PORTUGAL: Changes in the residency requirements and stricter immigration controls
Portugal, long considered one of the most accessible destinations for European expatriates, is currently undergoing a gradual transformation of its immigration and administrative framework.
Trends observed in 2026:
- Stricter controls on certain long-term visas,
- Changes to the CPLP Residence Permit Program (A community of Portuguese-speaking countries established on July 17, 1996, comprising of nine member states – Angola, Brazil, Cape Verde, Guinea-Bissau, Equatorial Guinea, Mozambique, Portugal, São Tomé and Príncipe, and Timor-Leste – and possessing legal personality and financial autonomy.),
- Extensions of the deadlines for renewing residence permits,
- More strictly regulated family reunification procedures,
- Increased focus placed on situations involving stays under a Schengen visa.
More strictly regulated residency procedures
Since the immigration reform and the replacement of the SEF (Service of Foreigners and Borders) by the AIMA (Agency for Integration, Migration, and Asylum), Residence procedures have been extensively reorganised and digitised, with more thorough administrative checks.
Portuguese authorities are also paying closer attention to compliance with residency requirements and the validity of immigration status. In this context, changes in status resulting from an initial stay under a Schengen visa are subject to heightened scrutiny.
Renewal of residence permits: processing times still vary
Although the implementation of the AIMA digital portal has been successful, several operational challenges remain:
- The process of scheduling appointment remains at times difficult,
- Significant administrative delays,
- Longer processing times for the issuance of new residence cards,
- Occasional technical issues on the online platforms may cause some additional delays, particularly for the renewals and scheduling appointments.
It is recommended that you begin preparing your documents several months before your residence permit expires, even though you can generally submit the renewal application officially via the online platform only about one month before the expiration date.
Once the application has been filed, however, the documents issued by the authorities serve as proof that the applicant’s status remains valid while the application is being processed.
In this context, planning ahead for assignments and contract renewals remains essential to ensure that international employees’ schedules are secure.
CANADA: a more targeted approach to skilled immigration that focuses on economic needs
Canada remains one of the top destinations for international talent, while gradually adapting its immigration policy to better address the needs of the labour market, local capacity, and challenges related to housing and public infrastructure.
Recruitment continues to focus on fields with labour shortages
Canadian authorities continue to prioritise qualified workers in several strategic sectors:
- Health,
- Engineering,
- Information technology,
- Construction,
- Specialised technical fields.
The Express Entry System is shifting toward more targeted selections according to the country’s economic priorities, with a particular focus on skilled workers and French-speaking candidates outside Quebec.
More structured procedures for the employers
Canadien enterprises wishing to hire foreign workers must, in many cases, demonstrate that there are no available local candidates through a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA).
Employers and job seekers should also anticipate:
- Processing times varying by province and program,
- More rigorous file reviews,
- More extensive administrative requirements,
- Increased monitoring of compliance by employers participating in international mobility programs.
In this context, it is strongly recommended that you anticipate and assess eligibility requirements in advance to ensure that international employees arrive on schedule.
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