The D7 is Portugal’s visa for people with regular passive income: pensions, Social Security, rental income, dividends. The minimum is pegged to the Portuguese minimum wage, around €920 a month for the main applicant at the last update, plus 50% for a spouse and 30% for each child. It changes every year, so check the current figure.
The U.S. document every applicant needs apostilled is the FBI background check, which takes a federal apostille from the U.S. Department of State, followed by a Portuguese translation. Family members applying with you will also need their birth and marriage certificates apostilled by the states that issued them.
Timing is the hard part. Portuguese consulates and the immigration agency generally treat an FBI check as current for about 90 days from issue, and want some of that time still left when they see it. Order the FBI check last, not first.
At a glance
U.S. documents for this visa
| Document | Issued by | Certification | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| FBI background check | FBI | Federal apostille | Treated as valid for about 90 days; translate into Portuguese |
| Birth certificates (family) | State vital records | State apostille | For dependants applying with you |
| Marriage certificate | County or state | State apostille | To show the relationship with a spouse applicant |
| Proof of passive income | Pension provider, SSA, bank | Usually none | Some consulates want an apostilled SSA letter. See SSA letters |
| Proof of accommodation | Landlord or deed | None | A 12-month lease is the usual expectation |
Checked against consulate guidance in October 2026. Your consulate’s current checklist always takes precedence.
Things worth knowing
- Sequence the FBI check last. Book the consulate or VFS appointment, then order the check so it lands inside the window.
- Portuguese translation of the apostilled check is expected. See certified translation.
- You need a Portuguese tax number (NIF) and usually a Portuguese bank account before applying, which takes its own time.
How it works
Step 1
Tell us the visa and consulate
We match its checklist against the documents you have.
Step 2
Order what is missing
FBI check, certified copies, or anything else, timed for recency rules.
Step 3
Apostille or attestation
Federal and state documents processed together.
Step 4
Translated and returned
With certified or sworn translation if your consulate asks.
Portugal D7 Visa Documents: common questions
How long is an FBI check valid for a D7?
There is no printed expiry, but Portuguese authorities generally treat it as current for about 90 days from issue. Order it so it is still well inside that window at your appointment.
Can you handle all the apostilles for my Portugal application in one order?
Yes. Federal documents such as the FBI check go to the U.S. Department of State, and state documents go to the states that issued them. We run them together and return the set to you, with translations if you need them.
Do requirements differ between consulates?
Often, in the details. Treat this page as a guide and your consulate’s own checklist as the final word. Tell us your consulate and we will check its current list against your documents.
Official sources
Requirements, fees and processing times are set by the authorities below and can change without notice. Verify anything time-critical directly with them.
Portuguese visa information (Vistos MNE)
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Related: All visa guides · Spain · Italy · FBI background check