Tech Visa: A new Government measure to attract talent

Carolina Sousa Guerreiro, an associate from Telecommunications, Media and Technology (TMT), recently wrote an opinion article about the Tech Visa programme. This programme provides innovative and tech companies with the possibility to obtain residence visas or residence permits for highly qualified foreign workers they wish to hire. To do so, the companies must meet certain requirements and obtain a specific certification from the IAPMEI, I.P.

"As from 2 January, technological and innovative companies that produce goods and services capable of internationalisation can apply on the website of the IAPMEI, I.P. This is the body responsible for evaluating and certifying the companies that will have access to this programme by entering into a contract of employment with a highly qualified worker" the PLMJ lawyer explains.

The requirements are somewhat restrictive: “The applicant companies will also have to obtain a positive assessment of the application based on the three assessment criteria laid down: market potential, degree of technological innovation and orientation towards foreign markets. At least two questions arise in this respect: How many Portuguese businesses will actually be able to meet these requirements? And won’t this catalogue of requirements be excessively demanding, given the intended goal?"

Click here to read the article (in Portuguese)