… we’re trying to brainstorm how to live legally in Europe. Please forgive me if this has been addressed before–I couldn’t find a chain which addresses my specific questions:
Since the UK and Ireland aren’t in Schengen, Americans can visit for stays up to 180 days (UK) and 90 days (Ireland), in addition to the maximum of 90 days within 180 days in Schengen (please feel free to correct me if I’m mistaken). If this is accurate, an American traveler can cycle through these above three options without needing to return to the U.S., have a GV, or obtain other approvals. Am I understanding this accurately?
Further, Americans can volunteer in the UK or Ireland for up to one year without leaving these countries, assuming the government has approved the placement. Is this also correct? Has anyone else here done anything like this?
If only the Portuguese government had fulfilled their promise to issue us GVs in a timely fashion, we wouldn’t have to engage in complex planning like this and could just live in Portugal and Schengen as promised.
If the border guards will let you in. If they know you haven’t been back to the USA for years, they may suspect you will try work illegally in the UK or something, and could refuse entry.
If you want to live in Portugal, possibly better to show evidence that you want to live physically in Portugal (lease/property deed etc) and pursue a lawsuit?
Thank you for your reply, anonymous. We have zero interest in working illegally and would gladly live in Portugal, but we have not even been pre-approved after having submitted our applications almost two years ago. We would plan to move to Portugal once we’ve had our biometric appointments, as that would be the absolute soonest our IAS attorney has advised us would be appropriate. Unfortunately, we have no compelling reason to bring a lawsuit.
I’m not trying to being dismissive, but many GV applicants plan to relocate to Portugal eventually. No, we don’t own a property in Portugal; our investment was through Mercan. I’m merely saying that our GV application is no more significant than that of any other applicants. I appreciate the feedback, though.
Actually many GV applicants don’t plan to relocate, or not for 5 to 10 years+. I think all that people are saying here is that if you have a strong plan to relocate within the next say 12 months, then that could be a justification for filing an urgent case. Many of those applicants who don’t plan to relocate or at least not in the near future, may be pretty relaxed about the delays. If you don’t want to file a case, not an issue of course!
This is incorrect. You can move to Portugal as soon as you have submitted your application and stay on the national territory whilst your case is processed. We have moved to Portugal before our biometric appointments, still don’t have our final approval, and have been living in Lisbon for over two years. We have also travelled in/out of Portugal through other Schengen (and non-Schengen) ports of entry with no issues, though the regulations might be tightening a bit.
Flying to and from the U.K. and Ireland is no issue, and a letter from SEF (now AIMA) that evidenced a pending case is all that was necessary to re-enter Portugal, and only two times we were asked to show it (by TAP in London and SEF at the border, during the same return trip from the U.S.). Even flying within the EU was not a problem as the airlines only checked passports for identity verification, not legitimacy of the sojourn.
Bottom line: question your lawyers advice and, if necessary, seek alternative legal help.
This has nothing to do with the GV or the year. It is the same for all “Manifestação de Interesse”, and for that matter, it is for all other visas which can be applied for after entering the country. GV and “Manifestação” certainly are, D7, which is applied from and obtained abroad, is not.
I hate to be the Debbie Downer on this thread, but I forwarded this video to my IAS attorney, and she advised me that the Portuguese laws haven’t changed re: GV applicants. She reiterated that she would not advise applicants to move to Portugal upon submitting their applications; instead, she recommends waiting until after biometrics. At that point, there’s apparently an assumption that an applicant will be granted the visa. If anybody knows something my attorney doesn’t, kindly advise.
Do you know how it works for nationals who can’t enter Schengen without a valid schengen visa? For American citizens, e.t.c - You can just enter with your passport. How would it work for e.g with Chinese, Indian passports?
I suggest speaking to an alternate lawyer. I know many people who have moved to PT before biometrics/pre-approval. Then once you are in country it brings the immediate need to have the biometrics done and filing a lawsuit a little easier for AIMA.
You’re not a Debbie “Downer”, you’re frustrated as many others are. As Selina said many of us planned not to move there at all (or in a hurry) so the waiting has been more palatable.
Have you also joined the Golden Visa Chat room? You may benefit from some of our members advice.
We’re in the GV process (started March last year). Did the lawsuit since I went the “open a company route” and wanted to speed process. Got biometric done August 6 and they have 90 business days to approve and then 60 days to issue. So December we should see a bio approval . Slow
Your expected timelines are somehow very optimistic; my situation is similar to yours: I did my biometrics in July 2024 in PortimĂŁo following a lawsuit and I am not expecting the final approval before 3 to 6 months from now as per my lawyer feedback. Hope your case will be faster and will keep you posted with my progress
