On 15^th April, the Cooperation Protocol for Regulated Labour Migration, commonly known as the “Immigration Green Lane”, came into force, with the aim of simplifying and expediting the hiring of foreign workers.

This Protocol was signed on 1^st April between the Directorate-General for Consular Affairs and Portuguese Communities (DGACCP), the Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum (AIMA), the Institute for Employment and Vocational Training (IEFP), the Border and Foreigners Coordination Unit (UCFE) of the Internal Security System, the Portuguese Business Confederation (CIP), the Portuguese Farmers' Confederation (CAP), the Portuguese Trade and Services Confederation (CCP), the Portuguese Tourism Confederation (CTP) and the Portuguese Construction and Real Estate Confederation (CPCI).

The “Immigration Green Lane” process complies with the following steps:

• The employer sends all the documentation needed to start the visa application, by email, to the DGACCP – valid passport, proof of tax identification number, proof of social insurance identification number (if it has already been assigned), employment contract, health insurance and travel insurance;
• The file is forwarded to the relevant consular post, which schedules an appointment for the applicants to hand in the original documents;
• Once these documents have been submitted, the application is analysed and the process of issuing the visa begins;
• AIMA and UCFE then issue the necessary opinions to grant the visa;
• Finally, the consular posts take the final decision and inform the applicant of the outcome.

Additionally, for visas to be issued, companies must ensure that the following elements are in fulfilled:

• Valid labour contract;
• A travel insurance and health insurance contract in favour of the worker;
• A vocational training and Portuguese language learning plan;
• Guarantee of adequate accommodation.

Visas must be issued within 20 days of the date on which the applicant attended the consular post.

In order to benefit from this system, business associations must have at least 30 members and an annual turnover of 250 million euros or more. As for companies, they must have at least 150 employees, an annual turnover of 25 million euros or more, no debts to the Social Security or Tax Authorities and a valid permanent certificate code.

The Cooperation Protocol for Regulated Labour Migration does not have a defined duration and can be suspended by AIMA, at any moment, for security reasons or if there is excessive pressure on public services. If the protocol is suspended, visas that have already been issued under this special framework remain valid.