D7 from London

I recently applied for my D7 in London. I'm going to post all the details here, thinking it might be useful to others. I had a 9:30am slot, but they called me in 10 minutes early. I was missing forms, because everything I read online was inconsistent, and they let me go downstairs, photocopy/print it out (50p per page) and come back. Here is what was required

  • print out of the interview from VFS; I didn't have this, so they scanned my phone, but then told me to turn it off, and then when I got to the interview, they asked again, but when I turned my phone on they never looked.
  • application form
  • 2 photos
  • personal statement
  • passport valid for 3 months after the end of the requested visa (ie requested start + 120 days + 3 months)
  • 1 photocopy of passport
  • for non-citizens, proof that you're living in the UK legally
  • travel insurance for 6 months
  • criminal record certificate - in the UK, this must be ACRO
  • proof of accommodation for 12 months
  • 3 months of bank account statements, up to date bank statement with at least 9840 euros
  • "specific documents" were one of: pension plus Portuguese bank account; proof of personal revenue plus Portuguese bank account; religious purposes (statement, document certifying blah, Portuguese bank account)

It's a requirement that you have a Portuguese bank account. This can be challenging, but I was able to set my up easily with Millenium BCP at their London branch.

There were other documents for minors and accompanying family members.

Oh! and if you want to keep your passport, you need proof of a flight in the next 60 days, printed out. I left my passport with them.

Timeline

  • 21 January 2025: VFS appointment
  • 20 February 2025: Told I could pick up my passport
  • 9 April 2025: Start of visa (my requested date)
  • 15 July 2025: Appointment with AIMA

Collection is as following. I got an email stating "Your Passport is ready for collection. Collection time :  04.00pm to 05.30pm , Monday - Friday. Please bring your RECEIPT, PHOTO ID. To collect the passport/ID on behalf of others: Authorization letter+ proof of ID (both) and receipt and for minor, proof of relation along with ID and receipt is required." When you go in, they will give you a number, just like your appointment. DO NOT WAIT for this number to be called. Instead, just go to the relevant desk. Each person is just shouting out a list of countries, so find the person shouting out "Portugal"

I hope this helps. Good luck

Important: rules for commenting. Please do your research on what the D7 visa is before asking a question. I will only answer questions related to people applying from the UK. I'm not able to provide an unpaid service for you, but I'm happy to answer sensible questions.

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