Journey · Door 02 · D7

The D7 journey

From NIF to residence card on passive income, with the consulate and AIMA in between.

Start D7, $1,490 See the map

BOCEAN IMMIGRATION PORTUGAL, LDA · NIPC 519043731 · Payments by Stripe

At a glance

What you get, who decides, what it costs

What you get: A 4-month entry visa, then a 2-year residence card renewable for 3 more years
Who decides: The Portuguese consulate in your country, then AIMA
Official timeframe: 4 to 8 months from kickoff. The authorities set the pace.
Reside fee: $1,490 flat
Left out: Consulate and AIMA fees, translations, insurance, apostilles and travel

01 · The map

Every step, and who acts in it

01
NIF and fiscal setup
Month 1. Your NIF, fiscal representation and the power of attorney.
Reside
02
Bank account and income proofs
Months 1 to 2. You gather 6 to 12 months of income evidence and we help you open a Portuguese bank account.
You
03
Consulate dossier
Months 1 to 2. We compile the dossier and you submit it at the Portuguese consulate.
You
04
Visa issued
Months 2 to 4. The consulate issues the 4-month entry visa.
Authority
05
AIMA biometrics
Months 4 to 8. Biometrics in Portugal, about 30 minutes.
Authority
06
Residence card
Months 4 to 8. AIMA sends the 2-year card by post.
Authority

The label shows who acts in that step: You, Reside or the Authority that decides. In your client area the same path shows as Details, Documents, Sign and Filed.

02 · The steps

Each step in detail

What happens, what you do, what we do, and what the authority does.

NIF and fiscal setup

Reside

What happens: Everything starts with the NIF, which the consulate file needs. The NIF arrives in 5 to 14 business days. See the NIF journey for that part.
Your part: Pay, sign the power of attorney, upload your passport and a proof of address.
Our part: We act as fiscal representative for 1 year and file the NIF.
The authority: The tax authority issues the NIF.
In your client area: Details, Documents and Sign steps with Received and Signed stamps.

ReceivedSigned

Bank account and income proofs

You

What happens: You assemble the evidence that your passive income is regular and verifiable. We help you open a Portuguese bank account.
Your part: Collect 6 to 12 months of bank statements, pension award letters, dividend statements or rental contracts. Order your criminal record certificate with apostille.
Our part: We tell you what is missing, review what you send and help with the bank account.
Documents: Income proofs, criminal record with apostille, about 12 months of income held in a bank account in your name.
What can delay it: Income that looks one-off or cannot be verified. Documents in a foreign language that need certified translation.
In your client area: Each upload shows Received, then Checked or Needs a new file.

Consulate dossier

You

What happens: We compile the full dossier: income proofs, criminal record with apostille, accommodation and health insurance. You submit it at the Portuguese consulate in your country and we brief you for the appointment.
Your part: Attend the consulate appointment with the dossier. Arrange proof of accommodation in Portugal and health insurance.
Our part: We compile the dossier, coordinate apostilles and guide you on the insurance and the accommodation proof.
The authority: The Portuguese consulate in your country receives and examines the file.
Documents: Passport, NIF, income proofs, criminal record with apostille, accommodation proof, health insurance.
What can delay it: A missing document or an unverifiable income source.
In your client area: The case moves to Filed when the dossier is complete and submitted.

Filed

Visa issued

Authority

What happens: If the consulate approves the file, it issues an entry visa valid for 4 months. You then travel to Portugal.
Your part: Travel to Portugal within the validity of the visa.
Our part: We book your AIMA appointment.
The authority: The consulate decides and issues the visa.
What can delay it: The consulate sets the pace.

AIMA biometrics

Authority

What happens: You attend the AIMA appointment in Portugal and give biometrics.
Your part: Attend the appointment.
Our part: We book the appointment and prepare you for it.
The authority: AIMA takes your biometrics and processes the residence card.
What can delay it: AIMA appointment availability.

Residence card

Authority

What happens: AIMA sends your residence card, valid for 2 years and renewable for 3 more. Your case management lasts 12 months.
Your part: Check the details on the card and keep it safe.
Our part: We stay with your case for 12 months of case management.
The authority: AIMA issues the card.
In your client area: The case closes with the card delivered.

03 · Documents

What to have ready

Documents for the D7 journey
Document	What it is for	Where to get it	Format	Typical status in your area	Translation or apostille
Passport data page	Identity for the NIF and the consulate file	Your passport	PDF, JPG or PNG, up to 10 MB	Missing, then Received and Checked	None listed
Proof of address from your country	NIF filing	Utility bill or bank statement dated within the last 3 months	PDF, JPG or PNG, up to 10 MB	Missing, then Received	None listed
Income proof	Shows regular passive income of at least €920 a month for you, plus 50% per spouse and 30% per child	6 to 12 months of bank statements, pension award letters, dividend statements or rental contracts	PDF, JPG or PNG, up to 10 MB	Missing, then Received or Needs a new file	Certified translation may apply. Depends on your case
Funds held	About 12 months of income in a bank account in your name	A Portuguese bank account or a recognised international account	PDF, JPG or PNG, up to 10 MB	Missing, then Received	Depends on your case
Criminal record certificate	Required by the consulate	The authority in your country	PDF, JPG or PNG, up to 10 MB	Missing, then Received	Apostille required
Proof of accommodation in Portugal	Required by the consulate	Lease, ownership document or similar	PDF, JPG or PNG, up to 10 MB	Missing, then Received	Depends on your case
Health insurance	Required by the consulate	A Portuguese insurer, about €40 to €80 per month	PDF, JPG or PNG, up to 10 MB	Missing, then Received	Not applicable
Power of attorney	Lets us file and represent you	Prepared by us, signed in the portal	Signed in the portal	Waiting for your signature, then Signed	Not applicable

04 · Costs

Who charges what

One flat fee. Official fees and third parties are separate.

Reside fee

$1,490 flat: NIF and 1 year of fiscal representation, power of attorney, full consulate dossier, apostille coordination, bank account help, AIMA appointment booking, 12 months of case management, family inclusion at no extra service fee

Government and official fees

Consulate visa fee, about €90 per applicant
AIMA residence card fee, about €85 per card
Apostille or consular legalisation in your country
Each family member adds a small consulate and AIMA fee

Third parties

Certified translations, about €20 to €40 per page
Portuguese health insurance, about €40 to €80 per month
Travel to the consulate and to Portugal for biometrics

05 · Timeline

How long it takes

Month 1NIF, fiscal representation, power of attorney
Months 1 to 2Consulate dossier compiled and submitted
Months 2 to 44-month entry visa issued, you travel
Months 4 to 8AIMA biometrics and the 2-year card by post

The authority sets the pace

4 to 8 months is the range the service page gives from kickoff. It is not a promise. The consulate and AIMA set the pace.

06 · After

What happens next

The card is valid for 2 years and renews for 3 more. You can work, freelance or start a company in Portugal.
Absences are limited to 6 consecutive months, or 8 months in total, in each residency period.
Register for IFICI if you qualify: IFICI tax registration.
Set up a Portuguese company later with the LDA service, or use a Lisbon address for your mail.
After 5 years of legal residency you can apply for permanent residency. Citizenship is a separate, later step. Under the Nationality Law in force since 18 May 2026 the qualifying residency period is 10 years for most foreigners and 7 years for nationals of CPLP countries, counted from the date the residence card is issued.

07 · Risks

What goes wrong, and how to avoid it

Income that looks one-off or cannot be verified. The consulate rejects it. Show regular, documented passive income.
Below the threshold: €920 a month for one person, rising by 50% per spouse and 30% per dependent child.
Missing the apostille on the criminal record certificate.
Staying outside Portugal more than 6 consecutive months, or 8 months in total, in a residency period.
Assuming the consulate or AIMA will be quick. Both set their own pace.

08 · Glossary

Words you will meet

D7: Portugal's residency visa for people with regular passive income.
AIMA: Agência para a Integração, Migrações e Asilo, which takes biometrics and issues the residence card.
Apostille: A certificate that makes a public document valid abroad. Your criminal record needs one.
Consulate: The Portuguese consulate in your country, which receives the file and issues the entry visa.
NIF: The 9-digit Portuguese taxpayer number.

Questions

About this journey

How long does the D7 take?

4 to 8 months from kickoff. The consulate and AIMA set the pace.

What income do I need?

At least €920 a month for the main applicant, plus 50% per spouse and 30% per dependent child. Family members do not need their own income.

What do I do and what do you do?

You gather income and personal documents, attend the consulate and AIMA appointments, and travel. We prepare the dossier, coordinate apostilles, help with the bank account and book the AIMA appointment.

Can I include my family?

Yes. Spouse and dependent children can be included. Each family member adds a small consulate and AIMA fee.

What is not in the $1,490?

Consulate and AIMA fees, translations, insurance and travel are billed at cost or paid to third parties.

What if the file is rejected because of an error on your side?

The fee is refundable on a filing error, as set out in the refund policy.

Go further

The service page and other doors

The service page has the full requirements and the price box: D7 visa, $1,490.

Not sure about a step? Book a free 15-minute call

Open door 02

Ready when you are

Start with the first step and the rest follows the map above.

Start D7, $1,490