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SEF approval - anyone been approved with < €8.460 in Portugal Bank?

Last activity 22 October 2022 by Andrew Rockwell

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Andrew Rockwell

Evidence of sufficient means of subsistence, as per the provisions of Order number 1563/2007, of 11/12



SEF approval - has anyone been approved at the SEF interview in Portugal with less than €8.460 in a Portugal Bank in 2022??


I'm looking actual experiences in 2022, not opinions.



SEF website

https://imigrante.sef.pt/en/solicitar/trabalhar/art88-1/#:~:text=Documents%20Required&text=Necessary%20documentation%20as%20follows%3A,Valid%20residence%20visa


This link doesn't specify this amount, but  I'm being told by an immigration service in Lisbon that I am required to show SEF proof of income for each person (husband and wife) in a Portugal bank, even though I have documents showing more than enough income from US sources. 


For the initial approval in the US we had both,  funds in a Portugal bank and US source of income documents.


Sincerely

AYODELE AYOTUNDE

Hello Andrew,


Yes, I know someone that was approved with about 7K Euros.

JohnnyPT

@Andrew,


If you have more than enough income sources, why are you asking here about minimum amounts? I sincerely doubt that SEF will authorise visas below the minimum amounts. Even with the minimum amounts it is hard to survive in this country ....


To say here that someone knows who .... is just speculation. It is misleading information and not credible at all ...

donn25

I am not a lawyer and don't have any experience with SEF, but here's the law itself, I think:

https://dre.pt/dre/detalhe/portaria/1563-2007-628798


Where I think you come in, is article 5 section 6 (a)

No caso de cidadão estrangeiro reformado, através de documento comprovativo do respectivo rendimento, bem como da garantia do seu recebimento ou disponibilidade de outros rendimentos em território nacional


... wherein the key point would be the last part, a guarantee of receipt or availability of funds in Portugal.  A bank balance is one way to show availability, but the phrasing seems to leave room for doubt that it's necessary.  Article 7.1 specifically governing temporary residence seems to reinforce that.


Of course at best this is only what's on the books, and I don't know if you can "take that to the bank" with SEF.

Andrew Rockwell

@JohnnyPT


I was doing a reality check against what I was told.  You know, trust but verify.

JohnnyPT

@Andrew,

Please read this:


https://www.expat.com/forum/viewtopic.p … 05#5078324

(Post #3, with 2021 values)

Andrew Rockwell

@JohnnyPT

I think you misinterpreted my post.  I was NOT advocating to have less than the minimum, or trying to get by with less.  We will have more than sufficient funds in our Portugal bank account,  as we did when we received the initial approval in the US back in July 2022..


I am doing a reality check on what others have done.  I like to verify what I've been told.  Again, trust, but verify.


We already live in Portugal, bought an apartment, etc., etc..  We're waiting for the SEF interviews and I want to be sure we have everything covered.


Thank you for your insight and links to other posts.

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