Friend in Portugal facing deportation after finishing school – need advice
Hi everyone,
I’m posting on behalf of a close friend who is in a really difficult and time-sensitive situation, and we’re trying to understand what options she might still have.
She is originally from Brazil and has been living in Portugal for the past few years. She recently finished high school and had been trying to find a job to save money before applying to university.
On April 7th, she received an email saying her request to renew her ID/residence was rejected due to lack of documentation. The main reason given was that she is no longer in school and does not have a job, so they “don’t know how to define” her status.
She was given 20 days to return to her home country or go to another place where she can stay legally.
What makes this situation especially difficult is that she is the only one in her immediate family facing this issue:
- Her stepfather is a European citizen
- Her younger brother (her stepfather’s son) is also a European citizen
- Her mother has recently received her residence/ID in Portugal
- Her grandmother (who is disabled) is under her mother’s care
Everyone else in her family is legally staying in Portugal, and she is the only one being asked to leave.
She has been actively applying for jobs but hasn’t secured one yet.
She also went to a legal consultancy today and was sent to two different places, but both said they couldn’t help because her case is “too specific.”
We’re trying to understand:
- Is there any way to appeal this decision or extend the deadline?
- If she manages to get a job quickly, can she switch to a work-based residence permit from within Portugal?
- Does her family situation give her any legal basis to stay so she isn’t separated from them?
I can try to get more specific details from her if that would help clarify anything.