Who is eligible to apply for a Portugal Family Reunification Visa?

Portugal Family Reunification Visa requirements

The host and the relative moving to Portugal need to submit some supporting documents to the officials. They could vary by nationality and case, but a common list is as follows:

Photo

Two photos of the applicant are required to be taken in the past three months. The background must be white clear. If your face goes through a major change, you need to take a new photo:

• Lose or gain weight significantly
• Having surgery

Proof of family relationship

The documents indicating the relationship between the host and the relative living abroad must be presented.

ID documents

The original copies of the personal identification documents of the applicant and his/her family members are necessary.

Clean record certificate

The guest can not have a criminal background and needs to prove it through a clean record certificate for the police or judiciary officials in his/her country. The certificate is not required for children under 16 years of age.

Adoption documents

If the guest is a child and was adopted by the family.

Passport

The guest’s passport must be valid for over six months and not be older than ten years ago.

Family relationship proof

The documents proving that the guest and host have family ties must be provided.

Enough funds

The foreign applicant needs to have enough funds to cover the expenses of the application process and moving to Portugal.

Proof of residency

If the country the family member is living in is not his/her home country, proof of legal residence must be provided.

Birth certificate

If the applicant is the child of the host.

Consent letter

If one of the parents is not coming, a permission letter or consent letter of the other parent is required.

Enrollment certificate

In case the applicant is a minor child of the person living in Portugal, proof of enrollment in a Portuguese school or education center must be provided.

Host required supporting documents

Proof of residency, such as:

• Residence Permit
• EU Blue Card,
• the long-term resident status

Proof of accommodation

The host needs to provide exact details of his/her address and that the place has enough room for the relative.

Proof of enough funds

The host must prove to have enough income and funds to cover the expenses of the relative bringing to the country.

Application form

It must be filled with the required information from the host and the guest and submitted to the officials.

Certificate of registered partnership (If applicable)

Note: The Portuguese officials require further supporting documents, and you have to provide them. It’s up to your case, nationality, and authorities’ decision.

Now you have the tools to immigrate to Portugal as a Teacher by reading our comprehensive guide.

Portugal Family Reunification Visa application process

The application process for Portugal Family Reunification Visa has two stages; first, the sponsor living in Portugal needs to complete part of the application; second, the person who wants to move to Portugal has to complete the rest of the process with the Portuguese embassy or consulate.

Application with the SEF

The sponsor living in Portugal needs to apply to SEF (Immigration and Borders Service). He/she needs to provide a list of supporting documents to the SEF. The authorities will work on the case for about two months and decide whether the guest is allowed to enter Portugal or not. They will inform the Portuguese embassy or consulate in your home country that the application is verified. Now the guest can continue the application from his/her home country with the embassy or consulate.

Application to the embassy

The rest of the application process is completed by the applicant from his/her home country. He/she should complete the following stages:

Gathering the requirements

The applicant needs to collect some supporting documents and submit them to the authorities. You can find some of them in the above section. They mentioned supporting documents are not complete, and the embassy could ask for further documents.

Be fussy when gathering the requirements as the officials are strict.

Visa appointment with the embassy

Now you should schedule a visa meeting with the Portuguese officials in your home country. Depending on the country you live in, you might have to apply to the embassy, consulate, or a visa center authorized by the officials.

You submit all the requirements to them and pay the visa processing fees.

Processing the visa processes by the embassy

At this stage, you should wait until the embassy works on your visa. They could require further documents as well. When the officials decide on your case, they will inform you and stick the visa on your passport.

Apply for a residence permit

When you get to Portugal, you need to visit the SEF to receive a residence permit. Remember that Portugal Family Reunification Visa is to enter the country while the residence permit is permission to stay in the country. You need to visit the SEF and ask about the requirements, prepare them and provide them to the SEF.

Portugal Family Reunification Visa processing time

There are two processing times for Portugal Family Reunification Visa. First, the SEF will review the application and decide whether to grant entry permission or not. If approved, the applicant can continue the application process from his/her home country. So you can expect two months for the process. Remember that It could take a bit longer, but the SEF will inform you.

How long is the Portugal Family Reunification Visa valid for?

The first validity of the Portugal Family Reunification Visa is the same as the sponsor residence permit, often for two years. You have permission to renew it every three years.

The point to remember is that Portugal Family Reunification Visa is only valid for four months when you get to the country. You have this period to apply for a residence permit to the SEF, which is valid for two years, as explained.

Do you have permission to extend Portugal Family Reunification Visa?

Portugal Family Reunification Visa will cost you about €90. However, the embassy could cost you more for further services. Also, the fee for a national visa is €75.

Can you extend Portugal Family Reunification Visa?

The initial validity of the Portugal Family Reunification Visa is two years. You have the authorization to extend it every three years. However, you need to complete the procedure on time and not let the residency date expire.

Permanent Residency with Portugal Family Reunification Visa

Portugal Family Reunification Visa can lead to Permanent Residency after living in the country for five years. But it’s not the only requirement. You need a clean criminal record in the country and provide no prior criminal convictions during your residency. If you break any national law, things will get a bit complicated. Also, you need to prove a level of Portuguese language fluency. The Residence Permit validity is unlimited, but you need to renew it every five years.

Citizenship with Portugal Family Reunification Visa

One of the features of Portugal Family Reunification Visa is that It can lead to citizenship. But you need to be qualified for citizenship. The first and foremost requirement is to live six years in the country. In the meantime, you mustn’t have broken any law and abide by rules and regulations. Language proficiency certificate, to some extent, is the next one.

Can your relative work in Portugal?

Portugal Family Reunification Visa applicants have the permission to work and study in the country; however, the local branch of the Portuguese Immigration and Borders Service (SEF) must know. The applicant has to inform the officials before starting to work or registering in a university or education center.

In case you receive social support from the government, it will be revoked when you start working for a Portuguese employer.

Let’s sum up…

Non-EU citizens residing in Portugal can bring their family members to the country through Portugal Family Reunification Visa.

The article explained who is qualified to apply, the requirements, the application process, and FAQs.

You can learn about other types of Portugal visas through the left sidebar.

The visa information about other countries is provided on the top menu.

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