D8/DR digital nomad residence visa does not exist on VFS

zurtle Active member

Member since 07 July 2022

zurtleActive member14 July 2023 09:52:53

So I've been trying to apply for the digital nomad residence visa known as the DR visa here in India.

(See here: https://www.vfsglobal.com/one-pager/por … index.html)

It's called the D8 in most other countries.

Now the larger problem, when I go to book an appointment via VFS, there is no visa-subcategory listed for DR(or D8). It has most of the other D visa types (D1/D2/D7) but nothing about DR.

I asked the consulate over email if DR/D8 is indeed available to apply for and they confirmed that it is indeed active and I can apply.

The consulate also says to book an appointment via VFS.

Now when I talk to VFS about it, they say "We do not have clarification from the embassy about the new DR visa category and it does not exist on the appointment system". Even though the VFS system does list DR under visa types on their website.

So bottom-line being that VFS is clueless about the DR category while the embassy has confirmed that it is indeed active. I've already tried sending VFS email screenshots from the embassy. Essentially I can't even apply because of how broken the VFS system is. Creating problems that should not even exist.

I have thought about booking an appointment under another D category and just trying to submit DR documents but I'm very sure they won't accept my documents for the DR visa if I do that.

Has anyone dealt with this before? It sounds like this problem is specific to India

Looking for general guidance on how to deal with this situation

JohnnyPT Portugal Expert

Member since 23 May 2020

JohnnyPTPortugal Expert14 July 2023 11:07:56

5096

I think you have the answer here... this information is from the beginning of June 2023.

Probably no slots available yet. Slots for July and August will be opened in the meantime and will also be announced on this website and on the Facebook page of the Portuguese Embassy in New Delhi.

https://novadeli.embaixadaportugal.mne. … vfs-global

As for it being DR and not D8, I think that has to do with VFS visa nomenclature. The digital nomad visa is classified into 2 types: temporary and residential. In the case of your country it is respectively ER and DR, probably it will also be in the others ... but not sure of that.

zurtle Active member

Member since 07 July 2022

zurtleActive member14 July 2023 11:31:34

I did read this. The problem isn't related to slots

The problem is that the DR visa isn't even listed as an option in the drop down menu when I go to book an appointment.

It is impossible to book an appointment under the DR category irrespective of the fact if slots are available or not.

If there were no slots I would still be able to select the category and then it would show a prompt saying no slots are available. Here the category does not exist.

JohnnyPT Portugal Expert

Member since 23 May 2020

JohnnyPTPortugal Expert14 July 2023 11:53:54

5096

Try a complaint path...

Pt Foreign Affairs

https://portaldiplomatico.mne.gov.pt/en … complaints

VFS

https://www.vfsglobal.com/en/individuals/contact.html

zurtle Active member

Member since 07 July 2022

zurtleActive member14 July 2023 12:11:21

@JohnnyPT

Thank you.

I will try the complaint path right away

Nia Queiroz Contributor

Member since 07 March 2023

Nia QueirozContributor14 July 2023 14:35:28

151

@zurtle It's the last option on the drop down menu. It's there. DR.

zurtle Active member

Member since 07 July 2022

zurtleActive member15 July 2023 16:00:16

@Nia Queiroz It's there on the visa information page on the VFS website but the option isn't there in the appointment system(After you login and go to book an appointment),

zurtle Active member

Member since 07 July 2022

zurtleActive member17 July 2023 20:14:31

Quick Update:

I called VFS staff constantly every day and sent a lot of emails to the Embassy.

Today the VFS site went down for maintenance for a long time and when it finally came back up they had added the DR visa option.

I managed to get an appointment!

JohnnyPT Portugal Expert

Member since 23 May 2020

JohnnyPTPortugal Expert17 July 2023 23:04:31

5096

Probably thanks to your complaint ?.. VFS must have put up new website release, including this new parameter in a combo box ...

zurtle Active member

Member since 07 July 2022

zurtleActive member17 July 2023 23:19:08

#10

@JohnnyPT Maybe the complaint worked. Not sure.

They added a new "long term" category and inside that they had D2/D3/D7/DR listed.

Before it only used to be D2/D3/D7.

I'm very relieved and now working on documentation.

niteshshewani11 New member

Member since 08 August 2023

niteshshewani11New member08 August 2023 15:10:58

#11

So DR and D8 are same ? I am also planning to apply but i didnt. find an option for D8 on VFS.

With DR - Residency visa, we can get a 2 year visa which will be renewable, and eventually be able to apply for a passport. Is this correct ?

JohnnyPT Portugal Expert

Member since 23 May 2020

JohnnyPTPortugal Expert08 August 2023 16:44:33

#12

5096

You get a residence permit, you don't apply for a passport....

niteshshewani11 New member

Member since 08 August 2023

niteshshewani11New member08 August 2023 16:51:16

#13

how long of the permit we get ? And is that renewable ?

JohnnyPT Portugal Expert

Member since 23 May 2020

JohnnyPTPortugal Expert08 August 2023 17:44:36

#14

5096

https://www.expat.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=1006006

niteshshewani11 New member

Member since 08 August 2023

niteshshewani11New member10 August 2023 13:27:42

#15

Thanks for all the info. So if we follow the minimum stay requirements for D8/DR Visa, staying for 16 months in 2 years will make us tax residents.

Is there a way to not be a tax resident ? or if we become tax residents, do we have to pay tax on foreign earned income ?

many articles and videos say different things.

JohnnyPT Portugal Expert

Member since 23 May 2020

JohnnyPTPortugal Expert10 August 2023 16:28:27

#16

5096

You become a tax resident if you reside for 6 months + 1 day. You can activate the protocol to avoid double taxation, so that you only pay taxes in one country.

https://eportugal.gov.pt/en/cidadaos-eu … m-portugal

Read "Conventions to avoid double taxation"

Immigration and visa assistance

Comprehensive support with Portugal visa applications and immigration procedures.

Nia Queiroz Contributor

Member since 07 March 2023

Nia QueirozContributor11 August 2023 12:05:56

#17

151

@niteshshewani11 all resident visas require that you become a tax resident. There is no distinction. And yes, you will have to pay taxes on all your income.