Case Study
Date
September 2022
Type of case
Immigration
From Golden Visa Confusion to Entrepreneurial Success — Christian’s Journey to Residency
Situation Overview
Christian came to our office feeling disillusioned. With the plan to secure a Golden Visa, he had already set up a company in Portugal and hired over 10 employees. However, the law firm initially handling his case informed him they didn’t know how to proceed with the Golden Visa application based on business creation and job creation. That’s when Christian turned to us.
We began by holding a thorough meeting to assess the status of Christian’s company, his most urgent needs, and the remaining issues, as he had terminated his contract with the previous lawyers. We quickly identified his primary concern: securing a Portuguese residence visa so he could manage his business. Although Christian had chosen Portugal as his permanent home, he also needed the ability to travel freely within the Schengen area, as he frequently needed to visit his company’s branch in Poland. Unfortunately, he had overstayed the permitted time in Portugal based on his American citizenship, which had added to his frustration. He had previously been advised that the Golden Visa process could be completed quickly in Portugal, which turned out to be inaccurate.
To complicate matters further, Portugal’s political landscape was shifting, with the Prime Minister announcing the suspension or cancellation of the Golden Visa program for the following year. This introduced another obstacle to Christian’s goal of residing in Portugal as an investor.
Our Strategy
After reviewing his situation in detail, we realized that Christian’s real need wasn’t necessarily the Golden Visa, but a residence visa that would allow him to live, work, and travel freely within the European Union. With this in mind, we proposed a change of course: applying for a D2 visa, designed for entrepreneurs. At that time, the average processing time for a D2 visa application at the Washington D.C. consulate was 65 days.
We swiftly gathered all of Christian’s personal and business documents to prepare for the visa application. While he remained in Portugal, we carefully planned his return to the United States, taking into account the time he needed to be out of the country and the possibility of visa delays. Christian then traveled to Washington, D.C., where he submitted his D2 visa application under our guidance, and afterward, he went to Mexico to enjoy a well-deserved vacation while awaiting the outcome. Two months later, he received an email from the consulate approving his D2 entrepreneur visa. He returned to Portugal with a 120-day visa, allowing him to circulate freely within the Schengen zone and attend meetings in Poland while waiting for his appointment with Portuguese immigration authorities.
Conclusion
By providing Christian with a tailored, comprehensive service, we ensured he received the right visa for his situation. Today, Christian enjoys the benefits of his entrepreneurial residence permit, which allows him to travel freely throughout the Schengen area, attend meetings with ease, and return to Portugal without any hassle. As a resident, he now has the option to bring his family to Portugal through family reunification, should he choose. In five years, Christian will be eligible to apply for permanent residency or even Portuguese citizenship if he meets the necessary requirements.
Christian’s case highlights the importance of personalized legal guidance. If you are facing a complex immigration situation or need help finding the right visa solution, contact us today. Our team is ready to assist you in achieving your immigration and business goals in Portugal.
