Help with Portuguese Visas

Portugal is a dream destination for many people around the globe. While previously Portugal has been a popular tourist destination, today people from all over the world are increasingly getting interested in moving to Portugal permanently. 

Migrating to Portugal especially as a non-EU citizen will require you to get a residence permit to live and operate legally in the country. Let’s face it, the Visa application process is often easier said than done especially if it is your first time. 

Getting assistance with the application process is an option that you could explore. However, is it really necessary? What are the benefits of seeking professional assistance? If you are having a hard time answering these questions, then this post is for you. 

We will bring to the fore, the advantages and disadvantages of Portugal visa assistance services. We are going to dig deep into the important details that will help you make an informed decision. Read on!

Are Portugal visa assistance services necessary?

Right from the jump, you should know that getting professional visa application assistance is not necessary. In fact, if you are well versed with the Portuguese public service system, the application process will be effortless. 

What’s more, all the information you need is available online. However, it is worth mentioning that the Portuguese public services system is not your typical system, there are a lot of bureaucracies and bottlenecks that make the permanent visa application process quite complicated. 

It is for this reason that many people choose to get the services of professionals who have experience with the process.

Who needs to get a visa to live in Portugal?

A residence visa is necessary for non-EU individuals who are considering moving and staying in Portugal for more than three months. 

For you to stay in stay and work in Portugal legally, you will need a residency permit and a residency visa is a gateway to the application for a residency permit. 

Types of visas to live in Portugal

People choose to immigrate to Portugal for many reasons, therefore, there are several visas that give expats entry to Portugal. Let’s have a look at some of the popular types of visas!

D1 Visa: Better referred to as the working visa is exclusive for those who have secured employment in Portugal. By far it is among the most complicated types of visa to apply for.

D2 Visa: This is a business or entrepreneurial visa given to individuals who are planning to start a business in Portugal. It was developed purposely as an incentive for entrepreneurs to consider starting businesses in the country. 

D7 Visa: Also referred to as the passive income visa, it is exclusive for people who have passive incomes like pensions and financial investment away from Portugal. It is ideal for retirees who wish to spend the rest of their lives in Portugal.

D4 Visa: This is the study visa that grants the applicant the right to study at an institution of higher learning for a given period of time. However, it is important to state that before applying for the Visa, you must have secured admission to a school beforehand.

The Golden Visa: This type of visa was developed to incentivize major foreign investors to invest in Portugal. It comes with more benefits than any of the above visas. 

The application process for each type of visa is different because of the different requirements for the application. 

What’s more, a lot of the official documentation is available in Portuguese and you will need someone to help you with translation. 

For anyone going through the process for the first time, you are likely to make errors along the way that might lengthen the application process and cost you more money.

The cons of hiring Portugal visa assistance

Getting the assistance visa application assistance from a professional is all good but it comes with its fair share of disadvantages as well. 

It’s extra money you have to spend

Think about it, the services of a professional in any given field don’t come cheap, the same is also true of visa application assistance. 

It is also necessary to inform you that the immigration process involves the intervention of professionals from different fields, for instance, law, and finance. 

Services from highly skilled individuals who have spent years honing their skills don’t come cheap. Depending on the visa assistance company, you might have to dig deep into your pockets.

You won’t probably fully understand the relocation process

While hiring visa assistance professionals to handle all the legal processes on your behalf makes the process hassle-free, it limits your interaction with the Portuguese system. 

If your intention is to stay in Portugal for several years, then the sooner you get to understand the bureaucracies, the easier your stay will be. 

Relying on other people to handle the paperwork on your behalf will deny you the opportunity of getting first-hand experience right from the beginning. 

Living in Portugal means interacting with the public service system frequently and you can not always rely on other people to handle your paperwork forever. 

Professional help may get in the way of the relocation journey

Let’s face it, migrating to a new country is equally as terrifying as it is exciting. This balance is what makes this experience special. Heck, for many people it is a life-changing experience. Nonetheless, getting professionals like accountants and lawyers involved in the process takes away the physical and emotional investment that makes the whole process special.

Furthermore, going through the process individually builds upon the excitement and when the application is complete and successful, you get a sense of accomplishment as well. 

There is plenty of information online on how to get a visa

In the age of the internet, you can learn about anything if you take enough time to do your due diligence. 

There is plenty of information online and on the official government website about the application process. 

Depending on your level of confidence and determination, you can as well give it a shot on your own instead of paying someone else to do it for you. 

However, the big question is often whether it is worth applying for a high-stakes visa like the Portuguese residency visa on your own. 

The pros of hiring Portugal visa assistance

Now that you know about the disadvantages of seeking visa assistance services, let’s also discuss the benefits. Contrasting the advantages with the disadvantages will put you in a better place of making informed decisions depending on your personal needs and preference.

There’s a higher chance of success in obtaining your visa

The residence visa application is quite tasking and can be overwhelming to anyone new to the system. 

While you can save money handling the application and all the necessary legal processes on your own, a professional is likely to increase the chances of a successful application. 

Also, you should be aware that the visa application comes with an application fee that is not refundable. 

All your efforts of making a successful application could easily go down the drain by making a simple mistake like forgetting to attach an important document necessary for the application. 

You get to spend your time not worrying about legal details

Again, professional visa application services include professionals from different fields of specialization. Letting them worry about the legal processes of the application will free your mind to deal with other immigration issues that are equally important. 

With the application burden off your shoulders, you can take your time and worry about how your belongings will get to Portugal. You will also have enough time to look for a new home in Portugal or plan other important things for your trip. 

It is virtually impossible to handle everything at the same time, having to deal with the bureaucracy of the application is enough task for one person. 

The Portugal visa application is far better when you’re not alone

Making a successful application is easier said than done. While it is possible to make a successful application on your own, it is worth mentioning that there is too much learning to do. 

Think about it this way, you have to understand the different Portuguese law jargon for all the applications you want to make, for example, opening a bank account or getting a tax number. While getting the skill is good, you will take more time than you anticipated on researching and learn.  

Sadly, having all this information still does not guarantee you a successful application. Besides, having the support of a professional not only helps with the technical part of the application process but also the psychological support that is of equal significance.

Networking in a new country becomes easier

Professional visa assistance service providers like Viv Europe offer an all-in-one service which is way more than you bargained for. 

You stand to benefit from our company’s established network in the different regions in Portugal. 

It doesn’t stop there, such trusted connections will help you with business and interpersonal connections from the huge online community that Viv Europe has brought together. 

Social networking is very important and will help you adapt to the new environment more quickly.

Is it worth hiring Portugal visa assistance?

While the government is making it desirable to move to Portugal, the application process is not as straightforward as you might think. 

If it is your first time dealing with a bureaucratic process, we do recommend hiring professionals to help you with the visa application. 

You will get the time to pursue other important things than the same old boring legal lingo. After all is said and done, the question still remains, is it worth hiring Porgual visa assistance? 

Well, the only right answer to this question is that it is all a matter of personal choice. What works for you might not work for the next person.

Why get Portugal visa assistance with Viv Europe

Viv Europe is your one-stop-shop professional visa application assistance service. Our professionals are well versed with everything to do with immigration, for instance, visa application and property acquisition among many other activities that are necessary for your relocation process. 

Our able team has been around the block for some time now and we have the experience that only comes with time. Trust us to make your dream of relocating to Portugal a reality.

There you have it, folks, we believe that this post has shed some light on the issue of visa application assistance in Portugal. It is our hope that this information will help you make an informed decision moving forward

Article by Viv Europe - Legal and Relocation Partner to KipperTree

Read the full article here