FBI Apostille Services for Portugal

FBI Background Check Requirements for Moving to Portugal

Most residency and long-term visa categories share the same requirement for a criminal report. If you’re wondering whether your situation requires one, here’s a quick breakdown of when it usually applies.

D7 and Digital Nomad Visa Applications

The retirement and passive income (D7) program requires a clean history as part of the application. Similarly, Portugal’s digital nomad (D8) visa also mandates a national record certificate. Furthermore, the document must feature an apostille certificate to be recognized by Portuguese immigration authorities.

Work, Business, and Study Visa Applications

If you’re heading abroad to land a job, start a business, or enroll in school, be prepared to submit a criminal record apostilled for Portugal. An FBI background check for a Portugal visa typically has to be issued within 3 to 6 months and authenticated at the federal level before submission to the requesting agency.

Family Reunification Applications

Bringing a family to Portugal with you has its own document checklist, and an FBI rap sheet is almost always part of it. Whether you’re applying for a D6 visa or sponsoring a spouse or child, each adult applicant must submit a separate background check, accompanied by its own apostille, to meet Portuguese rules.

FBI Apostille Services for Americans Already Living in Portugal

If you’re already settled into the Portuguese culture and just discovered you need this paperwork? Ordering an FBI background check apostille from Portugal is totally doable, and you don’t have to fly back or appear in person.

Electronic FBI Background Check Submission From Portugal

The most efficient way to obtain a rap sheet in Portugal is through the FBI’s official online portal. You can start an electronic application, mail in your fingerprint card, and receive the results in your inbox. Then forward the digital PDF to us, and we’ll take over from there.

Submission of an Existing Paper FBI Background Check

Opting for the paper application or already holding a physical report? You can still proceed without issue. Mail us the physical background check with the original Section Chief’s signature and official color seal. The apostille must be affixed to the original version, so photocopies or scans won’t be accepted for processing.  

International Delivery of the Completed Apostille

Once your FBI report is stamped with federal authentication, we’ll ship the finished package to your listed address in Portugal, whether it’s Lisbon, Porto, or anywhere else. There’s no need to worry about customs delays or lost mail, as you can track it along the way and plan your Portuguese submission accordingly.

FBI Apostille Processing Times, Pricing, and Delivery Options

When moving to Portugal from the USA, timing can make or break your visa application, especially when you have an appointment booked with VFS Global. Taking that into consideration, EZ Apostille offers two processing options:

• Regular processing by mail (5 weeks+): Follow the standard timeline at the State Department, solid for those having a flexible timeline.
• Expedited handling (2–3 weeks): Hand delivery to the office in Washington, D.C. for faster turnaround when timing is of the essence.

You’ll be quoted the total cost upfront, which includes the federal apostille processing fee, our professional service, and secure shipping to your address. Pay us once, and our team covers every cost from government submission to final delivery — absolutely zero hidden fees at the end.