D7 Visa explained
The national minimum wage of Portugal determines the minimum financial requirements for your D7 Visa applications. As of January 2022, the Council of Ministers approved an increase of the minimum wage from €665 to €705. Therefore, you'll need to have a minimum of €705 per month for 12 months - the minimum means of substance for your D7 Visa equal €8 460 per year.
The main applicant will need €8 460 per year;
Second adult and additional adults 50% of minimum monthly salary (a total of €4 230 per year);
Children and young people under 18 years of age and non-minor dependent children 30% of minimum monthly salary (total of €2 538 per year).
You must not have a criminal conviction that would carry a one-year jail sentence or more in Portugal.
After five years of holding a temporary residency permit, you can apply for both permanent residency and Portuguese citizenship through naturalization.
Other benefits include:
Visa-free travel to the entire Schengen area for up to 90 days out of every 180 days.
Thanks to the fast and easy application process, you can obtain Portuguese residency for your family in as little as 4 - 5 months.
Gain access to the National Health Service Care
Gain access to protection from the Portuguese Law and Legal System
Enjoy a preferential tax rate with the Portuguese Non-Habitual Residency (NHR) Program.
Conduct any professional activity as an independent professional
Conduct any professional activity as an independent professional
Gain access to the National Education Service, schools, and vocational training in Portugal
Apply for citizenship after 5 years.
If you have a residency for 1 year your newborn babies can become Portuguese citizens.
The D7 Visa Is A 2-Part Application
When applying for your Portugal D7 Visa, you'll technically be applying for a visa as well as a residence permit. But, don't worry, it's not as complicated as it sounds. In short, you'll first apply for a Portugal Residence Visa (known as the D7 visa). Afterward, you'll need to travel to Portugal and apply for a Residence Permit at The Immigration And Border Services (SEF).
Portugal D7 Visa Fees
The cost regarding legal fees is relatively low. You can expect to pay the following amount at the Portuguese Embassy:
For your D7 Visa application, you can expect to pay €75
For your Residence Permit, you can expect to pay €90
Can I Apply For My Portugal D7 Visa While I'm In Portugal?
No. You'll need to apply for your Residence Visa (the D7 Visa) within your home country. After receiving your D7 Visa, you need to travel to Portugal to apply for your Temporary Residence Permit.
Can I Apply For My Portugal D7 Visa From Outside The US?
You must be physically present in the US when applying for any visa categories or residency visa for Portugal through the VFS Portugal Visa Application Center in the United States.
However, you can visit Portugal to get the necessary documents. An example would be obtaining a NIF number, opening a Portuguese bank account, and signing a lease.
Who Can Apply For The D7 Visa?
Although the D7 visa is known as a Retirement Visa, anyone can apply for it. As long as you are above the age of 18, eligible, and meet the visa requirements, the program is open to you no matter your country of origin.
How Long Is The D7 Visa Valid For?
Once your application is successful, your D7 visa is valid for 4 months. However, note that you need to apply for your D7 temporary residency permit (in Portugal) within these 4 months.
When Should I Start My Portugal D7 Visa Application?
The earliest you can apply for a D7 visa is 6 months before your planned departure to Portugal. This is because FBI background checks required for the D7 visa are only valid for 6 months. We recommend applying as early as possible as this will leave you enough time to gather all the required visa documents and get familiar with the application process.
How Long Does It Take To Complete The Entire Portugal D7 Visa Application Process?
Because the Portugal D7 Visa is a 2-part visa application, you'll be spending some time obtaining your residency in Portugal. You'll first need to apply for your Portugal Residence Visa within your home country. The processing time for the Portugal Residence Visa is generally around 60 days depending on your application. This does not include the time it takes to gather all the required documents or correct any mistakes you may have made during the application process (incorrect information on the visa application form or missing documents).
Once you arrive in Portugal, you'll need to schedule an appointment at SEF for your temporary residency permit. Depending on the SEF office location, you may have to wait up to 120 days to get an appointment.
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