Required Documents To Submit
You will need:
- Proof that you have the right to family reunification
- Proof of having entered Portugal legally, such as a visa
- Proof of the family ties
- The family membersâ or spouseâs IDs, and copies
- Two passport-size photographs with a white background, if applying at the SEF office in Odivelas, Aveiro, or Braga
- The residentâs ID or passport
- Proof of accommodation
- Proof of sufficient financial means to support the family
- Permission for SEF to access the family membersâ criminal record in Portugal
- The family membersâ criminal record from the country where they have lived in the past year
All documents in a foreign language need an official translation to Portuguese. This is done at a Portuguese notary, your countryâs consulate in Portugal, or a Portuguese consulate abroad.
Once this request has been approved, the spouse or family members may submit their request for a residence visa at a Portuguese consular post.
Portugal Business Visa Requirements
A Portuguese Schengen Business visa is for travellers who need to enter the territory of Portugal for the sole purpose of engaging in business activities, i.e. meetings, contract signing, etc.
Required Documents for a Business Schengen Visa to Portugal
When applying to obtain a Portuguese Business visa, you must provide the following additional documents:
- Letter of invitation or statement of participation by the organization/company in Portugal including details of the event/affiliation and duration.
- Confirmed registration for trade fairs or congress
- A letter from your employer. In this letter should be stated why you will be travelling to Portugal.
- Proof of trip financing. Regarding the applicants expenses during their stay in Portugal, either the employer or the partner company must state coverage of expenses on the letter or invitation.
What Is A Residence Visa
If you are not a citizen of a European Union country, or equivalent and you are planning to remain in Portugal, you should first request a residence visa. Only then can you apply for a residence permit.
The residence visa allows you to remain in Portugal for four months. During that time you may enter the country twice. However, you can ask the SEF to have the duration of your visa extended.
The law provides for a number of specific purposes for which residence visas can be attributed, such as:
- Exercise of professional employment
- Exercise of self-employed professional activity, or for immigrants who invest in Portugal
- Research activity, teaching at an institution of higher education or highly qualified activity
- Study, student exchange, professional internship or volunteering
- Student mobility at higher education level
- Family reunification
- Pensioners, religious, people with an income.
But, besides the aforementioned residence visas for specific purposes, you can always apply for a residence visa. Foreigners can reside in Portugal in order to carry out any activity permitted by law, or even to do nothing, so long as they have sufficient resources.
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Who Can Get A Portugal Golden Visa
You are eligible for a Portugal Golden visa if you are a non-EU/EEA/Swiss national. You need to be at least 18 years old and have no criminal record. The main requirement is that you make an investment in Portugal, which will be explained in detail in the next section. This investment must come from funds from outside of Portugal.
Where To Apply For Portugal Visa
The application for the Portuguese permit is based on the jurisdiction. If your state of residence is Maharashtra, Goa, or the UTs of Daman & Diu or Dadra & Nagar Haveli, you must lodge your application at the Consulate General of Portugal in Goa. Alternately, if you belong to Maharashtra, you can avail the services of a VACs in Mumbai and Pune as well. However, your application will be processed by the consulate in Goa.
If you are from the rest of the states and UTs in the country, you must apply it at the Embassy of Portugal in New Delhi. You can apply it through the VACs located across India as per their jurisdiction.
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Who Does The D7 Entice The Most
If it is your first time applying for a visa for Portugal, then it is good to know that the D7 visa can only be obtained if you are not a citizen of Switzerland or a national of the EU. Individuals who are targeted the most for the D7 visa include:
Pensioners Retired individuals with a Social Security pension or other type of retirement account such as a 401k can enjoy their retirement years within Portugal with no worries.
Remote Workers Being a remote worker has a lot of advantages. One of these is the ability to live abroad while receiving a regular paycheck.
Furthermore, those with financially stable incomes include property investors living off of the rent they collect from tenants or security investments. As long as the minimum amount is maintained, the D7 visa can be obtained.
Portugal Airport Transit Visa
If you are from one of the following countries, you will need to apply for an Airport Transit Visa if you will change flights in a Portuguese airport, even if you do not leave the international transit area:
- Afghanistan
- Democratic Republic of the Congo
- Eritrea
- Passport-size pictures in line with Schengen requirements
- The visa for your destination country
- Certificate of being in a regular situation when the applicant is from a different nationality than that of the country where the visa is being requested
- Your employment certificate and salary
- Bank statements for the last three months
To be able to leave the international transit area of the airport, then you should apply for a visa to transit in Portugal if you are from one of the countries that do not have a visa-free agreement.
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Writing Your Motivations For The Visa
You will need to write out your motivations for the D7 visa. This may be a difficult step of the process as it needs to be clear on why you are seeking the D7 visa to live in Portugal.
As you get started, you need to put yourself in the shoes of those reading your motivation. They may be looking for certain characteristics within an applicant such as:
Being an asset towards Portugal and not a burden. Do this by highlighting your professional career and university education.
Sharing your Portugues connections towards the culture and your true integration plan.
What ties do you have with Portugal? Mention if you have extended family currently living in Portugal.
Explain your financial method of supporting yourself such as a pension, IRA, social security, or job.
What Are The Types Of National Visas
A National Visa is issued for study, internship, work, retirement, and medical treatment, among others.
Temporary Stay Visas allow you to enter and live in Portugal for up to a year. There are no minimum stay requirements, meaning you are allowed to enter Portugal multiple times throughout the year. Take note that the Temporary stay Visa is only valid for 1 year.
Residency Visas can be used if you wish to stay in Portugal for more than 1 year. A Residency Visa is typically valid for 2 years and can be renewed for an additional 5 years. It is extremely popular for those seeking to apply for permanent residency or Portuguese citizenship in Portugal. However, you must meet the minimum stay requirements if you wish to renew your Residency Visa.
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Asylum Seekers And Refugees In Portugal
Portugal allows asylum applications and grants refugee status to persecuted individuals fleeing other countries, in accordance with EU recognition of the 1951 Geneva Convention on the protection of refugees.
According to the European Council Asylum Database, there were 1,849 asylum applications in Portugal in 2019. Only 32.7% of applicants were granted refugee status or emergency protection.
Anyone can make an asylum application in Portugal. You should apply at the SEF or with any Portuguese police authority. Your fingerprints and photo will be taken to submit along with your application.
If you apply for asylum at the Portuguese border on entry, you will stay at a border accommodation center while the Portugal immigration authorities make a preliminary decision on your application. This can take up to seven days. If the application is refused at this point, you will be removed to your home country but will have four days to appeal the decision.
If you make an asylum application inside Portugal, you will be sent to an accommodation center and interviewed in due course by SEF staff with an interpreter present if necessary. The SEF will make a preliminary decision on your application. Positive decisions mean that applicants get a six-month provisional residence permit during which time they can work, study and access social support. However, negative decisions mean that applicants must leave Portugal within 20 days. You can lodge an appeal within 15 days.
Can Portugal’s Golden Visa Get Me Citizenship
The golden visa can absolutely get you citizenship. You must hold your investment for at least five years before youre eligible to apply for permanent residency and a Portuguese passport. With citizenship under your belt, you can enjoy the right to live, work, and study anywhere in the EU and travel visa-free to over 182 destinations. Keep in mind that to acquire citizenship you must have a clean criminal record, have an A2 Portuguese language certificate , and demonstrate to have genuine links to the country .
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You May Feel Overwhelmed
When you see the amount of paperwork and supporting documents you need, you may feel overwhelmed with the D7 Application process. If you do, then you will benefit from having a professional complete it for you.
You may find a lot of D7 information all over the web talking about applying for the visa. However, you can save yourself time and get other important arrangements done while the professional fills out your application.
Because of so much bureaucracy in Portugal, there is a huge amount of uncertainty within the system. By having a professional fill out your application, they will know the ins and outs of what is and is not required. This will make the entire process easier and a lot faster for you to get approved. Plus, with them speaking Portuguese, they will have complete understanding.
As you search for a company to assist in your application, make sure to shop around and inquire about what they provide and don´t provide. The difference may lie in the price you pay. On average, you may pay a minimum of 1,000 or as high as 3,000. The amount you pay may also depend on any requirements you already have met, such as a bank account opened in Portugal.
Check Country Pandemic Regulations
Many countries have precautions in place to prevent the spread of pandemic. It is in your best interest to check beforehand to make sure that Portugal is presently accepting work visa applications and/or whether there are any special precautions in place. You can check here for an update on all information in regards to this situation.
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Portugal Visa Application Form
The Application Form is one of the main Portugal Visa requirements. Every applicant has to fill in and sign the form individually, even when travelling as a group. For minors, the parent or legal guardian has to sign.
The Application form requires information such as your name, nationality, date of birth, the purpose of travel, passport number, contact details, etc.
You can download the form from the Portuguese MFA website .
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Training And Volunteer Work In Portugal
Third-country nationals undertaking unpaid training placements or volunteer work can apply for a special Portuguese residence permit see the requirements for trainees and volunteers.
Upon completion of training, students are entitled to work in Portugal on an employment contract, subject to an application for a change in residence permit being authorized by the SEF.
A residence permit for volunteers is valid for one year, except for in circumstances where a volunteering program lasts longer than one year, and is not renewable. Unpaid employment is possible on this permit.
How Long Can We Stay In Portugal Without A Visa
Nationals of countries that still have not signed a visa-free agreement with Portugal and the other Schengen members must obtain a visa before heading to Portugal, or any other Schengen member country.
Whereas, if you are an EU national, you can enter and remain in Portugal for as long as you wish without the need to obtain a visa or any other document prior to your trip. However, if you wish to stay longer than three months, you need to register at the Portuguese local authorities.
If you are the national of a visa-exempt country, you will be permitted to remain in Portugal for up to 90 days, within a 180 days period. If you wish to stay longer, you may have to undertake the following actions depending on your country of residence:
- Australia, Israel, Japan, Canada, New Zealand, Republic of South Korea or the United States of America you need to obtain a residence permit within three months of arrival in Portugal.
- The rest of Portugal visa-exempt countries you need to obtain a Portuguese National visa for long stays from your country of residence if you wish to stay longer.
IMPORTANT: Make sure you understand the 90/180 Schengen Visa Rule. Do not violate this rule, not even for one day, since you may face consequences for overstaying in the Schengen territory.
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Who Is Banned From Entering Portugal
Due to the detection of the new COVID-19 Omicron variant that is already circulating within the EU, the Portuguese authorities have announced that flights to and from several southern African countries have been suspended.
The travel ban for the Omicron-affected countries follows the recommendation of the European Unions President, Ursula von der Leyen. Von der Leyen advised the Member States to stop all travel to and from the southern African countries that have been affected by the Omicron variant.
In addition, she suggested that travel to and from these areas should remain suspended until there is a clear understanding of the risk posed by the new Coronavirus variant.
Thus, to halt the further spread of the Omicron variant, Portugal has banned entry for all citizens of the following countries:
- South Africa
- Namibia
- Zimbabwe
Nonetheless, Portugal still permits its citizens who have stayed in one of the above-mentioned areas in the last 14 days to return to the country.
All those who enter Portugal after staying in the Omicron-affected areas must stay self-isolated for 14 days at their home in another place indicated by the health authorities.
All passengers from these countries or who present a passport with check-out in the 14 days prior to their arrival in Portugal must complete 14 days of prophylactic isolation at home or in a place indicated by the health authorities, the Portuguese authorities explained.
Residency By Family Reunification
Portuguese laws allows holders of a residence permit to be joined by their immediate family members or dependants.
The holder of a residence permit valid in Portugal will apply to SEF for family reunification for entry into Portugal and residence of the members of his family.
Some of the documents you will need to present to SEF include the following:
- authenticated supporting documents proving the family links involved
- authenticated copies of the identification documents of the applicants family members
- proof of accommodation
- proof of means of subsistence
- a criminal record certificate from the country of origin or the country where the applicant resided for more than one year
For more information on the family reunification visit SEFs website.
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Application For A Temporary Resident Permit
European citizens do not need a residence permit to live in Portugal. They can also stay in Portugal for three months without needing to register. However, after those three months, EU citizens should register with the city hall of their place of residence, and obtain a Registration Certificate , which is mainly for monitoring population levels.
Non-EU citizens will need a residence permit to legally live in the country. Once their visa has been approved, they can enter Portugal and request their residence permit within four months.
As a foreign resident, you will be given a residence card, the TÃtulo de Residência. This card is the equivalent of your ID in Portugal and should be carried on you at all times. Your residence permit is valid for one year. You can renew it for two years, and two more after that, for a total of five years of residence. After those five years of living in Portugal, you can apply for permanent residence.
Portuguese Golden Visa Real Estate Option
Buying Portugal Golden Visa properties is perhaps the most popular way to get residency in Portugal. This is because Portugal is seen as a prime destination among property investors, with a flourishing real estate market, high rental yields, and booming tourism industry.
Many expats buy properties in Portugal for tourism purposes, or to serve as a second home or a retirement destination. You can invest in newly-built residential properties in Portugals interior areas, starting from 500k, or invest in used property for the golden visa.
Alternatively, you can purchase commercial real estate anywhere in Portugal for an investment starting from 500k. If remodeling is your thing, then you also have the option to invest in residential rehabilitation projects starting from 350K in Portugals interior areas or alternatively, invest in commercial rehabilitation projects anywhere in Portugal from 350K.
Note, that you can also get a 20% discount on your real estate investment if its located in a low-density area of Portugal. Low-density areas determine whether a 20% discount rate to your investment applies or not. Low-density regions are defined as having less than 100 inhabitants per square km or a per capita GDP of less than 75% of the national average.
For a full list of low-density areas in Portugal that qualify for a discounted Golden Visa investment, check out our guide to the Portugal Golden Visa low density investment options here.
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