Just to report that the Atestado de Residencia has been obtained very easily as my local Junta de Freguesia. Thanks again to @mborcherding for the tip!
2 Likes
You are most welcome.
1 Like
I realized recently that when I made my plane reservations months ago to return to the US for a short teaching assignment, I hadnāt considered how long SEF would take to set a date for my biometric appointment. My flights to the US and return flight to Portugal transited through Amsterdam or Paris, and of course I have overstayed the Schengen 90 day tourist limitā¦ Had to cancel and re-book both flights to avoid transiting a Schengen country and having to go through passport control. One of the downsides to moving to Portugal after a GV pre-approval .
1 Like
Maxine- did you get in and out ok in the end?
1 Like
I got out- Remains to be seen if I get back in. I fly on the 16th.
5 Likes
Thanks. Would be great to know how you go in a few weeks if you have to time to come back to update us. Iām guessing you still donāt have a biometric appointment? Iāll be in the same position in Januaryā¦ incredibly stressful so good luck.
1 Like
Hi!! Did you make it ok? 
Breezes right through passport control He barely looked at my passport- just stamped it and I left to get my bags
4 Likes
Oh thatās the best news Iāve heard for ages!! Well done you, (and get booking some flights me!)
1 Like
How long did you over stay in Portugal? Was you out of Portugal long enough to āgainā any days back for re-entry?
1 Like
@mborcherding and All - can you please remind me what official document (despacho?) permits the entry and stay in PT with pre-approval papers only?
2 Likes
I moved to Portugal on March 15 and stayed in the States 3 weeks before returning to Portugal. As a golden visa applicant I only need to be in country 7 days a year, but I do live here perminantly. However, since I have overstayed my Schengen 90 day visa I canāt travel to any Schengen country until I get my residence card, and who knows how long that will take. Been waiting for my SEF appointment for more than 14 months.
3 Likes
Thanks for replying! Did you have to show any documentation , proof of SEF application etcā¦ on re-entry into Portugal?
Looks like I have found the answer to my own question 
https://dre.pt/dre/detalhe/despacho/12870-c-2021-176908200
I believe this is the latest ādespachoā on this subject, dated 31 Dec 2021.
2 Likes
Barely showed my passport. He stamped it in a hurry, no questions, and I was on my way. Frankly, I was shocked.
3 Likes
Tommy - Thanks for this link. Iāve read it a couple of times, but Iām struggling to interpret it, tbh.
So - somewhere within this content, is it saying that it is ālegalā to start living in Portugal, after Pre-approval of GV has been confirmed?
Iām unclear at exactly what stage of the GV application process an individual is able to start going to Portugal and overstaying the 90/180 rule.
I have only just been pre-approved, so am expecting many many months of waiting to even be invited for a biometrics appointmentā¦ let alone attend one! Obtaining my card realistically isnāt going to happen at least, and at best, until 2024.
Iād like to ascertain now though, when I can legally go to Portugal and remain beyond 90 days?
I think my lawyer has said this will not be until I have the residence card literally in my hand. But based on submissions on this thread, Iām not sure if this is correct, and maybe I can challenge my lawyer on this point?
Any insights/ advice/ thoughts on this topic will really be most gratefully received!!
1 Like
I personally have not tested this āDespachoā as I have not yet overstayed.
Everyone I showed it to though seemed very surprised and impressed 
Including my lawyer, my customs broker, my local Financas officeā¦
You should look for the quote which talks about āpending processes with SEFā or something along those lines.
There you go, I have found it:
ā considera-se ser regular a sua permanĆŖncia em territĆ³rio nacional, com processos pendentes no ServiƧo de Estrangeiros e Fronteiras (SEF)ā
I definitely have a āpending process with SEFā, I even have the āprocess numberā - thatās the one showing on your SEF ARI portal if you look it up.
1 Like
Tommy,
Where did you find this quote? Would you please share the source (unless, of course, it is strictly confidential)?
Thank you.
This quote is from the document I shared in my post above in Novā22