The expression of interest (manifestação de interesse) is an exception to the general rule foreseen in the law to apply for a residency permit to work or self-employment. Under the general terms of the law, for a foreign citizen to apply for a residency permit to work in Portugal, he needs to apply for a residency visa at the Portuguese embassy of his country of origin or residency. However, if a foreign citizen travels and enters Portugal under a tourist visa or residency permit status and finds a job during his visit to the country, he may apply for a residency permit to work or self-employment through the application and deposit of expression of interest online to AIMA – Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum. From that expression of interest and until the moment that is accepted by AIMA, the applicant will not be in a complete legal situation/status, but under a “regular” situation/status, because it will be waiting for a decision from the immigration authority. In this case, he or she will be able to stay and live in Portugal, but not travel to other Schengen countries until his/her application for a residency permit is approved or not.
