Portugal D7 Visa From Saudi Arabia

Attractive Co-Working Spaces

Portugal is a sought-after destination for remote workers due to some significant reasons, such as the welcoming culture, cuisines, good climate, etc. Several co-working centres established in big cities such as Porto and Lisbon may meet your specific need for a focused work atmosphere or just a comfortable space to work.

Tax Benefits

As a Saudi Arabian national holding a D7 visa and who has not paid taxes in Portugal like other Portuguese tax residents in the past 5 years, you will receive a 10-year tax preferential treatment under the NHR.

You can request NHR status after registering as a tax resident of Portugal. You may occasionally be excluded from paying taxes on wages, capital gains, and other income you earn from working for your overseas employer.

If you have NHR status, you are also eligible for a 20% flat tax rate (instead of 48%) on the majority of your income that comes from Portugal if it comes from one of the permitted professions. NHR is advantageous for Saudi Arabian citizens moving to Portugal to eventually become citizens of the EU.

Naturalisation and Citizenship

The Portugal D7 visa is a deal for Saudi Arabian remote workers who wish to remain in Portugal for the foreseeable future. It also offers Saudi Arabian citizens the opportunity to obtain Portuguese citizenship or permanent residency status. To do this, you must stay in Portugal for a minimum of 5 years and fulfil all other requirements.

When you obtain Portuguese citizenship, you will be issued an EU passport and be entitled to several social benefits due to Portuguese indigenes. Some of these benefits include the right to free healthcare services, the right to vote and be voted for, free movement within the Schengen zone, etc.

Health System and Resident Rights

As a Portugal D7 visa holder, you will be granted access to the Portuguese national health system which provides affordable and high-quality healthcare for both citizens and residents of Portugal. Besides that, you will have social security, the right to education, and other rights for residents of the country.

Portugal D7 Visa Application Form

When requesting a D7 visa, you must simultaneously fill out an application for a Portugal National visa. You can complete this at the Portuguese embassy in Riyadh. Printing the application form and including it with your supporting documents is required if you are filling out the form online.

Additionally, you must confirm that the information on the form matches what is on your passport. One of the main reasons for visa denial is inconsistencies in the information provided. Note that either Portuguese or English must be used to fill out the application.

Your Valid Passport

To apply for a Portugal D7 visa, you must ensure that your passport is still current for at least 6 months after your visa has expired.

Only a copy of your passport that has been notarised must be sent to the Portuguese embassy at the very start of your visa application process. The original of your passport should only be provided if your visa application is granted so that a sticker can be placed on it.

Proof of Accommodation

You must prove to the Portuguese authorities that you have where to stay when you enter Portugal. To do this, you must show that you already have a rental agreement in Portugal or a hotel reservation.

You may also provide proof that you bought a property in Portugal or bring a letter of invitation from your family member or friend who resides in Portugal.

Cover Letter

You must include a cover letter in your application and sign it. Your cover letter must explain why you wish to enter Portugal on a D7 visa, your ties to the country, and how you wish to fend for yourself in the country.

It must also explain the places you would like to visit when you enter Portugal and state the location of your residence. Generally, your cover letter must tell all your travel plans to the Portuguese authorities to grant you entry into Portugal.

Proof of Income

You must prove that you have sufficient funds to cover your stay in Portugal. This helps to convince the Portuguese authorities that you will not become a financial burden to the government when you enter Portugal.

Show proof of income by presenting your:

• Employment letter and earnings of about €3,040 monthly.
• Credit card showing your credit limit.
• Certificate of investment.
• Traveller’s check.
• 3 months’ bank statements, showing earnings of at least €3,040 per month.
• Bank statements showing your earnings from rents, assets, or intellectual property.
• Pension certificate issued by your service provider.
• Savings to show that you have about €9,120 for yourself. Also an extra €2,736 for each dependent child (if you have any), and about an additional €4,560 for your spouse (if you have any).
• Previous fiscal year’s tax returns.
• Letter of financial assistance from a Portuguese citizen, permanent resident, or an EU national.
• Letter from Social Security showing your yearly or monthly incentives.

Criminal Record Certificate

This certificate is also called the Police Clearance Certificate (PCC) issued by the Saudi Arabia Police. It must enumerate all the crimes you have committed, otherwise, it will state that you do not have any criminal charges against you.

The Portuguese authorities are very strict on the criminal record certificate requirement to ensure that you will not become a threat to public safety and order in Portugal when you enter the country. Include all the needed personal details and other requirements to obtain your PCC.

Money Order

You must attach a money order payable to the Portuguese embassy that will receive your application in Riyadh if you plan to mail your request for a Portugal D7 visa. You must use this money order to complete your application.

Other Required Documents

Besides the above-mentioned documents, you must provide the following documents:

• Your 2 passport-size photographs that conform to the requirements of Portugal visa application photos.
• Proof that you have a health insurance policy worth a minimum of €30,000 to cover any unplanned medical expenses during your stay in Portugal.
• Your receipt of the paid Portugal D7 visa fee.
• Proof of lawful stay in Portugal, such as a residence permit (if you are already in Portugal) or a visa (if you are in any other country apart from Portugal).
• Your marriage certificate, if you want to enter Portugal with your spouse or partner.
• Your children’s birth certificates, if they are entering Portugal with you.
• Your NIF number. You will need the NIF number to open a Portuguese bank account.
• Evidence that you have a bank account or proof that you are sure your bank has a branch in Portugal.

Complete the Application Form

Saudi Arabian citizens are required to fill out their D7 visa application form with the correct information needed. Ensure that your details, such as name, email address, phone number, mailing address, etc., are entered correctly. You can access the D7 visa application form on the Portuguese Ministry of Foreign Affairs official website.

Arrange an Appointment

After completing your D7 visa application on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs official website, you must organise an appointment with the Portuguese embassy in Riyadh. You will be required to submit your supporting documents including your biometric information in person.

You may also be interviewed at the appointment so that the immigration officers can verify if your answers align with the documents you have submitted. The interview stage is one of the most important stages of your overall Portugal D7 visa application process.

Therefore you must seek expert guidance from an immigration adviser at Total Law. Our immigration advisers are experienced and already know what it takes to help applicants progress from the interview stage.

We will help you gather all the necessary documents and prepare you for the interview by giving you tips and best practices to ensure you have a successful interview. Call us today on +44 (0)333 305 9375 or message us online for immediate assistance.

Pay for the D7 Visa

Pay your visa application fees after your appointment. You are required to pay through the accepted payment method. The payment could be made through a credit card, money order, debit card, etc.

Travel to Portugal 

If your application is successful, the Portuguese embassy in Riyadh will organise an appointment for you and the Portuguese Immigration and Borders Service (SEF) in Portugal. When you enter Portugal, you will meet the Portuguese authorities at the SEF and show them your application documents. You will be required to pay €320 to process your residence permit.

Obtain Your Residency Card

After paying the SEF to process your residence permit, the SEF will forward your residency card to you by postal mail after they have completed all the processes involved.

Applying for a Portugal D7 Visa

First, you need to obtain a Portugal D7 visa which will allow you to work in Portugal for your overseas employer. However, you also need the D7 visa to obtain a residence permit once you enter Portugal.

Gather all documents needed to apply for the visa and ensure you meet other requirements. It is advised you seek expert guidance from immigration lawyers who have years of experience in making compelling applications for Portugal visa applicants to help you at this stage.

The visa you will be issued typically has 4 months validity and takes about 2 to 3 months to process.

Applying for a Residence Permit

After obtaining your Portugal D7 visa (residency visa), you only have 120 days to convert your residency visa to a residence permit. Therefore you need to enter Portugal and change it at the SEF and collect your residence permit. You must also obtain a social security number at a registration office.

Once you are done with your registration, you will be issued a 2-year temporary residence permit which can be renewed for a further 3 years. You can apply to become a Portuguese citizen or permanent resident when you have stayed in Portugal for 5 years and have met all the requirements under the Portuguese nationality law.