Portugal D7 Visa Requirements: A Path to Residency - Part One
All the steps…
…and there are many. Between figuring out which type of Portugal residency visa to apply for (we decided the Portugal D7 visa was right for us but the new Portugal Digital Nomad visa is another great option as well as the Portugal Golden Visa if you can afford it), wrangling all the proper documentation, and figuring out what the hell getting something apostilled means, if you want to apply for a residency visa on your own, you’ll have your work cut out for you. It’s absolutely possible to DIY the process, but it will take time, patience, and excellent organizational skills.
Even though we’re using an immigration lawyer in Portugal to help us with assembling our application package, she still gives us “homework” and we’ll still be the ones going through the process. She is more of a Portuguese-speaking, Portuguese law-knowing sherpa who is guiding us through the process, not someone who can just do it for us. It doesn’t really work that way.
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Types of Portugal Residency Visas
Originally, we planned to apply for a Portugal Golden Visa, which essentially allows you to buy your way to residency through several approved types of investment in the country. The price is steep, and when I started digging a little deeper into our options, I found the Portugal D visas—known as Type 1 visas in the States.
There are several types of Portugal D visas for entrepreneurs and the self-employed, students, retirees, those seeking family reunification, and the new Portugal Digital Nomad Visa. Each of these requires a 2-step process where one first gets the D visa and then applies for residency within 120 days of entering Portugal.
We will be applying for the D7 visa, widely used by retirees who collect passive income from sources like Social Security, 401k’s, or pensions, but more loosely used by people who have income from other sources like online businesses, investment properties, or other businesses or investments not carried out in Portugal. This was a great option for digital nomads, those who are financially independent, and those who are able to work remotely for their current company, but with the recently launched Portugal Digital Nomad Visa, there are more options now.
Where to Apply for a Portugal D7 Visa
Applicants must apply for a Portugal residency visa from their home country. You can not apply if you are already in Portugal (although you can and should take advantage of being able to easily obtain a NIF and open a bank account).
Recently, Portuguese consulates in New York City, San Francisco, and Washington, DC partnered with VFS Global to process visa applications. Applicants who live in the states below will file online applications at the VFS website and will appear for their personal interviews at the VFS Global office in those cities. If you are not under the jurisdiction of a VFS Global office, you will apply at the consulate for which you are under jurisdiction.
I recommend calling your specific office to discuss requirements.
VFS Global Areas of Jurisdiction
WASHINGTON DC:
States of: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Wisconsin, and the District of Columbia
NEW YORK:
States of: Connecticut, Michigan and New York Territories of American Virgin Islands, Bahamas, Cayman Islands, and Puerto Rico
SAN FRANCISCO:
States of: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming
Consular Areas of Jurisdiction
BOSTON:
States of: Maine, Massachusetts (except the area covered by New Bedford), New Hampshire, and Vermont
NEW BEDFORD:
Counties of: Barnstable, Bristol, Dukes, Nantucket, and Plymouth
Cities of: Acushnet, Dartmouth, New Bedford, and Fall River
NEWARK:
States of: Delaware, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania
PROVIDENCE:
State of: Rhode Island
Requirements for a Portugal D7 Visa
Below is a brief overview of what is needed to apply for a D visa. Accurate at the time of publication, but as I’ve stated, things change quickly and often. One of the craziest things I’ve realized so far is that there is very little consistency in the process. Some offices require some things, and others don’t. It’s the Wild Wild West over here y’all, but I’ve done my best to break it down for you. Take this as a guide, but please reach out to your jurisdiction office to confirm. There are tons of nuances and gray areas, especially when it comes to accommodation and means of subsistence to name a few.
My advice: check, double-check, triple-check, research the requirements and ask questions from people who have recently gone through the process at your assigned VFS or consulate location.
And if all else fails, hire a relocation expert or Portuguese immigration lawyer.
Good luck!
Official Application Form
The form is available in English and Portuguese. Requirements often state it must be completed in Portuguese, but most, if not all, Portuguese consulates and VFS offices are currently accepting the English version.
Número de Identificação Fiscal (NIF)
Similar to a U.S. Social Security number, this is your tax identification number in Portugal. If you are in Portugal, you can go to any Finanças office to obtain this. There are also ways to get this while still in the U.S.
Proof of Accommodations
Typically, a rental or purchase contract or proof of short-term stay agreement for three, four, or six months was sufficient, but requirements have changed recently and vary wildly from consulate to consulate, VFS office to VFS office. No idea why, but check with the requirements for your office of jurisdiction and/or call for specifics.
Marriage & Birth Certificates
Typically, required for the purposes of family reunification or if one spouse is financially dependent on the other. Must be issued recently and apostilled. Two adults applying together usually do not need this.
Flight Itinerary
Technically, applicants are required to show proof of prepaid return flights with the return date before the expiration of the one-year residency visa. As of now, no offices are requiring proof of a return flight, but some are requiring proof of departure (one-way).
Passport
Applicants must have a passport valid for at least three months after the 120-day visa expires (six months from the initial date of travel to Portugal), have at least two blank visa pages, and include a notarized copy of the identification/dates of validity page(s).
Funded Portuguese Bank Account
Applicants must provide proof of a Portuguese bank account funded with no less than the minimum amount required for proof of means of subsistence. While some are approved with the minimum, according to my lawyer, more is more is better.
FBI Criminal Record Certificate
You can request your record electronically or by mail directly from the FBI or go through an approved channeler. If you choose to have it emailed to you, you’ll receive it faster but will have to get it apostilled. If you choose to have it mailed, it will take a little longer but as long as you don’t open the sealed envelope, you do not need the apostille.
International Medical Travel Insurance
Applicants must provide proof of health insurance valid in Portugal and that meets the Schengen Area requirements. It must include coverage for emergencies, funeral and health repatriation, and COVID-19.
Proof of Legal Status
If you’re a third-party national (living legally in the U.S. but not a U.S. citizen) you’ll need to show documentation (green card, U.S. visa, or other documents) that proves you are legally residing in the U.S.
Passport Photos
Applicants must provide two European passport-size photos, although, typically, only one is used. Photos must be on a white background and taken within the last six months. Make sure you do not affix photos to the application.
Proof of Means of Subsistence
Somewhat a gray area, this is where you show how you plan to survive financially year over year through passive income, independent wealth, etc. using bank and/or investment statements, a social security benefits letter, letter of employment, etc.
Portuguese Criminal Record Check
Applicants must provide this form that authorizes the Immigration and Borders Service to consult the applicant's Portuguese criminal record. Children under 16 years old are exempt.
Personal Statement
According to our lawyer, the most important document, this letter of intent explains who you are, why you want to settle in Portugal, where you’ll reside, your ties to Portugal, etc. The AFIP 2021 Visa and Permits Guide warns against giving too much detail, as any and all info provided will be considered for its likelihood of success.
References
Some offices sometimes require applicants to submit a Portuguese reference such as your attorney, landlord, a friend or family member, etc. who is an EU national or has permanent Portuguese residency. If asked, you’ll need to provide the reference's name, address, phone number, citizenship, and include a copy of the person's national ID or residence card.
Once you’ve assembled your application package it’s time to schedule your interview with the Portuguese consulate or VFS Global office responsible for your state. Timing can be very tricky and differs between the two. If you’re applying through a consulate, you must apply between 15 days and six months before your date of departure. If you’re applying through a VFS Global office, you must apply no more than 90 days from your departure date.
Assuming your interview goes smoothly, once your application is submitted, it takes an average of 60-90 days to receive a determination. Sometimes, they may ask for additional documentation before making a determination. Sometimes not. Some people get approved very quickly and others go well past the 90-day mark. May the odds be ever in your favor!
While you wait, make sure you check these additional resources for planning your move to Portugal, including shipping household goods to Portugal, which VPN is best, why you need a virtual mailbox, best way to move money abroad, and more.
NOW LIVE!
Part Two: The Application
In Part Two, I delve into the interview process and detail our own personal experience.
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