Expat Exchange
Free MembershipSign In

Portugal Expat Forum

Extending 90 Day "Visa Waiver stay by only having future SEF apptmt???

New Topic Newest First
Love2Travel
  10/7/2017 18:00 EST

Our daughter is in Lisbon. She is a US citizen w/ a US passport. She wanted to extend her stay in Portugal. Her 90 day "visa waiver" stay expires on Oct 10th, but she has a letter from SEF, Office of Documentation, Communication & Public Relations, confirming she has an appointment with them on Mar. 2, 2018 at their LC Odivelas service station, to APPLY to extend her stay. She obtained this letter on Sept 29th and she was assigned an ID number. The owner of the hostel where she is staying in Lisbon has said this letter allows her to legally stay in Portugal (ONLY) beyond Oct 10th, because she has this apptmt scheduled w/ SEF. I read another article that seems to validate this extended stay "work-around" option, as long as when she leaves Portugal, she leaves directly to another non-Schengen country. I am concerned this advice is not accurate and that she still needs to leave by Oct 10th. Can anyone give us the TRUE answer on this? We don't want her to have any issues when she arrives into a non-Schengen country or back into the US. THANKS for your HASTY reply!
.

craigandmicki
  10/8/2017 05:41 EST

Love2Travel's post about daughter: Your daughter will be deported within 5 days of her SEF appointment in March, as has happened to a number of people here, and this is why: The SEF appointment effectively extends the validity of an actual Type 1, 2 or 3 Visa, which your daughter does not have--she's simply here on the regular 'tourist visa' to which all visitors have access. Each day between now and the March appointment is counting toward a tourist visa extension, so by the time she meets with SEF she will have used up 4 months or 120 days, and no extension exists for this duration. If she wants to remain in Portugal, she must file for a temporary residence permit as a student, a person of independent means, a family member or as an employee. I don't know if her desire to stay is worthy of hiring an attorney rather than having her come back to the US to do the proper job of applying to live here; if you need an attorney recommendation let us know.

Portugal Residency AdvisorsPortugal Residency Advisors
Connect

Portugal Residency Advisors is a full-service consulting firm dedicated to providing personalized services to individuals and families seeking to relocate to Portugal. With a team of experienced professionals and strategic partnerships, we are well-positioned to assist clients with all aspects of the relocation process.

Click connect to have our partner contact you via e-mail and/or phone.

Portugal Residency AdvisorsPortugal Residency Advisors

Portugal Residency Advisors is a full-service consulting firm dedicated to providing personalized services to individuals and families seeking to relocate to Portugal. With a team of experienced professionals and strategic partnerships, we are well-positioned to assist clients with all aspects of the relocation process.
Connect

Click connect to have our partner contact you via e-mail and/or phone.

Love2Travel
  10/8/2017 09:38 EST

to craigandmicki: Thank you so much for your quick response! Based on her local friends' advice that the SEF appointment letter automatically extends her stay, she was hoping to stay in Portugal until early November before leaving for non-Schengen country, or coming back to US. Is that even possible (with the SEF letter she has in hand)? Your prior response indicates that even a slight overstay is not appropriate on her current 90 day visa-waiver......
Perhaps she should keep her SEF appointment for March, and come back into Portugal closer to that appointment date, to apply for a student/working Visa at that time?
If she chooses to go to Croatia (or US!) for 90 days, and then go back to Portugal, that would be legit, correct? Can't tell you how much I appreciate your answers!

craigandmicki
  10/8/2017 14:34 EST

I sent two detailed private messages to you but I'm not certain they were delivered before the system had a glitch...can you tell me if you got my message explaining that she can't leave for 90 days and then come back to Portugal....and the second one about how she actually can't leave without being fined?

Love2Travel
  10/8/2017 16:23 EST

Hi! Yes, I did get your 2 private messages and have emailed you back with another private message - hopefully you will receive it!

Portugal Residency Advisors
Portugal Residency Advisors

Let Portugal Residency Advisors help you with your move.
Learn More

Portugal Residency AdvisorsPortugal Residency Advisors

Let Portugal Residency Advisors help you with your move.
Learn More

Living in Portugal GuideLiving in Portugal Guide

Our Living in Portugal Guide is a primer on everything about living in Portugal: best places to live, cost of living, pros and cons, healthcare and insurance, obtaining a driver's license, how to bring your pet with you and more.

Portugal Forum Portugal Forum
Join our Portugal forum to meet other expats and talk about living in Portugal.

Contribute to Portugal Network Contribute
Help other expats and newcomers by answering questions about the challenges and adventures of living in Portugal.

Best Places to Live in Portugal Best Places to Live in Portugal

If you're thinking about living in Portugal, here are the 15 Best Places to Live in Portugal in 2023.

Healthcare in PortugalHealthcare in Portugal

Expats in Portugal with a residency visa can participate in the national health care system. Here's what you need to know about the SNS and the combination of public and private services you'll need to manage your health in Portugal.

Cost of Living in PortugalCost of Living in Portugal

Expats offer insight into the cost of living in Portugal.

Moving to PortugalMoving to Portugal Guide

Expats moving to Portugal are drawn by a variety of places to live, a rich history and so much more. Here are some tips on what it means to move there, and how to make it happen.

Real Estate in PortugalReal Estate in Portugal

Real estate listings in popular cities and towns in Portugal.

Pros Cons of Living in PortugalPros & Cons of Living in Portugal

Take off your rose-colored glasses and learn what expats have to say about the biggest challenges and the greatest rewards of living in Portugal.

Retiring in PortugalRetiring in Portugal

Advice for people retiring in Portugal.

Visa and Residency PortugalPortugal Visa & Residency Guide

Thanks to Susan Stults Korthase for this helpful overview of current requirements to begin the process of obtaining a Residency Visa when moving from the US to Portugal.

10 Tips for Living in Portugal10 Tips for Living in Portugal

If you've recently arrived in Portugal, here are 10 tips for digital nomads living in Portugal.

Portugal Residency Advisors
Portugal Residency Advisors

Let Portugal Residency Advisors help you with your move.
Learn More

Portugal Residency AdvisorsPortugal Residency Advisors

Let Portugal Residency Advisors help you with your move.
Learn More

Contribute to Portugal Network Contribute
Help others in Portugal by answering questions about the challenges and adventures of living in Portugal.

Portugal Residency Advisors
Portugal Residency Advisors

Copyright 1997-2024 Burlingame Interactive, Inc.

Privacy Policy Legal