Good expeditor to help with D7 Portugal visa?

I read in an old post about the idea of using an "expeditor" instead of a lawyer to assist with obtaining a visa. Frankly, what I have been quoted is too much from lawyers (5000 euros).

In the thread two companies were mentioned but one seems to be closed now, and the other one has a waiting time of over a month.

Any recommendations?

Go to YouTube and search "portugal calling: the D7 visa." This is an hour long podcast from " Good Morning Portugal" that profiles a company based in Lisbon that can supposedly expedite the D7 process for @$1500. It seems pretty compelling. Watch it and decide for yourself.

The company's URL is:

http://eimigrante.pt/en/services/

Hello, i have used a lawyer (Edge International) who never asked me such an amount. You may want to check with them because it was three years ago.

Thank you both for this!

Hi Hazmog, Welcome  :)

At this time of the pandemic, it does not make sense to apply for such services you have mentioned here, which are unnecessarily very expensive and dependent on third services (consulates, embassies, SEF/Serviço de Estrangeiros e Fronteiras) that are currently very limited in working due to the pandemic.

Those services will not speed up the visa process, which is the only advantage they have over doing by yourself the whole process.

If you have urgency about your visa, I suggest you to apply for a less expensive lawyer.

______

A. Visa Requests: Apply for Residence/Renewals and e-Visa Online Platform

This visa application can be made online without third parties involved. Due to the entry restrictions still in force, in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, this system currently only processes national visa applications. But you can register, see the options available, ...

The e-VISA is the platform of the Portuguese Ministry of Foreign Affairs aimed at simplifying visa application procedures.

Visa applicants receive a personal access code that allows them to follow up the process online, broken down into four stages:
1. "registered application" / "pedido registado"
2. "application under examination" / "pedido em análise"
3. "application granted or refused" / "pedido deferido ou indeferido"
4. "visa issued" / "visto emitido"

This e-Visa Portal is available in the following languages: Portuguese, English, French, Ukrainian and Russian.

https://pedidodevistos.mne.pt/VistosOnline/

Due to the pandemic, there are limitations on visa applications on this platform from March 2020.

______

B. Apply for a VISA to Portugal in the UK

https://www.vfsglobal.com/portugal/uk/index.html

Due to the pandemic, there are limitations on visa applications on this platform from March 2020.

______

C. Lawyer

Google tip: search at "Visa lawyer Portugal"

Your legal lawyer must have identified clearly in their "About us" webpages:
"Registo na Ordem dos Advogados" / Portuguese Bar Association registration
and/or
"NIPC" (Número de Identificação de Pessoa Coletiva) / Legal Person ID Number

Choose one with the address in Portugal and get in touch by phone or email.

Best regards

To be perfectly honest, I did it all myself in Canada. I hired a lawyer for €40 to help with my residence status for my fiscal number. Nothing else.

Thanks, I'm doing this now Lorie

That's great! Good luck. Let me know if you wan the name of the lawyer.

Lorie

Johnny, I also wanted to thank you for this information, in particular
https://pedidodevistos.mne.pt/VistosOnline/

Sorry for not acknowledging it before, I have been overwhelmed lately!

Unfortunately, it says

"The Portuguese diplomatic representation of your country of residence does not have this online service available. Thank you."

I guess I will do this in person.

Unfortunately, in these covid times, things become more complicated....

"ALERT: Due to the entry restrictions still in place, in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, this system is currently only processing national visa applications."

Thanks for the tip Lorie, as I'm considering doing the same. I've seen nifonline provides the same service. May I ask who you used for getting your NIF remotely?
Also how did you take care of "proof of accommodation"? It seems like Air BnB isn't accepted any longer.
And one more: did you have to/could you open a bank account remotely?
Cheers!

These guys were great for a NIF https://nifonline.pt/

Hi!

I had a lease just from October through until the end of May and that was accepted. The bank I visited in person. I hope that helps!

Lorie

Patrick Dolberg wrote:

Hello, i have used a lawyer (Edge International) who never asked me such an amount. You may want to check with them because it was three years ago.


Hey, may I know how much they charged you? and if their service includes opening the bank account and obtaining the tax number? Because I contacted a lawyer from Edge and they asked for 6,500 Euros

Dear Lorrianne

Please can I have the contact details of the solicitor.

Thanks.

Buds

Hi All

I am trying to get my mum over from South Africa to hopefully apply for family re-unification. I would like to know if any members have had any experience or can advise on the best way forward. I have a residence permit for 5 years.

Thanks

Buds.

Hi,

Here are her details:

Karlla Quintanilha.

Solicitadora.

C.P. 6695

Rua Direita, n.º5, loja H.

8500-624- Portimão.

Tel: 965392034

email: [email protected]

            [email protected]

Thank you Lorie Anne.

For this link:

https://pedidodevistos.mne.pt/VistosOnline/

Can you confirm if this is for the D7 application or the initial temporary visa application? I am guessing the D7 from our previous conversation but just wanted to make sure.

Hi Mark,

The Portuguese embassy in Rome does not have information about visas, because both Italy and Malta belong to the Schengen area, and since you are a non-EU citizen living in one of those countries, as it is your case, this becomes even harder to understand.

But as you can see in a Portuguese Consulate in the USA, the whole process is better understood:

http://www.consulateportugalnewbedford. … nac-us.php

In other words, to obtain visas, you must request an appointment with:
https://pedidodevistos.mne.pt/VistosOnline/
(In the top right menu, select english version)

But due to the entry restrictions still in place, in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, this system is currently only processing national visa applications (only for Portugal) and not visas for the Schengen area.

What is the difference between a Schengen Visa and a National Visa?
A Schengen Visa allows a foreigner to visit Schengen countries (Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Slovakia, Slovenia, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Norway, Czech Republic, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland) up to 90 days whereas a National Visa is valid only for Portugal (not the European Union).


What are the different National Visas?

Residency:
https://www.vistos.mne.pt/en/national-v … /residency

Fee: equivalent to 90 euros.
The D7 visa is included in this residence visa category.


Temporary Stay:
https://www.vistos.mne.pt/en/national-v … orary-stay

Fee: equivalent to 75 euros.

______

Also see this:

https://eportugal.gov.pt/noticias/plata … eletronico

KR

Thanks a lot for this, and thanks for always give a lot of valuable information!

I'm still a little confused from some of the information as to:
1) I'm not sure if I can apply via this portal? If its as easy as this wouldn't most people do this?
2) My understanding is I need the international one to apply for the temporary and the D7 has to be applied for in person within Portugal?
3) When you say to make an appointment with pedidodevistos, do you mean online or in person?

Apologies for all the questions, it seems we're in an unusual situation and i've been getting a lot of contradictory information

You're welcome.

1) This is just a visa application, to submit the documentation and get an appointment....

You will most likely have to go to Rome, and then you will have to go to Portugal, for an interview with SEF. This portal is recent, since March 2020 (and due to the pandemic, by the way...)


2) You can apply for temporary or residence visas on this portal. The D7 visa must be requested by you in this portal. It is not in Portugal that you apply for the residence visa. Then, you must go to Portugal for an interview with SEF, with an appointment made by SEF, and only then you are informed if the visa was approved or not.

Watch this video:

https://youtu.be/EQ6sLYQrhb4
(after minute 4)

3) This is a visa application and pre-scheduling, only.

Really useful thread thanks everyone.

Can i ask some advice as i'm not clear on the requirements for the following even having watched hours of videos on how to apply for the d7.

For context i'm 38 and British (yes that sucks now i know) and tick all the boxes for the D7 remote worker plus passive income visa.

Questions are:

- Do i need an NIF number before i go to my embassy D7 application appointment? If so any advice on how to get this remotely?
- Do i also need bank account for this?

Many thanks for sharing your wisdom and experiences.

Ash

Hi Ash, Welcome.

Please read these links:

NIF or bank account required for D7?
https://www.expat.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=911739

Solicitors, Lawyers & Administrative division of Portugal
https://www.expat.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=941009

Best Regards

Hi Lorie,

How long did you wait to receive your passport in Canada? I'm planning to apply in Vancouver, but I have a travel plan to London in a month, wondering if I should do it there instead.

I am an American living in Uruguay. Can I go to the local Portuguese embassy or do I need to go to the one in New York to apply for D7 Visa?

Hi Jimbishop,

You will need to apply for an appointment at the Portuguese consulate/embassy in your current region / country where you live (Uruguay).

https://portaldascomunidades.mne.gov.pt … ca/uruguai

Lori
I have had a difficult time in getting a visa at the San Francisco office.  My wife and I are leaving for Portugal august 31 and will not have enough time to obtain a D7 visa.  Please let me know the name and phone number and email of the lawyer that helped you.  Thanks,
Abe

Hi Abe,
The information that Lorie provided in post #18, is here:

http://www.osae.pt/pt/pesquisas/1/1/1

Fill in:
Concelho = Portimão
Distrito    = Faro

Then press "Pesquisar".

The one that Lorie provided here is in position 17 of this search resulting list.

_____

Previous link is one you can find here and which I have already mentioned to you:

Solicitors, Lawyers & Administrative division of Portugal
https://www.expat.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=941009

This forum does not advertise a specific lawyer or solicitor. We provide search tools so you can look for what you want.

In Portugal, the great majority of these professionals understand English well, so this issue is not a problem...

LorieAnneC wrote:

Hi!

I had a lease just from October through until the end of May and that was accepted. The bank I visited in person. I hope that helps!

Lorie


Thanks for info. U mean u booked an accommodation via Airbnb and it was accepted. Right?
As for the bank, how could u visit it personally, if bank account has to be opened prior visa application and u were not in Portugal?

JohnnyPT wrote:

Hi Jimbishop,

You will need to apply for an appointment at the Portuguese consulate/embassy in your current region / country where you live (Uruguay).

https://portaldascomunidades.mne.gov.pt … ca/uruguai


Thanks for info. We're living now in Malaisia, Kuala Lumpur, but there's no Portugal Embassy/Consulate here, only in Thailand. Can we apply for visa online during the Covid situation?

LorieAnneC wrote:

To be perfectly honest, I did it all myself in Canada. I hired a lawyer for €40 to help with my residence status for my fiscal number. Nothing else.


Thanks for info. Is it real u did it just for 40 euro? If so, it's fantastic. This fee is for what, just for filling out the application papers or also for advises, analyzing your personal situation, Nif, e.t.c. Is it for 1 person or for family? Is it only for D7 application or for temporary residence application either? By the way, I see u're from Faro. Should we use a solicitor or lawyer directly from the spot u wanna live in or u can for ex. get a temporary residence in Lisbon or Porto, and then rent or buy something in Faro or whenever and go their. By the way, could u share your practice please. I can't get an issue with the passive income. Can I open an account in Portugal bank or banks, deposit a lump sum, for ex 100k or 200k and show this as a proof of assets for living there. I mean how about those people who already have enough savings and don't need any monthly income?

JohnnyPT wrote:

Hi Ash, Welcome.

Please read these links:

NIF or bank account required for D7?
https://www.expat.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=911739

Solicitors, Lawyers & Administrative division of Portugal
https://www.expat.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=941009

Best Regards


Should u select a solicitor or lawyer just in place u're gonna rent an apartment at or it doesn't mater and u can for ex. rent something in Faro before application, using a lawyer in Lisbon and after getting a temporary residence in Lisbon go to live in Faro?

Is it true that and agent can apply tax number on behalf of us before travelling to Portugal?

JohnnyPT wrote:

Hi Hazmog, Welcome  :)

At this time of the pandemic, it does not make sense to apply for such services you have mentioned here, which are unnecessarily very expensive and dependent on third services (consulates, embassies, SEF/Serviço de Estrangeiros e Fronteiras) that are currently very limited in working due to the pandemic.

Those services will not speed up the visa process, which is the only advantage they have over doing by yourself the whole process.

If you have urgency about your visa, I suggest you to apply for a less expensive lawyer.

______

A. Visa Requests: Apply for Residence/Renewals and e-Visa Online Platform

This visa application can be made online without third parties involved. Due to the entry restrictions still in force, in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, this system currently only processes national visa applications. But you can register, see the options available, ...

The e-VISA is the platform of the Portuguese Ministry of Foreign Affairs aimed at simplifying visa application procedures.

Visa applicants receive a personal access code that allows them to follow up the process online, broken down into four stages:
1. "registered application" / "pedido registado"
2. "application under examination" / "pedido em análise"
3. "application granted or refused" / "pedido deferido ou indeferido"
4. "visa issued" / "visto emitido"

This e-Visa Portal is available in the following languages: Portuguese, English, French, Ukrainian and Russian.

https://pedidodevistos.mne.pt/VistosOnline/

Due to the pandemic, there are limitations on visa applications on this platform from March 2020.

______

B. Apply for a VISA to Portugal in the UK

https://www.vfsglobal.com/portugal/uk/index.html

Due to the pandemic, there are limitations on visa applications on this platform from March 2020.

______

C. Lawyer

Google tip: search at "Visa lawyer Portugal"

Your legal lawyer must have identified clearly in their "About us" webpages:
"Registo na Ordem dos Advogados" / Portuguese Bar Association registration
and/or
"NIPC" (Número de Identificação de Pessoa Coletiva) / Legal Person ID Number

Choose one with the address in Portugal and get in touch by phone or email.

Best regards


Johnny, I'm really confused. U're talking about an online service for visa applying. Does it mean, that I can apply for D7 visa via this online system instead of dealing with Portugal Consulate? As I mentioned before, I'm living in Malaysia at the moment, but wanna move to Portugal. However, the Consulate is only in Bangkok. Tried to write them, but no response. So, how can I get about their plans, maybe there's some agency in Portugal, which can make a situation clear, to explain how to apply for visas, is it possible at the time being or not and when it will. By the way, tried to ask some of the lawyers and juridical companies, but they act tricky, avoiding provide some honest info about whether it's possible to apply for visas, given the Covid situation. They usually offer an expensive consultation and it's a dead end, 'cause u know it's ridiculous to pay for and hear that it's on pending at the moment or something like this.

If you already have this feedback, why do you ask ? Due to the pandemic, nobody has answers for Asian countries with large Covid outbreaks at the moment... try when the pandemic is more under control. It is not worth to pay agencies or lawyers to get answers they can't provide you...

You won't find answers for those kinds of questions here either.

Regarding visa online take a look at this post:

E-Visa portal
https://www.expat.com/forum/viewtopic.p … 21#5215937
(Post #5)

JohnnyPT wrote:

If you already have this feedback, why do you ask ? Due to the pandemic, nobody has answers for Asian countries with large Covid outbreaks at the moment... try when the pandemic is more under control. It is not worth to pay agencies or lawyers to get answers they can't provide you...

You won't find answers for those kinds of questions here either.

Regarding visa online take a look at this post:

E-Visa portal
https://www.expat.com/forum/viewtopic.p … 21#5215937
(Post #5)


Thanks for link, it was useful. As I get they let come in from any of EU countries, especially if u have an EU vaccination policy, so basically u can go not directly to Portugal, but to some other EU country and after to Portugal. But, it's still unclear for me whether I can apply for the D7 visa or not. 'Cause the appropriate Consulate doesn't respond to my questions, basically it's not surprising, 'cause many  bureaucrats are trying to avoid their obligations now, using the Covid situation.

LorieAnneC wrote:

To be perfectly honest, I did it all myself in Canada. I hired a lawyer for €40 to help with my residence status for my fiscal number. Nothing else.


Can you please send me contact address of this lawyer,

Hi,

Would appreciate a recommendation of a good Portuguese immigration lawyer who can advice on immigration matters.

Thanks,
Sam