Portugal Forum

p01ndexter
Joined 2019
Posts: 2

4 years ago

VISA for Temporary Residence: moving goal posts

4 years ago

My partner and I are in the midst of obtaining a VISA but it seems the government is moving the goal posts for health insurance and income qualifications.

Prior to filing our initial papers:

- We read widely that any insurance meeting minimum EU standards was acceptable. At our consulate appointment we were told Portugal-ONLY insurance is now acceptable, but we read that the only requirement is that the insurance (e.g., travel) binder specifically mention it covers us in Portugal (which ours does). Is this correct?

- We read that only had one had only show adequate (now 1070 Euros/month) income to qualify. At our consulate appointment, in San Francisco (thy seem to have by far the most Special Requiements, as per https://www.expatexchange.com/ctryguide/4216/92/Portugal/United-States-Citizens-Moving-to-Portugal-Demystifying-the-Paper-Trail) we were told that in addition we must (not sure individually or jointly) open a bank account in Portugal and deposit 3000 Euros acceptable. This is even though we showed documented Portuguese resident friends acting as lodging guarantors.

We don't have NIF numbers, something one normally obstains once in-country, in order to satisfy both requirements. There are services (especially lawyers who will help with this) but I've read POAs (Power of Attorney documents) require a NIF :) and physical presence before the service to notarize the documents (a Catch-22).

The SF consulate officer told us to courier our already examined VISA package back to their office, once we could show we had satisfied the two identified deficiencies, so they they forward them for processing.

As an alternative, is it practical for us to enter Portugal as tourists, get the NIF, get new health insurance (if required), open the bank account and transfer the required funds and then courier our passports and applications to San Francisco? Our thought is to have the approved VISAs returned to us while still staying as tourists then leave Portugal (perhaps to Spain or Switzerland) and enter Portugal using the VISAs.

Advice appreciated.

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