Embassy Alert: Portugal Visa Fraud Spikes Amid Work Visa Suspension

Portugal Visa Fraud Alert

14th November 2025, Kathmandu

The Nepali Embassy in Portugal has issued a critical warning to Nepali citizens residing both in Nepal and the Middle East, urging them to remain highly vigilant against prevalent Portugal Visa Fraud.

Portugal Visa Fraud Alert

This alert comes in response to a recent policy change by the Portuguese government and a subsequent rise in fraudulent activities targeting prospective migrants.

The Embassy clarified in a press release that Portugal has effectively suspended the issuance of all general Portugal Work Visa categories since October 23, 2025. Currently, only visas for highly skilled jobs are being processed.

Despite this official suspension, numerous Nepalis are reportedly being subjected to Visa Scams and false promises of immediate employment opportunities in Portugal.

The Government Policy Change

The Portuguese government enacted a new law (Law No. 61/2025) that came into effect on October 23, 2025. This reform effectively abolished the previous general job-seeker visa and replaced it with a more restrictive visa for “highly qualified specialists.”

The underlying goal is to align immigration policy with the country’s labor market needs, prioritizing skilled talent, particularly in sectors like technology and engineering.

Crucially, the Embassy emphasized that until the necessary regulations and guidelines for the new highly skilled visa are finalized, the processing of new applications under the general work category is impossible. This policy shift creates a legal vacuum that fraudsters are exploiting.

Scammers Exploit Digital Vulnerabilities

The rise in Visa Scams is heavily linked to digital channels. Unscrupulous individuals and unauthorized agencies are using online platforms, social media, and misleading digital advertisements to target vulnerable individuals.

They often employ sophisticated techniques, including fake websites and digitally generated documentation, to create a false sense of legitimacy.

This form of Portugal Visa Fraud poses a severe risk to victims, often resulting in significant financial loss and potential legal complications. The Embassy’s use of a digital press release itself is a counter-measure aimed at ensuring Digital Safety and disseminating accurate information as widely and quickly as possible.

Advertisement

Urgent Embassy Recommendation

The Nepali Embassy stressed the necessity for caution, imploring individuals not to engage in or fall victim to such illegal activities. The central message remains: No one can currently travel to Portugal on a regular work visa.

Prospective migrants must actively verify all employment and visa-related information exclusively through official government channels and the Nepali diplomatic mission. Ignoring this official warning significantly increases the risk of being defrauded.

The Need for Digital Safety and Literacy

This situation underscores the critical importance of Digital Safety and literacy among Nepali citizens seeking foreign employment. Individuals must learn to identify red flags in online advertisements, verify official announcements, and recognize the signs of a fraudulent scheme.

The characteristics of these Visa Scams often include:

• Unrealistic Promises: Guaranteed jobs or rapid visa processing despite official suspensions.

• Demands for Upfront Cash: Requirement of large sums of money transferred outside of official banking channels.

• Lack of Official Documentation: Failure to provide official links, government receipts, or verified contact information.

This wave of Portugal Visa Fraud highlights a national vulnerability where a lack of digital and financial literacy is being exploited by transnational criminal groups.

Promoting Legal and Safe Migration

The Nepali government, through its diplomatic missions, is committed to promoting safe, orderly, and legal migration. However, effective prevention of Portugal Visa Fraud requires a concerted effort from all parties: the Embassy providing accurate information, recruitment agencies adhering to the law, and individual citizens exercising caution and sound Digital Safety practices.

The suspension of the Portugal Work Visa is temporary, but the risk of exploitation is immediate. Until the new immigration framework is fully implemented and processing resumes, citizens must treat any promise of a general work visa with extreme skepticism.

For more: Portugal Visa Fraud Alert