KATHMANDU: Portugal’s recent immigration policy changes have shut down avenues to legal residency for a considerable number of foreigners, among them numerous Nepalis, who entered the country through both regular and irregular means.
Critics argue that this shift will exacerbate the challenges faced by migrants.
In 2022, Nepal ranked second among South Asian nations, with 23,441 Nepali citizens obtaining regular migrant status, marking a nine percent increase from the previous year.
Bangladesh followed closely behind, ranking third with 17,169 Bangladeshis granted legal immigrant status in 2022, showing a substantial 64 percent surge from 2021.
Similarly, Pakistani nationals stood fourth, with 11,385 immigrants legalized last year, indicating a 66% increase from 2021.
Meanwhile, only 134 Sri Lankan nationals were registered as legal immigrants last year, the lowest number among South Asian countries.
For migrants from South Asian countries such as Nepal, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh, Portugal represented a final opportunity to secure permanent residence in an EU nation.
For years, Portugal has been renowned as one of the European Union’s most immigrant-friendly countries, allowing migrants—whether they entered legally or not—to attain legal residency through avenues such as employment, entrepreneurship, or freelancing.
Lisbon’s policy even permitted individuals with valid visas to work across Europe, extending regularization possibilities to those entering without valid visas since 2018. However, this longstanding practice has been abruptly halted by the new government.
On June 3, Portugal’s cabinet proposed a decree aimed at tightening immigration policies, swiftly approved by the president and published in the official gazette.
The government unveiled 42 new measures to regulate migration flows, including the revocation of Articles 81, 88, and 89 of Immigration Law 59/2017.
These articles, which previously facilitated legalization for immigrants working and contributing to social security for at least a year, are now nullified, rendering the legalization process via these channels obsolete.
Migrants account for 10% of population
According to official reports, the number of non-European immigrants has doubled over the past five years.
A significant portion originates from South Asian countries, primarily working in sectors like agriculture, fisheries, and the hotel-restaurant industry.
In 2022, Indians led the list of South Asian countries in obtaining legalization, with 34,232 Indian immigrants regularizing their status in Portugal.
Over the past decade, a considerable number of individuals from Nepal, India, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka have chosen to settle in Portugal. By the end of last year, immigrants constituted 10% of Portugal’s population.
Prime Minister Luis Montenegro has emphasized the government’s aim to curb what he perceives as excessive abuse of migration policies, characterizing these adjustments as a fresh start.
He asserted to the media that these changes were imperative due to overwhelming pressure, despite the necessity of migrants to address Portugal’s declining population.
Government data reveals that approximately 180,000 immigrants were granted legal status in the country last year.
For migrants from South Asian countries such as Nepal, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh, Portugal represented a final opportunity to secure permanent residence in an EU nation.
According to Portuguese authorities, over 86,000 South Asian citizens were granted legal status through the previous pathway between 2018 and 2022.
In 2022, Indians led the list of South Asian countries in obtaining legalization, with 34,232 Indian immigrants regularizing their status in Portugal.
This marked a 12 percent increase compared to 2021, when 30,251 Indians were regularized. Over the period from 2018 to 2022, a total of 118,000 Indian immigrants gained legal recognition in Portugal.
(Inputs from agencies, including AFP)
Comment