{"id":14673,"date":"2026-10-21T17:38:48","date_gmt":"2026-10-21T17:38:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/novomove.com\/d7-visa-from-usa-san-francisco-client-story\/"},"modified":"2026-10-22T13:15:26","modified_gmt":"2026-10-22T13:15:26","slug":"d7-visa-from-usa-san-francisco-client-story","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/novomove.com\/pt\/d7-visa-from-usa-san-francisco-client-story\/","title":{"rendered":"From the Pacific Northwest to Porto: Jason and Amy&#8217;s D7 Visa Story"},"content":{"rendered":"<p class=\"nm-lede wp-block-paragraph\">Jason and Amy went to their D7 appointment at VFS San Francisco on 2 July 2026. Their lease had been signed twelve days earlier. Four weeks later their visas were issued.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"nm-lede wp-block-paragraph\">By August they were living in Porto. Jason&#8217;s income is his US military disability pension, which is exactly the kind of steady monthly income the D7 is built for.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large nm-client-photo\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1600\" height=\"1195\" src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/d7-usa-bank-paperwork.jpg\" alt=\"A home office desk with a printer, reams of A4 and US letter paper and signed bank forms\" class=\"wp-image-14666\" srcset=\"https:\/\/novomove.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/d7-usa-bank-paperwork.jpg 1600w, https:\/\/novomove.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/d7-usa-bank-paperwork-300x224.jpg 300w, https:\/\/novomove.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/d7-usa-bank-paperwork-1024x765.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/novomove.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/d7-usa-bank-paperwork-768x574.jpg 768w, https:\/\/novomove.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/d7-usa-bank-paperwork-1536x1147.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/novomove.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/d7-usa-bank-paperwork-16x12.jpg 16w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1600px) 100vw, 1600px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Illustrative image.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>We&#8217;ve changed their names and some dates at their request.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Applying through VFS in the US has its own frustrations. Here&#8217;s how their application went, and what we&#8217;d tell anyone starting the same route.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"nm-glance\">\n<style>\n.nm-ans{border-left:3px solid #F5C518;padding-left:22px;}\n.nm-ans p{color:#1B2A4A;}\n.nm-lede{font-size:20px;line-height:1.65;color:#1B2A4A;}\n.nm-client-photo img,.nm-break img{border-radius:18px;aspect-ratio:4\/3;object-fit:cover;width:100%;}\n.nm-glance{background:#fff;border:1px solid #EDEFF3;border-radius:18px;box-shadow:0 1px 3px rgba(10,15,30,.04);padding:26px 28px;margin:32px 0 8px;font-family:inherit;}\n.nm-glance .nm-g-k{font-size:12.5px;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:.1em;text-transform:uppercase;color:#5a6b8c;margin-bottom:18px;}\n.nm-glance .nm-g-grid{display:grid;grid-template-columns:repeat(2,minmax(0,1fr));gap:18px 28px;}\n.nm-glance .nm-g-l{font-size:13px;color:#5a6b8c;margin-bottom:2px;}\n.nm-glance .nm-g-v{font-size:16px;font-weight:600;color:#1B2A4A;line-height:1.45;}\n.nm-glance .nm-g-tl{display:flex;flex-wrap:wrap;align-items:center;gap:10px 14px;margin-top:22px;padding-top:20px;border-top:1px solid #EDEFF3;}\n.nm-glance .nm-g-step{display:flex;flex-direction:column;}\n.nm-glance .nm-g-step span:first-child{font-size:13px;color:#5a6b8c;}\n.nm-glance .nm-g-step span:last-child{font-size:17px;font-weight:700;color:#1B2A4A;}\n.nm-glance .nm-g-line{flex:1 1 60px;min-width:40px;height:2px;background:#EDEFF3;position:relative;}\n.nm-glance .nm-g-days{position:absolute;left:50%;top:-11px;transform:translateX(-50%);background:#FFFBF0;border:1px solid #F2E6BE;border-radius:999px;padding:1px 10px;font-size:12.5px;font-weight:700;color:#8a6d00;white-space:nowrap;}\n.nm-pull{margin:36px 0;font-size:28px;font-weight:600;line-height:1.3;letter-spacing:-0.01em;color:#1B2A4A;font-family:inherit;}\n@media (max-width:700px){.nm-glance .nm-g-grid{grid-template-columns:1fr;}}\n<\/style>\n<div class=\"nm-g-k\">Their move at a glance<\/div>\n<div class=\"nm-g-grid\">\n<div><div class=\"nm-g-l\">Visto<\/div><div class=\"nm-g-v\">D7 (pension income), Amy as dependent<\/div><\/div>\n<div><div class=\"nm-g-l\">Applied from<\/div><div class=\"nm-g-v\">VFS San Francisco, USA<\/div><\/div>\n<div><div class=\"nm-g-l\">Servi\u00e7o Novomove<\/div><div class=\"nm-g-v\">NIF and bank account for both, then our Premium visa package<\/div><\/div>\n<div><div class=\"nm-g-l\">Where they live now<\/div><div class=\"nm-g-v\">Porto<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"nm-g-tl\">\n<div class=\"nm-g-step\"><span>VFS appointment<\/span><span>2 Jul 2026<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"nm-g-line\"><span class=\"nm-g-days\">28 days<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"nm-g-step\"><span>Visa issued<\/span><span>30 Jul 2026<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"nm-g-line\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"nm-g-step\"><span>Moved to Porto<\/span><span>Aug 2026<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Starting with the NIF and the bank<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Jason and Amy started small. In February 2026 they ordered their Portuguese tax numbers (NIF) and a joint bank account from us. A few weeks later Jason asked whether we could also help them find a VFS appointment. That&#8217;s when they moved up to our Premium visa package, with Amy added as his dependent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Doing the NIF and bank first is a sensible order. Both are needed for the visa, and the bank account can take weeks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Getting a VFS San Francisco appointment<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This was the hardest part, and it had nothing to do with their documents.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Slots are scarce.<\/strong> VFS San Francisco releases appointments in batches, and they go within minutes. Jason checked the site several times a day for weeks.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>The payment page broke.<\/strong> In April, every slot he tried failed at the payment step. It was happening to many applicants at once.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Rescheduling didn&#8217;t work.<\/strong> He eventually booked 22 May, which turned out to be too early because the bank account wasn&#8217;t ready. The reschedule button failed, so Jason booked a new date, 2 July, through <strong>Amy&#8217;s own VFS account<\/strong> and cancelled the first one. The consulate confirmed by email that her application was attached to his file.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you&#8217;re a couple, it helps that each of you can hold a VFS account. It gives you a second way in when the system misbehaves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">US paperwork, Portuguese rules<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A few things caught them out that catch out most US applicants:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>A4 paper.<\/strong> The Portuguese bank forms have to be printed, signed and posted. US printers are loaded with letter-size paper, so Jason had to go out and buy A4 first. It sounds trivial, but it cost a day.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>The FBI background check needs an apostille.<\/strong> They used an expedited apostille service to get it back in time. Allow a few weeks either way.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Documents have a shelf life.<\/strong> The criminal record should be issued no more than 90 days before your appointment, and the marriage certificate no more than six months. Time them so they&#8217;re still valid on the day.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The money arrived late<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Their savings were coming out of US retirement accounts, and the transfers took longer than planned. That held everything up: the bank account opened at the end of May, and the rest of their savings landed in early June.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The knock-on effect was the lease. They couldn&#8217;t commit to a flat until the money was there, so the search only started on 4 June for an appointment on 2 July. In 16 days they found a flat in Porto, our partner lawyer reviewed the lease, and they signed it. The registration with the tax office, the rent receipts and their insurance all came together in the last week.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It worked, but it was tight. If your savings are moving from retirement accounts, start the transfer early.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The appointment<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">On 19 June our team went through the complete file, and our partner lawyer signed it off. We also edited both cover letters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The appointment itself was quick and not especially friendly. The VFS agent was rushed and questioned the bank statements. Jason explained them on the spot, and nothing had to be sent afterwards.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"nm-pull\">28 days from the VFS appointment in San Francisco to an approved D7.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">VFS quotes around 60 days. Their visas were issued on 30 July, <strong>28 days<\/strong> after the appointment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">After approval<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The visa is valid for four months, and you use it to enter Portugal and apply for residence. Their AIMA residence appointment came with the visa: June 2027, in Viana do Castelo, even though they live in Porto. That&#8217;s normal now. AIMA appointments are often months away and in a different city, sometimes after the visa itself has expired. Your appointment confirmation is what covers you in between.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large nm-break\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1600\" height=\"1195\" src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/d7-usa-porto-moving-day.jpg\" alt=\"Suitcases and moving boxes in a bright Porto flat with a balcony over terracotta rooftops\" class=\"wp-image-14667\" srcset=\"https:\/\/novomove.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/d7-usa-porto-moving-day.jpg 1600w, https:\/\/novomove.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/d7-usa-porto-moving-day-300x224.jpg 300w, https:\/\/novomove.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/d7-usa-porto-moving-day-1024x765.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/novomove.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/d7-usa-porto-moving-day-768x574.jpg 768w, https:\/\/novomove.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/d7-usa-porto-moving-day-1536x1147.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/novomove.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/d7-usa-porto-moving-day-16x12.jpg 16w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1600px) 100vw, 1600px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Illustrative image.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">If you&#8217;re applying from the US<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Do the NIF and bank account first.<\/strong> They take the longest and the visa needs both.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Watch VFS release days<\/strong>, and if you&#8217;re a couple, keep a VFS account each.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Buy A4 paper<\/strong> before your bank forms arrive.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Time your FBI check and apostille<\/strong> so they&#8217;re under 90 days old on the day.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Move your savings early<\/strong>, especially out of retirement accounts. Everything else waits on them.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Start the lease search as soon as the money is in.<\/strong> It&#8217;s the last piece and the easiest to run late.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"nm-cta\">\n<style>\n.nm-cta{background:#1B2A4A;border-radius:20px;overflow:hidden;color:#fff;box-shadow:0 24px 60px rgba(10,15,30,.18);margin:48px 0 0;font-family:inherit;}\n.nm-cta img{width:100%;aspect-ratio:16\/9;object-fit:cover;display:block;margin:0;}\n.nm-cta .nm-cta-body{padding:38px;}\n.nm-cta .nm-cta-pill{display:inline-block;background:#F5C518;color:#1B2A4A;border-radius:999px;padding:6px 14px;font-size:13px;font-weight:700;}\n.nm-cta p{font-size:17px;line-height:1.65;color:rgba(255,255,255,.86);margin:18px 0 22px;}\n.nm-cta .nm-cta-btns{display:flex;flex-wrap:wrap;gap:12px;}\n.nm-cta .nm-btn-p{display:inline-flex;align-items:center;background:#F5C518;color:#1B2A4A !important;padding:14px 24px;border-radius:12px;font-weight:700;font-size:16px;text-decoration:none;}\n.nm-cta .nm-btn-p:hover{background:#E3B30C;}\n.nm-cta .nm-btn-s{display:inline-flex;align-items:center;color:#fff !important;border:1px solid rgba(255,255,255,.4);padding:14px 24px;border-radius:12px;font-weight:700;font-size:16px;text-decoration:none;}\n.nm-cta .nm-btn-s:hover{background:#fff;color:#1B2A4A !important;}\n<\/style>\n<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/d7-usa-cta-porto-viewpoint.jpg\" alt=\"A couple at a sunny viewpoint in Porto looking over the Douro river and the Dom Lu\u00eds I bridge\">\n<div class=\"nm-cta-body\">\n<span class=\"nm-cta-pill\">Applying for the D7 from the US?<\/span>\n<p>VFS slots, US paperwork and a lease from 5,000 miles away all take planning. Book a free 15-minute call and we&#x27;ll go through your timeline with you.<\/p>\n<div class=\"nm-cta-btns\">\n<a class=\"nm-btn-p\" href=\"\/pt\/consulta-gratuita\/\">Book a Free 15-Minute Call \u2192<\/a>\n<a class=\"nm-btn-s\" href=\"\/pt\/assistencia-para-o-visto-d7-de-portugal\/\">See the D7 Visa Package<\/a>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"nm-legal wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:14px;line-height:1.6;color:#8a94a6;border-top:1px solid #EDEFF3;padding-top:22px;margin-top:36px\">Names are pseudonyms, used at the clients&#x27; request, and some dates have been changed. Images are illustrative. Every application is different, and consulate requirements and timelines change. Novomove is a relocation technology platform that coordinates licensed Portuguese lawyers, not a law firm.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>A US couple&#8217;s D7 through VFS San Francisco: months without slots, a booking workaround, a lease found in 16 days and approval in 28 days.<\/p>","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":14665,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_kad_post_transparent":"","_kad_post_title":"","_kad_post_layout":"","_kad_post_sidebar_id":"","_kad_post_content_style":"","_kad_post_vertical_padding":"","_kad_post_feature":"","_kad_post_feature_position":"","_kad_post_header":false,"_kad_post_footer":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[83],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-14673","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-client-stories"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/novomove.com\/pt\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14673","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/novomove.com\/pt\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/novomove.com\/pt\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/novomove.com\/pt\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/novomove.com\/pt\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=14673"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/novomove.com\/pt\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14673\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":14683,"href":"https:\/\/novomove.com\/pt\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14673\/revisions\/14683"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/novomove.com\/pt\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/14665"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/novomove.com\/pt\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=14673"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/novomove.com\/pt\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=14673"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/novomove.com\/pt\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=14673"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}