In a request to which the Lusa agency had access, the socialists state that the Secretary of State for Portuguese Communities, José Cesário, announced on Monday that "the entry into Portugal of CPLP citizens would become more demanding, at the same time that those interested could apply for another type of visa that would give them more freedom in the European area".

The PS states that this is "a central matter" of foreign policy and that "it may have implications for the functioning of the CPLP and the relationship between its member states".

In the request, the socialists consider that the announcement made by the Government was "not very clear as to its implications" and therefore want Paulo Rangel to provide clarification "as a matter of urgency" in parliament "so that the full extent of the consequences of what was announced can be assessed".

For the PS, this decision "raises a set of questions that require clarification, including the fact that it may have an impact on the CPLP mobility agreement".

"Firstly, since this is an international agreement, a decision such as the one that has now been unilaterally announced by the Portuguese Government could jeopardise the agreement reached between nine countries", can be read in the request.

According to the socialists, the granting of CPLP visas for Portugal aims to facilitate residence and work in Portugal and guarantee social rights, "which is a decisive contribution to the desired construction of the CPLP citizenship area".

"The decision now announced by the Government breaks with the spirit of the mobility agreement signed by the nine CPLP countries, which aims to express the desire that mobility and circulation in the CPLP area constitute an essential instrument for the deepening of the community and the progressive construction of a CPLP citizenship, as stated in the respective agreement and has been affirmed in various statements by heads of state and government", it also points out.

If there is a change in the administrative requirements for obtaining a CPLP visa, adds the PS, "the consequences will also be felt in the consular structures, which implies a greater workload and more time-consuming processes for visa applicants".

Portuguese-speaking citizens who wish to enter Portugal with a CPLP visa will have to prove that they have means of subsistence until they find work, but if they wish, they can opt for another visa, which allows for circulation in Europe.

According to the Secretary of State for Portuguese Communities, José Cesário, the entry into Portugal of CPLP immigrants will be "more demanding".

In the visa for job hunting, "the person will have to demonstrate that they have the conditions to subsist in Portugal while looking for work", he said.

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