Lisbon- Portugal has announced a special measure allowing nearly 2,000 Nepali nationals to apply for temporary residence permits, after authorities identified them as victims of a document fraud scheme.

The decision comes after an investigation revealed that many of the affected individuals were misled during their immigration process, leaving them at risk of being forced to leave the country despite not being responsible for the irregularities in their documentation.

By opening a pathway to regularize their status, Portuguese authorities aim to provide legal protection and stability for those impacted. The measure is expected to allow the affected Nepali citizens to remain in Portugal while their residency applications are processed under temporary authorization.

Officials have not indicated that this measure will automatically lead to permanent residency, but it does provide immediate relief for individuals who were previously in a vulnerable legal position due to fraudulent activity carried out by third parties.

The decision has been widely viewed as a humanitarian response, acknowledging the challenges faced by migrant workers who may become victims of exploitation and misinformation during complex immigration procedures.

Further details regarding application procedures and eligibility requirements are expected to be communicated by Portuguese immigration authorities in the coming days.