Portuguese family visa (D6): peculiarities of obtainment

When planning to move to Portugal, think about the issue of family reunification. It does not matter whether you want to move to the country as a student, employee or entrepreneur. The Portuguese D6 family visa will be one of the easiest options for immigration. This is due to the relative ease of obtaining it. 

Portuguese family reunification visa: what is it and for whom is it relevant?

D6 is a specialized Portuguese family reunification visa, which allows close relatives of the resident to come to the country to live/work/study there. The option is the most simple and correct, and therefore is actively used for relocation. For family reunification in Portugal, it is necessary to apply at the embassy of the country in question or at the consulate located in your jurisdiction.

List of relatives who can count on D6 immigration:

  • A resident spouse, provided the marriage is officially registered.
  • A civil partner. If the marriage is not formalized, joint children, property and other indirect evidence can be used to prove the relationship for the Portuguese D6 visa.
  • Minor children (both natural and adopted), as well as an incapacitated child, even after reaching the age of 18. Proof is a birth certificate or a court decision establishing guardianship. These are the requirements for a Portuguese visa for family reunification.
  • Children over 18 years of age if they are unmarried, studying in Portugal and currently dependent.
  • Parents of a resident aged 65 or over. Alternatively, those under the guardianship of a person who already resides in the country. They are entitled to a family visa to Portugal without further confirmation.
  • Siblings under 18 years. They must be under the guardianship of the resident as decided by the judicial commission.

The list of relatives for whom D6 family immigration to Portugal is acceptable does not include financially independent children, uncles and aunts, as well as grandparents. Movetocascais specialists are ready to offer other ways of relocation for them. For example, they can have visas for freelancers or other types of visas.

Main advantages of the D6 visa

When you obtain a D6 Portugal visa, you will appreciate its benefits. Here are the main advantages of having authorisation documents to enter the country and stay on its territory:

  • The possibility of traveling to Schengen destinations taking into account the visa-free regime. This is necessary not only to get new emotions, but also to solve business tasks.
  • Access to the international banking system without any restrictions. You will encounter the loyalty of employees when checking documents to open an account.
  • Opportunity to receive a European education, which will open the way to the future. If you have a residence permit, you can send your children to school (nine-year education) on a common basis.
  • Reunification of immediate relatives if the requirements for a family visa to Portugal are met. It is about the entry of spouses, children or parents into the country for further legal residence.
  • Possibility of official employment. You will be formalized in accordance with the laws of the country, you will be able to enjoy all the privileges and defend your interests in disputes with your employer.

Do not miss the opportunity to obtain a Portuguese family visa to change the quality of your life and realize new ideas.

Basic requirements for a Portuguese family visa

Take a look at the basic requirements for a Portuguese family reunification visa to have a good idea of what documents you will need. Basic necessities:

  • Filled and signed application form.
  • Foreign passport with at least six months left until the expiry date.
  • Certificate of no criminal record. It is not needed only for persons under 16 years of age and family members of EU, Swiss, EEA citizens.
  • Residence permit card belonging to the main applicant. This refers to the relative who requested family reunification in Portugal.
  • Taxpayer identification number.
  • Certificate showing that there are no debts owed to the Portuguese government.
  • Address where the newcomers will reside. In other words, a rental contract must be provided.
  • Health insurance or other documents for a Portuguese family visa such as a card from the country’s National Health Service.
  • Marriage certificate for legally registered spouses.
  • Certificate of partner’s status or “common-law spouse” status, with a minimum of two years’ experience of living together. The document must be issued by a specialized public authority.
  • Birth certificate of a child. If the child is of legal age and there is no legal spouse, a document on marital status is required. Confirmation that the person is enrolled as a full-time student at an educational institution in the country will also be required. 
  • Birth certificate of the applicant who has applied for family immigration to Portugal. It is required for the relocation of dependent parents. If mother/father is under 65, a certificate of no income will be needed. It is issued by the tax authority of the country from which the departure is planned.

These are the requirements for a Portuguese visa for family reunification, and ignoring them will result in refusal to move. You do not have to waste your time doing the paperwork yourself. 

As for the Portuguese family reunification visa requirements in terms of documents — only those submitted in a notarised translation and accompanied by an apostille are suitable for submission. Other applications will not be considered due to non-compliance with the standards.

Family visa to Portugal: who should apply?

The Portuguese D6 visa is issued to those who are outside the country. However, a person with a residence permit must submit a request to the SEF for family reunification. This refers to a person who is already a resident of Portugal.

It is not uncommon for the children and spouses of a person with a residence permit to come to visit and decide to stay permanently. In such a case, they can submit a request to the SEF to obtain authorization documents on their own. The processing time for a Portuguese family visa is about two months.

Every resident of the country can exercise their right and reunite with their relatives. The programme was adopted to increase the flow of qualified persons entering Portugal. In this case, family members can fully live, study and work in the country, and after five years — to apply for citizenship.

Portuguese D6 visa: step-by-step process of obtainment

Having studied the requirements for a Portuguese family visa, take into account the step-by-step process of obtaining it. This will help to compose the main tasks to fulfill them. In order to get authorisation to relocate, you will be required to do the following:

  • Gather the documents for the Portuguese family visa and apply for a family reunion. This must be done by a resident of the country by visiting the local SEF office.
  • Wait for the approval of the application that is submitted for family reunification.
  • Submit the documents at the consulate of their country. This must be done by the resident’s relatives who need a Portugal D6 visa.
  • Wait for the decision. If it is positive, you can prepare to move;
  • Obtain a residence permit within four months. This is based on the D6 visa for family reunification. After five years, you can apply for citizenship.

Any holder of a residence permit in Portugal has the right to reunite with his/her family. It does not matter whether he/she is in the country for studies, comes for work or carries out volunteer work. The closest relatives of the resident can legally enter the country by obtaining authorization documents. The processing time for a Portuguese family visa is 60 days.

FAQ

Who can get a D6 visa?

The Portuguese family visa is only available to close relatives of a resident. For example, spouse, children, parents.

Where do I apply for the visa?

According to the Portuguese family visa requirements, the application is made within the country, by a resident with a residence permit. This is the case when close relatives are located in another jurisdiction. If family members are traveling to Portugal, they can apply on their own.

Can family members fully study and work after entering the country on a visa?

Yes, the Portuguese D6 visa provides the possibility of obtaining a residence permit, after which family members can work and study on a full-time basis.

Can grandparents or aunts/uncles be brought into the country?

No, the D6 visa is not suitable for them. Consider other programmes to enter Portugal.

How long does it take to process a D6 visa?

The average waiting time is 60 days.