will have no issue ending this transfer.
I think we will have a structural solution to the problem so that the clubs can end this transfer window with some peace of mind.
Many Football Clubs Were Discontent With the End of Expression of Interest
FC Alverca, Santa Clara, Estrela da Amadora and UD Leiria, were among the clubs that pointed out the displeasure with the end of expressions of interest as well as the delay in the process of regularisation.
The government decided on June 3 that clubs cannot show interest in regularising the migration process of foreigners who arrived in Portugal on a tourist visa.
This rule could follow many cases of foreign nationals coming to the Schengen Area for other purposes, including sports events, and wishing to remain in the country.
In the last months, there have been countless times when third-country nationals arriving in Schengen Area for performances, overstayed their visas or applied for asylum after entering the zone.
Such a situation has caused some countries to become more cautious when granting visas.