Portugal remains one of the most appealing places for Americans thinking about starting a new life overseas. Whether they want to retire, work from home, invest, study, join family members, or get medical care, Portugal offers a mix that's hard to beat. It has nice weather, costs less to live there, welcomes newcomers, and gives access to the rest of the European Union.

However, most long-term visa categories have one key requirement: you must get a clean FBI background check and make sure it has the right apostille. This can be tricky, time-sensitive, and full of red tape, so many Americans choose expert help like Globeia to handle it all.

Why Portugal Wants FBI Background Checks

Portugal asks all foreigners who want to stay long-term (over 90 days) to show a criminal background check. This helps them make sure the person won't cause safety issues. For Americans, this means getting an FBI Identity History Summary, which people often call an FBI background check.

This document needs to show that you don't have a serious criminal record, which is a key part of qualifying for visa approval. Only having the FBI background check would not help. You also need to get it authenticated with a federal apostille from the U.S. Department of State for Portuguese immigration authorities to accept it.

If you don't have this federal-level apostille, your visa application could run into holdups, get turned down, or be thrown out, often throwing a wrench in travel plans or business kickoffs.

What is an Apostille, and why is it Important for Portugal?

An apostille serves to authenticate public documents verifying the legitimacy of FBI reports, diplomas, birth and marriage certificates, affidavits, and other official papers. Countries that have joined the Hague Apostille Convention, including Portugal, accept this form of verification.

An apostille functions as a seal of trust confirming a document's validity in its country of origin and ensuring its acceptance abroad. When processing visas for Portugal, the apostille assures the Portuguese government that your documents are official and genuine. Without this certification, even authentic documents might face rejection.

Situations Requiring Apostilled FBI Checks & Authenticated Papers

When you apply for a long-term visa to Portugal, you need an apostilled FBI background check. This document shows you don't have a serious criminal record and makes sure your papers are accepted under the Hague Apostille Convention. Different types of visas might need other apostilled papers too, such as birth certificates, diplomas, money records, or marriage certificates.

Here's how various visa types involve apostille paperwork:

Work Visas: Employed professionals or remote workers need a clean FBI background check with a federal apostille. Business or Investment Visas: The Golden Visa falls into this category. You must have apostilled financial documents, proof of investment, and FBI checks.
Student Visas: Many universities ask for apostilled academic records, proof of vaccinations, and a background check. Healthcare or Medical Residency Visas: If you plan to get treatment or work in healthcare, you'll need apostilled medical and personal records.
Retirement Visas: Examples include the D7 or passive income visa. These require apostilled proof of income and a background check.
Adoption and Family Reunification: Apostilled marital status, guardianship papers, and FBI records are often needed.
Special Categories (D3, D6, D10): Athletes, artists, clergy, and volunteers must have background checks and, at times, professional certificates, all with apostilles.

Regardless of your visa category, getting your papers apostilled is a crucial part of moving to Portugal. If you also want to know more about the FBI background check, apostille, and translation for Portugal, and how to complete them, read our blog here.

Common Mistakes Americans Make When Completing the Process Themselves

A lot of people in the US try to handle FBI background checks and apostilles on their own, but this often leads to expensive errors. Here's why:

Wrong mailing addresses: The FBI report and apostille request need to go to separate government offices. Sending them to the wrong place causes holdups.
Out-of-date reports: The FBI check needs to be less than 90 days old when you submit your visa; they might turn down older ones.
Incorrect apostille source: Only the U.S. Department of State has the power to give a valid apostille for federal papers like FBI reports. They don't take state apostilles for these.
Unacceptable document types: They don't take DIY printouts or copies of digital FBI checks; real, signed, and sealed papers are okay.
Slow timelines: Regular apostille processing through government channels can take 8–12 weeks, often longer than visa deadlines permit.
No tracking: Without a reliable way to track documents, you can't tell if they're lost, held up, or processed.

Why Using an Expert Service for FBI Checks and Apostilles Saves You Time and Headaches

Relocating to Portugal is an exciting journey, but the process comes with several crucial steps that must be completed properly. Among the most important are your FBI background check, obtaining the apostille, and getting a certified translation of your documents. These steps may sound simple, but they involve strict guidelines, specific authorities, and time-sensitive processing. This is where working with an expert apostille service, like Globeia, becomes a huge advantage.

Step 1: Obtaining the FBI Background Check

The first step is to request an official FBI Identity History Summary (background check) from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). This can be done in two ways:

Electronic submission, or
Submitting fingerprint cards (like FD-258 or FD-1164).

If you're unsure how to do this, expert services can help by giving you detailed guidelines. They can even take care of the fingerprint submission on your behalf. All you need to do is get your fingerprints taken either at a local police station or a certified fingerprinting provider, and send them to the service provider. The rest is handled for you.

Some services can also help you collect fingerprints properly, ensuring your application won’t be rejected due to errors like smudges or incomplete impressions.

Step 2: Apostille for FBI Report

Getting the FBI background check alone is not enough for use in Portugal. It must be apostilled to be recognized by Portuguese immigration authorities. This apostille must come from the U.S. Department of State, since the FBI report is a federal document.

Some applicants mistakenly send the FBI report for a state-level apostille, which is incorrect in most cases. While a few rare situations may allow it, most Portuguese embassies and consulates only accept federal apostilles. That's why it's essential to confirm with your consulate and use a service that understands the specific requirements.

Companies like Globeia offer bundled services, where they take care of:

Ordering your FBI report,
Getting the correct apostille,
Sending the apostilled document to your consulate, immigration lawyer, or directly to you.

This ensures your documents are processed correctly and without delays.

Step 3: Certified Portuguese Translation

Finally, many Portuguese authorities require your documents to be translated into Portuguese, especially for background checks, birth certificates, marriage licenses, and diplomas.

Professional services ensure your translations are:

Certified
Formatted according to Portuguese legal standards
And submitted along with the original apostilled document

This step is often overlooked, and failing to provide a proper translation can cause your visa to be delayed or even rejected.

Benefits of Using Globeia's FBI Check and Apostille Services

When you're getting documents ready for a Portugal visa, every little thing counts. Globeia offers a full and trustworthy answer to FBI background checks, apostille processing, and certified translations all in one place. Here's why using Globeia's skilled services is a smart move:

One-Stop Shop

You don't have to juggle multiple companies. Globeia takes care of everything from start to end. They help you order your FBI background check, send it for apostille to the right federal or state office, and provide certified Portuguese translations when you need them.

Know-How

Globeia's staff knows the ins and outs of handling U.S. paperwork and Portuguese immigration. They keep up with the latest rules and due dates, ensuring your papers always meet the standards set by consulates and embassies.

Process That Saves Time

Getting FBI background checks and apostilles can eat up weeks or even months if you try to handle everything on your own. Globeia gives you quick options and keeps an eye on each step to make sure you don't miss any deadlines. You end up with quicker results and less worry.

Safe and Trustworthy

Globeia's user-friendly online portal keeps you in the loop about your document's status at each step. They handle your information and offer to mail documents straight to your home, immigration lawyer, or embassy.

Trusted by Thousands

Globeia has helped thousands of Americans like you deal with the paperwork hassle-free. This applies whether you plan to move for work, start a business, retire, study, or join your family.

Conclusion

Moving to Portugal should excite you, not stress you out. But the visa paperwork can turn into a big hurdle if you lack proper support.

That's why Globeia is here to help. With expert services for FBI background checks, apostilles, and certified translations, you don't need to worry about mistakes, holdups, or turndowns. Whether you're applying for a work visa, student visa, retirement residency, or any other long-stay option, Globeia makes sure your papers are complete, accurate, and ready to submit.

Let Globeia handle the paperwork, so you can concentrate on beginning your new life in Portugal with peace of mind.

Written by :

We are a background screening and document verification agency in Toronto. While we cover the Greater Toronto Area for in-person appointments, the bulk of our clientele uses our online services from different countries of the world. Globeia makes it simple and cost-effective for companies and individuals to navigate governmental red tape without breaking the bank.

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