Guide
FBI Background Check for Portugal’s D8 Digital Nomad Visa
The D8 window is tight: the FBI report must be issued less than 90 days before you submit the application.
Quick answer
Yes. VFS Global’s U.S. checklist for Portugal’s D8 remote work visa requires a police clearance certificate issued less than 90 days before you submit the application, with the Hague apostille. If you have lived in the U.S. for over a year, it must be issued by the FBI.
Key takeaways
- If you have lived in the U.S. for over a year, the certificate must be issued by the FBI.
- It needs the Hague apostille.
- It must be issued less than 90 days before you submit the application.
- Book your VFS appointment first, then order the FBI report.
What VFS Global asks for
VFS Global’s U.S. checklist for the Portugal D8 (remote work / digital nomad) visa lists:
| Document | Police clearance certificate; if you have lived in the U.S. for over a year, issued by the FBI |
|---|---|
| Authentication | Hague apostille |
| Age | Issued less than 90 days before you submit the application |
The FBI report needs the federal apostille from the U.S. Department of State in Washington, DC. A state apostille on a notarized copy or on a state police check won’t work. See what an FBI report needs before it can be apostilled.
Getting the FBI report ready
We handle the federal side. If you already have your FBI report, mail it to us for the FBI background check apostille — $299, about 10–12 business days. If you still need the report, the FBI check + apostille bundle is $399, about 12–14 business days, starting with an in-person appointment at our West Palm Beach or Miami office. You get back the original FBI report, issued by the FBI with its seal and signature, with the U.S. Department of State apostille attached. We review every document before we submit it.
With a 90-day limit, book your VFS appointment first, then order the FBI report about 6–8 weeks before it. Our bundle takes about 12–14 business days. Check your dates with the processing time estimator.
Frequently asked questions
Does the Portugal D8 visa need an FBI background check?
Yes, if you have lived in the U.S. for over a year. VFS Global requires an FBI-issued police clearance with the Hague apostille.
How recent must the FBI check be for the D8?
Issued less than 90 days before you submit the application.
When should I order the FBI check for the D8?
After you book your appointment, so the report is still under 90 days old on the day you submit.
Official sources: VFS Global USA (for Portugal) — Residency visa for remote work (D8) · U.S. Department of State — Criminal Record Checks. Federal Apostille USA is a private service, not a government agency.
Ready to start?
Order online in minutes, or call and we will walk you through it. Federal documents from anywhere in the U.S. — one flat price, all government fees included.