What Happens After I get My Visa

Some Background

Well, I am not a fan of community based groups. I mean, sometimes they can help to make you feel better… but, have you ever asked for advice or input? I am certain there are valid reasons for all the variations and all the personal stories, but you just want an answer… and there should be only one correct answer, right? Right?

So, let me just tell you about me and my experience. It helps to have someone who knows… and for me, it was my NSM Lawyers. I am too new to the process to know if I have been lucky… or blessed… but so far, and fingers crossed, I would have to say that you should have people around you who know the process and can answer the questions for you!

I have heard stories - on Facebook groups, in Reddit groups, etc… people waiting 16 months for their residency permits, afraid to travel for fear of leaving Portugal and not being allowed reentry. I’ll write more about this and more once I become more seasoned but here is what I know, and what has been confirmed for me…

I Received My Passport with the Visa attached… Now What?

As I mentioned in a previous post, the visa will allow you to enter Portugal two times. You will need to go the first time (you should have about four months to do this…but why wait? ;) ) in order to activate the visa. This counts as the first entry on the visa. You will then only have one entry remaining.

I believe the confusion starts because there may be some who have received their passport and visa but have not yet received a biometrics appointment with AIMA.

Again, as I has posted previously, I received the visa and on it was a URL for the AIMA appointment. My visa was granted and was good for 4 months. The day before it terminated was the date of my AIMA biometrics appointment.

NOTE: you may receive your residence visa without an AIMA appointment attached… if there are no appointments available with AIMA, your visa sticker will be printed and affixed to your passport without a link containing the appoinment details. Please see this link for additional information

Do I only have one more entry on my visa?

Yes. After entering Portugal on the visa that first time, there is just one more entry allowed. I have no idea what happens or what to do if you have a special case and require additional entries… or even if that is possible or not. While I understand that sometimes situations or circumstances arise… you deal with it… you inquire… I’m sure it happens but I don’t know how it is resolved.

So, just plan accordingly… do not go too early. Give yourself enough time so that you can go and be there for your appointment if you have one. Me? I had one.

But, what happens at my appointment…

…or right after you finish up your appointment? For me, I needed to know because I was in the process of selling my home. I knew that I had to make some trips back to the United States… how does THAT work??

While at your AIMA appointment, you will receive a receipt that indicates you have completed the biometric appointment and that your residency permit is being processed.

You are in Portugal. You can stay there as long as you wish. There is no clock that starts ticking, there are no Schengen rules (90/180) that apply while you are in Portugal - stay as long as you wish.
You can leave Portugal. When you return back to Portugal, one of two situations will exist. If this corresponds to your second permitted entry into the country under your visa, there should be no issues. You present the passport and visa, it gets stamped, and you are back in the country. If you have already used your second entry on your visa (you either left the country before your AIMA appointment and reentered or after your appointment, you already left the country and are now trying to return for the third time…) you may be ‘interviewed’ or asked some questions by the competent authorities, but you are still legally permitted to enter Portugal with the Schengen rules. And again, you are free to stay as long as you wish since your intention is to establish residency there.
The Schengen rules (90/180) only apply to stays in other Schengen countries. You are only allowed to stay in those other countries for a maximum of 90 days… after which, you must spend the next 90 days either in Portugal or in the United States before you can again enter the Schengen countries.
Obviously, it is not recommended that you exceed the 90 day limit in other Schengen countries. But you are able to return back to Portugal and remain there for a period of time exceeding 90 days. You can stay for as long as you like since you live here now.
You will want to keep the AIMA receipt showing that your residency permit is being processed. If you are stopped and are asked questions trying to re-enter Portugal and you have already used your two entries into the country on the visa, this will show that you are legally permitted to enter and stay in the country.

Your actual mileage may vary…

Yes, much of this depends on where you go, who you talk to, and how well received you are… What I am stating here is the way things should proceed. You are legally permitted to come and go to Portugal and your AIMA receipt should be enough to expedite your re-entry. It would be interesting to know or to speak with some people who have exceeded the 90/180 Schengen rule and then tried to re-enter Portugal. I do not see this as being a problem, but….

Resources & References
Contact Information:
Phone: +351 215 847 264
Email: geral@nsmadvogados.pt
Visit: www.nsmadvogados.pt
Address: Av. Fontes Pereira de Melo, 21, 2º 1050 116 Lisboa
Contact Information:
click here to request free 30 minute consult
Email: planb@outboundmigration.com
Visit: outboundmigration.com
USA
Phone: +1 424 404 9399
Address: 8383 Wilshire Blvd. Ste 800 Beverly Hills, CA 90211
Canada
Phone: +1 604 200 3560
Address: 230-1290 Howe St Vancouver, BC V6Z0C2
Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum (AIMA)
Avenida António Augusto de Aguiar, 20
1069-119 Lisboa
geral@aima.gov.pt
+351 217 115 000
Monday to Friday - 8:00 am to 8:00 pm
Diplomatic Portal (English)
VISA
Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Have questions about moving to Portugal? Drop a comment below!