The D7 is Portugal's passive-income and retirement visa, and one required document trips people up: the apostilled FBI background check. Here is how that step works, and how to get it in 7 to 10 business days.
The D7 visa lets you live in Portugal on passive income such as pensions, rentals, or dividends. Alongside your proof of income, accommodation, and savings, Portugal requires a criminal record certificate. For Americans that is the FBI Identity History Summary, apostilled by the U.S. Department of State. Because the FBI check is federal, only the Department of State can apostille it. Your state cannot.
Your FBI background check needs to be recent, and after the apostille you will need a certified Portuguese translation. If you mail your check to the Department of State yourself, the 5 to 12 week timeline can push your document out of date before your consulate appointment. We walk documents in personally and return the apostille in 7 to 10 business days.
Upload it to our apostille order form. We apostille it and ship it back in 7 to 10 business days.
Get fingerprinted (livescan in Virginia, or an FD-258 card mailed in from anywhere for $95), get your result, then apostille it.
Yes. The D7 requires a criminal record certificate. For Americans this is the FBI Identity History Summary, apostilled by the U.S. Department of State.
No. The FBI background check is federal, so only the U.S. Department of State can apostille it. A state apostille will be rejected.
Yes. Get fingerprinted on an FD-258 card in Portugal, mail it to us, and order our $95 mail-in FBI background check. We email you instructions to access your result, then you apostille it online.
Yes. Portugal generally requires a certified Portuguese translation of the apostilled FBI background check. Apostille first, then translate.
7 to 10 business days, federal apostille, return shipping included. Already abroad? Mail your card in for $95.