How it works

We prepare and manage your D7 or D8 application from the UAE, and stay with you in Portugal until your residence card is issued. Here is what happens, in order, with realistic timings.

These are typical 2026 timings, not promises. The authorities set their own pace.

Use the calculator, or message us on WhatsApp. On a free 15-minute call we look at your income, savings, family and timing. We tell you plainly whether the D7 or the D8 fits, or whether neither does yet. If you want a detailed written plan before you commit, our Route Check covers it.

You get a checklist built for your route and your nationality. It shows what you need, who issues it, which documents need attestation or an apostille, and the order to get them in. Police certificates usually take longest, so they come first.

The UAE is not part of the Apostille system. UAE documents, such as your UAE police certificate, are attested by the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) and then legalised by the Portuguese embassy in Abu Dhabi. We guide you through each appointment and check every stamp before your application goes in.

While your documents are in progress, we coordinate your NIF (Portuguese tax number), Portuguese bank account and fiscal representation through our provider in Portugal. This is usually done remotely. For the D7, you then move 12 months of the threshold into your Portuguese account.

You'll also need accommodation in Portugal, usually a 12-month lease, and travel medical insurance.

We prepare your full application pack: the visa form, a cover letter that sets out your income or means, and every supporting document, checked for consistency. Names, dates and figures must match across every page. Small mismatches are a common reason for delays.

Applications from the UAE go through VFS Global in Dubai or Abu Dhabi. Any legal UAE resident can apply, whatever their nationality. We arrange your appointment and brief you beforehand, so you know exactly what to bring and what to expect.

The Portuguese embassy in Abu Dhabi decides your application. It may ask for more documents or invite you to an interview. We help you respond quickly and completely. Plan on about 2–3 months from your VFS appointment to the decision.

The visa is valid for 4 months. In that time you travel to Portugal and attend your appointment with AIMA, the Portuguese agency for residence permits. We prepare your document pack, brief you for the appointment and help with any follow-up requests.

We follow up until your residence card is issued. Allow about 6–14 months or more from the start.

After that:

• Renewals: the first permit lasts 2 years, then renews for 3 years at a time. Renewals are not automatic, so plan for them.
• Permanent residence: possible after 5 years, subject to conditions including basic Portuguese (A2).
• Citizenship: since 19 May 2026, most non-EU nationals need 10 years of legal residence.

• WhatsApp for questions and updates, in English or Arabic. A real person replies, usually on the same working day.
• A secure upload link for documents. We never ask for your passport or bank statements on WhatsApp or by email.
• Fixed professional fees in AED, paid in stages linked to milestones. Government and third-party fees are passed through at cost.

• We don't give legal advice, and we don't represent you before any authority.
• We are not affiliated with any government, embassy, AIMA or VFS Global. Decisions are made solely by the Portuguese authorities.
• We can't speed up the authorities or buy appointments.
• We never submit documents or information that we know to be false or misleading.