Nationals of CPLP countries, indicating the Portuguese-speaking, will be able to travel to other European countries if they are holders of the new CPLP residence permit.
The Portuguese government recently announced the changes, which, once approved by the National Assembly, will impact nationals of Angola, Cape Verde, Guinea-Bissau, Mozambique, Sao Tome and Principe, Brazil, East Timor and Equatorial Guinea, Schengen.News reports.
The new measures will reinstate the right for nationals of Brazil and East Timor to apply for a residence permit after entering Portugal. The new changes come in the government’s bid to end the discrimination suffered by these nationals in Portugal.
Citizens of the CPLP [ Community of Portuguese Language Countries ] have, under Portuguese law, a more favourable regime for entry and obtaining a residence permit. Part of this regime was in practice closed; it was announced, and it was described on the website, but it did not work.
Nationals of Brazil & East Timor Exempted From Visa Requirements
Brazil and East Timor visa holders will not have to apply for a visa to enter Portugal. However, nationals of other countries still have to abide by the rules and regulations. Those who obtain CPLP permits will be allowed to move around the EU.
The Minister also pointed out that the new law would permit “uniform documents allowing European mobility” to be issued to CPLP citizens.
The previous government granted CPLP visas to these nationals, but those did not permit movement to other EU countries. This situation caused the EU to open an infringement procedure against Portugal.
New changes have been proposed for the mobility agreement, which will have to be approved by the Government and the Parliament. These changes include issuing CPLP residence permits in a uniform format.
After the law was approved by the Assembly of the Republic, we revoked an ordinance and began issuing CPLP residence permits in a uniform format, which was one of the essential measures of the migration plan.
In addition, it is expected that those who regularly enter Portugal will be granted a residence permit, which will be done by a channel on the platform of AIMA – the Portuguese Agency for Migration.
New Residency Rules for CPLP Nationals to Allow Them to Apply While Being in Portuguese Territory
The new rules will allow nationals of all nine countries to apply for a residence permit while arriving in Portugal on a tourist visa. The CPLP residence permit will be valid for two years and will be issued as a card and not an A4 sheet of paper, as has been previously, Publico.pt reports.
We have to look carefully. The government’s latest measures have all been aimed at criminalising immigration. On the other hand, Portugal needs people, as it has a very ageing population.
According to statistics published by Schengen Visa Info, nationals of CPLP countries have high application rates for Schengen visas to Portugal. Angoleans filed 54,852 visa applications, while Cape Verdeans made 16,725 applicants. Applicants from Mozambique submitted a total of 13,383 visa applications.