VFS Portugal D8 Visa Checklist
This is the checklist as of November 2024. Here is where I would highly recommend the facebook group Americans & Friends PT - they have a ‘the visa guide’. It is 99% geared towards D7 visa and I have found stuff with the D8/digital nomad visa largely out of date and/or wrong. But there isn’t much anyway, so that doesn’t really matter. You can use the D7 info as a guide of exactly what they are talking about and examples of most things.
Visa application - pretty straight forward, I’ve asked for 4 entries over a year - will probably only need 3. It is unclear IF this is required or not. This is ultimately the selection of the ‘shorter’ D8 visa that appears to me renewable yearly for ? time. The longer stay nomad visa D8 visa appears to be just exactly like the D7 visa and you are expected to apply for residency. I’ve seen this also referred at the DR visa, but will denote things as D8-short and D8-long. Based on my reading and attending webinars, the below list is ONLY for the D8-short and you should follow the D7 list if you want the D8-long. But I cannot find any real proof of this, just peoples opinions. The facebook group previously mentioned does have some people currently applying for both - so hopefully they will update their experience.
Photos for your visa application - just regular passport photos. I actually went to AAA to get my international drivers permit (something I’ve never been asked for before in Portugal, but figured I’d get it for $20). They took my pics for free and I probably could have gotten the passport photos for free too, but didn’t argue and paid $14.16 for them.
Passport - self explanatory - please note - you MUST take a notarized color copy to the visa appointment to leave there. You do NOT want to leave your passport. This is absolutely OK. You will bring back your passport after your visa is approved and get it added. Recently, they have stated this is only possible via certified mail at the Washington DC office. Will report back when I know. Application approvals are anywhere from 60-90-120 days out. The facebook group has a tracker here.
Proof of regular situation doesn’t apply for U.S. citizens
Proof of means: This is 4x the minimum wage for Portugal. It says to take 3 months of bank statements - I’m bringing: 6 months of bank statements (cover pages), 3 months of pay stubs, and cover sheet for my tax return from 2023.
Valid travel insurance: I did AXA Schengen travel insurance - it only covers for 90 days at a time, but that is all I will be there for at this point and it was relatively cheap and met all the requirements. I found a few exchanges that had a number of options - some cheaper and I may actually get that coverage, but I wanted something that FOR SURE had all the certificates on it for proof of insurance with covid coverage. I also have repatriation insurance with my work insurance, so will probably also take a copy of that. Once (if) you get residency, you can go on the country plan or buy local insurance also. Even without insurance coverage - it is significantly cheaper than U.S. costs.
Criminal record certificate: Already posted about this one here.
Request for criminal inquiry: This is basically a statement in English and Portuguese saying they can do a check - that info is based on the facebook group noted previously. I am going to have that typed out, but am also searching for the SEF form and will post a link when I find it!
Personal statement: This is what you are applying for, why, where you will live, and how you will support yourself. I’ve translated mine into Portuguese also.
Proof of accommodations: I have read such a wide range of what is required for this - no one seems to know. It seems odd to require 6 month lease for a digital nomad, but I think that is only for airbnb type situations - as they know they can be canceled. I have read 3 months is fine, also seen that they require 1 year. I’m doing a bit of a in between. I have a 3 month lease already set up for end of December 2024 - March 2025. I have to return to the U.S. for work and then go to Norway for work - I am noting this in my personal statement. I have a TERMO DE RESPONSABILIDADE / TERM OF RESPONSABILITY form that my friends in Portugal have attested to me staying with them from June until the end of the year 2025 - giving me a full 6 months of proof. I have heard this is risky and people are ‘selling’ these to people, but the Portuguese government is actually checking on these. These are my friends in Portugal and I have stayed with them. But as many of you know, getting a lease for something that won’t occur for 6+ months is problematic sometimes. I have requested a 6 month lease with lagos long lets at the place I’ve stayed, but it is a process and will take time.
Specific documents: This I found little to no guidance on anywhere. Essentially, I just cut and paste my work’s policy into a letter and wrote a letter for my direct supervisor to sign attesting that I can work from Portugal, I have previously, and will continue to get paid by them while I do. For now I am keeping my tax residences (i.e. at least 6 months of the year) in MN. I have spoken to no accountant or lawyer about this, but am simply going with the thought that most people try to get out of paying taxes, not pay them…so we will see. I don’t have a ‘contract’ and most salary people I know don’t, so I think that may be more for freelance workers.
What I am including:
1. work policy
2. letter from supervisor
3. job description/role that states what I do and that it is a remote capable job
Document of fiscal residence: I read this as tax forms
CPLP visa for the exercise of a professional activity done remotely - ‘digital nomads’ - CPLP Mobility agreement - not applicable, U.S. isn’t a Portuguese speaking country.
Proof of address: copy of my drivers license.
***fees - I have to get a money order or cashier check for this and it appears that the cost is adjusted based on the monthly amount of Euros. Since I’m applying the day before Thanksgiving, I’m trying to figure out what it would be in December. Hopefully that will be okay. Will update when I know more after my appointment!
