Frequently asked questions

Yes. Any legal UAE resident can apply, whatever their nationality. Your UAE residence must be valid beyond the end of the visa you're requesting. Applications go through VFS Global in Dubai or Abu Dhabi and are decided by the Portuguese embassy in Abu Dhabi.

The D7 is for people who live on regular passive income, such as a pension, rent, dividends or interest. The D8 is for people who earn from remote work for employers or clients outside Portugal. Both lead to a residence permit. The D8 also has a 1-year temporary-stay version, which doesn't count toward residence.

• D7: €920/month (≈ AED 3,810) for one person, plus 50% for each additional adult and 30% for each child.
• D8: €3,680/month (≈ AED 15,240), averaged over the last 3 months. Families should aim for 50% more per adult and 30% more per child of the D8 amount, because some consulates expect it.

The figures are linked to the Portuguese minimum wage and usually change each January.

Not usually on their own. The D7 tests regular income. You also need savings of 12 months of the threshold in a Portuguese bank (€11,040, ≈ AED 45,710, for one person in 2026), but savings support your income rather than replace it.

Yes, if your employer agrees in writing that you can work remotely from Portugal and your income meets the threshold. If you own a company, including a UAE free-zone company, you can apply as a founder with proof of the income you draw from it. You can't work for a Portuguese employer on a D8.

Yes. The D7 and D8 are residence routes, and long absences can put your permit at risk. If you want to keep living in the UAE full time, these visas aren't the right fit.

About 4–7 months from your first chat with us to the visa, and about 6–14 months or more to the residence card, depending on AIMA in Portugal. We give you a realistic timeline for your own case.

The UAE is not part of the Apostille system. UAE documents, such as your UAE police certificate, must be attested by the UAE MOFA and then legalised by the Portuguese embassy in Abu Dhabi. Documents from your home country follow that country's rules: an apostille or consular legalisation.

Usually not. Your NIF, Portuguese bank account and fiscal representation can be arranged remotely. You will need accommodation in Portugal before you apply: some people sign a lease remotely, others prefer to visit first. The application itself is made in the UAE, at VFS.

Not for the visa. Basic Portuguese (A2) is required for permanent residence and for citizenship, so it's worth starting early.

Yes. Your spouse, your children and dependent adults such as a parent can apply with you. Each person raises the income and savings you need to show.

Together, in most cases. Since October 2025, bringing family over later can mean a waiting period of up to 2 years.

Since 19 May 2026, most non-EU nationals need 10 years of legal residence before they can apply. Permanent residence can be requested after 5 years, subject to conditions including basic Portuguese. Anyone still promising citizenship in 5 years is quoting rules that no longer apply.

Probably, once you become tax resident there. Portugal taxes its residents on their worldwide income, and the old NHR regime is closed to new applicants. We don't give tax advice. A tax adviser should confirm your position before you move.

No, and no one honestly can. Decisions are made solely by the Portuguese authorities. What we do is make your application complete, consistent and on time, so nothing avoidable stands in your way.

No. VisaHelm is an independent private company. We are not affiliated with any government, embassy, AIMA or VFS Global. You can also apply directly through the official channels.

No. We prepare and manage your application, and we coordinate your NIF, bank account and fiscal representation through our provider in Portugal. We don't give legal or tax advice, and we don't represent you before any authority.

Our introductory prices are: Route Check AED 990 (credited in full to a package signed within 30 days), Visa Ready AED 7,500, Visa to Residence Card AED 15,500 and Family Move from AED 29,000. Government fees are extra and passed through at cost: in 2026, the visa fee is €110 per person and the first AIMA residence permit about €186 per person.

Through a secure upload link that we send you. We never ask for your passport, Emirates ID or bank statements on WhatsApp or by email.

It can happen, even with a complete file, because the decision is at the authorities' discretion. The visa fee is not refunded by the authorities. We go through the reasons with you and, where a new application makes sense, help you prepare it. Our Terms of service set out exactly what is refunded and when.