Early Applications for Citizenship

Residencies & citizenships Portugal Golden Visa
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I think it’s still important to know, incase they relax the law again in a year or two. You never know, the world is volatile.

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Dear Jack,
Thank you for your advice. It really makes sense.
Best regards,
Vladimir.

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Its a great point but not practical. The PCC expires in 90 days and sometime it takes a lot of effort and time to get them in order.

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Actually, I have had a conversation with an attorney about this very point. You’re right that PCC’s expire in 90 days and I have about 6 to get from different countries (again a huge time sink so am in the same boat). Since we’re submitting an incomplete application early anyway with regards to some requirements (namely the 5-yr residency), why not extend this logic to others as well? I would submit them as and when since the application is not going to be assessed for another 12 - 24 months. Think about this as securing your spot in the queue (i.e., submitting an application with only a copy of my passport and GV card) and completing other requirements with time as they come. I know it’s a long shot and akin to gambling, but so is this entire GV process…

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Because there are different rules for different requirements. I recommend you study the regulations so as not to make uninformed decisions.

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148

How is IRN able to know about/confirm your time in other countries ? Do they have access to a central database ?
I have had 3.5 years in Germany in the mid 2000’s, and the certificate for that will be “bureaucratic” to obtain…

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Quite frankly the concept of “regulations” has been thrown out the window with this entire process …

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I don’t have this impression. The only thing not complied with is the timelines. Everything else is done by the book.

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I am planning to file early. But given the timelines, it will be technically impossible for me to get COCs from all countries (Singapore, UAE, Hong Kong, USA and India) and so I am going to file it with whichever COCs are available. USA and HKG are looking unlikely to be sorted within a few weeks. So I may end up doing a gamble on top of a gamble…

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152

I think we’re ready to apply for citizenship. Quick question on timing:

The new nationality law was passed to the president. If the president signs it this week, does that mean we can no longer apply under the old framework?

In terms of documents, we have:

  • Residency card
  • Language school enrollment letter
  • Criminal record and birth certificate from our GV application (they’re expired but my lawyer says that they still work for submission)

Looks like we can submit once we have everything together. Just worried the new law might change the rules before we get there.

Anyone know how this works?

Thanks!

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I’m also missing the Apostille for a police check.

Once the President promulgates the new decree, and it is published in the Diário da República, then yes, every new applicant will be assessed under new rules. Its a race against time from now.

I’m also ready to submit, but don’t know which lawyer to use. May I ask which firm are you going to submit with? Would you recommend a contact info? Many thanks.

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154

I sent you my lawyer contact.

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155

I have a 17 year old and a 19 year old. My application and my 19 year old’s have been submitted (we have been eligible since Oct 2024) but my 17 year olds cannot be submitted because I have not been approved yet (and likely will not before he turns 18 next year). So we are beside ourselves that he is going to be negatively affected by the change in law and this will mean he can only apply in 2033 when he is 24 years old. I have gone through many of these posts on early application, but can’t find anything related to this situation. Does anyone suggest that we put in an application for him or is this just not going to be viable because it’s almost a year before he turns 18?

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156

I believe NSM mentioned during their webinar that they think there’s a chance that kids above 16 ish would have a chance at early application, since by the time their application is decided they would have already turned 18. (Anyone else recall the same?)

And if they already met the residency requirement perhaps that would strengthen their case somewhat.

Like all early applications, it’s a relatively long shot. But beyond the costs to file there doesn’t seem to be a significant downside.

Make sure to discuss with your lawyer to get their take.

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157

Is anyone who applied for the GV 2024 or later applying early?

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I am in a very similar situation to you. I applied last year as I was eligible, as did my 19-year-old. Am now taking a chance with my 17-year-old, who turns 18 in July, and have just submitted her documents via NSM (who have helped me previously with residency renewals). A long shot - esp as she has not completed her A2, but worth trying in my opinion.

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Thanks Thomas and Bridget. My son did The A2 language certificate last year when he was 16 so we have that but don’t have the other docs apostilled and also would need Police clearance. Does anyone know until when we could still submit?

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I’m also waiting for apostilled versions of her PC and birth certificate, but have submitted what I have so long, and I understand that the updated docs will be uploaded as they come in. The advice from NSM was to not delay and submit what I had so long.

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161

Thanks Bridget, really appreciate. Your situation is very similar to ours and I just feel it is so unfair to treat two children from the same family under the same GV differently. My heart feels very upset for my son and at least this gives some hope.

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162

Applied March 2025 and if the 2-3 year processing estimate holds we’d be rejected in 2028 or 2029 when our citizen application comes up. We don’t hit 5 yrs until March 2030.

With the number of people applying early if the timeline extends to 4 years, that could make the difference and get us to 2030. But as others have said, an early application is still a long shot and we have many chances for automatic failure depending on how fast they process applications.

Also, our (well regarded) attorney hasn’t recommend applying early.

Three options as I see it:

  1. Apply early and if rejected due to lack of 5 yrs, apply again at 5 years and once rejected file lawsuit using legitimate expectations.

  2. Apply early and if rejected past our 5 years, may need to apply again (?) and/or file lawsuit using legitimate expectations. This option starts to approach 10 years depending on variables

  3. Apply at 5 years and once rejected file lawsuit using legitimate expectations.

All roads lead to option 3. It has the least legal fees and least mental turmoil. And at year 5-6ish, the writing should be on the wall since we’ll be able to see other court results. We can bail or continue at that time. So I think that’s where we are going.

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