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Unusual Visa situation

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sepharad
  8/8/2017 20:44 EST

Hello all, I am fairly imminently, moving to Portugal, to retire. My return path does not follow the typical type 1 and 2 visa route. I am "returning" to Portugal through Ministry of Justice Decree-Law No 30-A / 2015, Feb. 27.

This is a path for people of Sephardic descent and culture to return after expulsion during the inquisition. Much of what I have had to do is the same as for a type one visa, criminal background check, copy of my passport etc. But I have also had to show my family background, continuing use of language, music, traditions etc. This path leads to actual citizenship and an E.U. passport.

I have been vetted by the Jewish congregation of Porto, my local Rabbi, completed all of my papers, paid all my fees and now wait while the government makes a decision and a ruling. It could take them another year.

Here-in lies my problem. I am ready to retire now and prefer to live in Portugal and to travel in Europe, but am in limbo. Not a citizen yet, but not wanting to apply for a type 1/2 visa, when I may be completing citizenship, within the year.

I am not even sure if I can or would be advised to mix the two routes. I plan on paying for my own medical in the remaining year, so will not be a burden on the social system, but also want to begin establishing myself in the meantime. Get an apartment, a vehicle, Portuguese license, bank account etc.

How can I accomplish this? Ms. Korthouse notes in her article; United States Citizens Moving to Portugal: Demystifying the Paper Trail:

"If you're not currently pursuing citizenship or investing at this level (Golden Visa), you'll start by getting your residence visa from the US. This entitles you to travel to Portugal to obtain your temporary Residence Permit."

Can I move to Portugal somehow, while I AM pursuing citizenship?

craigandmicki
  8/9/2017 03:50 EST

What a beautiful way to come to Portugal! Well, this is Mrs. Korthase and I suggest that you stay away from the onerous Residence Visa and Permit process, to let your Decree Law application work its way though the system, and let yourself come here for 90 days on the basic travel visa (no application required) and, from here, apply to have that extended to another 90 days. That gives you 180 days out of the year that you're waiting to get life here underway. I suggest this based on your feeling certain you'll get the Decree Law admission to Portugal; the fact that it might not take a full year to hear back about it; that you have a place in the US or would go to a non-Schengen country to wait it out. You can travel freely in the Schengen/EU under the travel visa.

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LongRedFlorence
  8/9/2017 23:14 EST

Hi Sepharad, Have you thought of holiday visits in the interim where you try to use the opportunity to know more about your new home but you are just taking a holiday? Just a thought, Rachel.

sepharad
  8/11/2017 15:16 EST

Rachel,

I am still somewhat confused about the practicalities of Eurozone visas. Frankly, I just don't get the Schengen rules. I would be perfectly happy to wander about Europe and into and out of Portugal for the next year, but am having a difficult time really understanding the dos and donts.

Basically, I arrive in Amsterdam and they stamp my dogs and my papers. At that point the clock starts ticking. I have x number of days allowed in the Netherlands. I may also have y number of days in the Eurozone total which may or may not be stoppable by going to a non-eu country for some period. This either resets the total or pauses it.

I have never had to worry about length of stay in the distant past, but our world has changed. I keep reading Schengen articles, but come away feeling like I am reading complex rules for a board game.

Thank you all for your patience.

PowerRanger1
  8/11/2017 19:39 EST

Not sure what you are referring to. The Schengen rules have been in place for years. If you spend three months in the Schengen area during any six-month period, you must wait another three months, from the last date of departure from the Schengen area, before you can apply to enter the Schengen area again without a visa. If you do not meet these conditions, or if you plan to stay in the Schengen area longer than three months, contact the embassy of the country where you plan to spend the majority of your time to apply for a visa.
The 90 days do not have to be consecutive so think of it as having two time limits to worry about: one is the 90 days limit, the other is the 180 day limit that starts when you first present yourself at the Schengen area border. You may come and go from the Schengen area as you please in that 180 day time frame, as long as you don't go over the 90 days total. If you reach your limit within that 180 days you will have to wait until that same 180 day period started upon your arrival has passed to gain entry for another 90 days, within a new six month time period. These rules could change given the current upheaval in Europe and elsewhere.

sepharad
  8/11/2017 21:32 EST

Power Ranger 1, your name says it all!

Long, long before there were any Power Ranger's, dinosaurs, like myself, wandered the European continent. We traveled on $10 a day and nobody cared how long we stayed because we were American, British, Canadian and Australian.

I wandered for 1 1/2 years with my dog and had two stamps, Amsterdam and Athens, at the end of my travels. No one else on 3 continents ever even asked to see my passport.

It is a different world for us old folks.

Thank you for your very simplified explanation. It really did help.

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LongRedFlorence
  8/12/2017 22:33 EST

So Sepharad, are you now OK with the replies to your original query? I still am not clear about all this. I totally respect other posters' feedback, so would like to know more if possible. Thanks, Rachel.

sepharad
  8/13/2017 11:46 EST

Yes, cored down, it seems simple, but I am following up with some articles. Basically I will need to seek an extension and leave EU periodically over the next year, until my turn in line with the government comes up. Seems easier for EU occupants, and less convenient for travelers and visitors, but I suppose that was the very goal.

Which are the favorite places to spend non- Schengen time? Turkey, morocco, Yugoslavia?

LovetheBeach
  8/13/2017 13:23 EST

sepharad, please excuse me for butting into your conversation, but I just wanted to say that I have an acquaintance who spent 3 months in Croatia last year and loved it there! He is a location independent entrepreneur, and says he may end up spending at least 3 months a year there. In the summer, there are lots of Europeans that vacation there, and many English speakers as well. Not so many during the winter months. Since it's just a hop, skip, and a jump across the Adriatic from Italy, he told me there is a strong Italian influence in the food, culture, etc. It's on my bucket list for sure! My friend also told me he spent some time in Slovenia. and if you like mountains and clean lakes it's quite beautiful as well. Hope this was helpful!

sepharad
  8/13/2017 14:48 EST

I also am just starting to grasp CNAI. I couldn't understand how I was supposed to get an extension, until today, when I finally learned that CNAI is a uniquely Portuguese thing emanating from their colonial period. If you read general Schengen policies, nothing like CNAI is mentioned.

I am also learning that several other Schengen countries have other unique programs, such as Poland/US and Australia/Denmark. Though a Schengen country, an American can stay 90 days in Poland, leave for 1 day and then return for another 90.

There are all sorts of weird loopholes in the "basic" Schengen structure.

LongRedFlorence
  8/13/2017 19:53 EST

Hi Sepharad, We both would need to check with more knowlegeable people as we have loads of such people on this forum! I have personal contacts who may be able to help but they take longer, and a very few of them may (I really do not know) charge a small fee. I just hope the people on this forum come forward and help you out. Apologies I could not help directly. Cheers, Rachel

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LongRedFlorence
  8/13/2017 20:04 EST

Hello Sepharad, I truly have no idea which of those 3 countries you mentioned would be best for your situation. I am waiting for the rest of the Forum to enlighten both of us. Personally, I would not touch any of those 3 countries you mentioned with a barge pole, because UK news reports, on my humble analysis, suggest problems with investment and residence for non-locals. Thanks, Rachel.

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