FBI background check for Portugal: visas, AIMA residence permits and citizenship

Last reviewed: 2026-11-04

If you have lived in the United States and are moving to Portugal, you will usually need a US criminal record certificate: the FBI background check (officially, the Identity History Summary). Many people need one more than once along the way. Here is when, and how to plan for each one.

Who needs one

Portuguese residence visas, such as the D7 (passive income), the D8 (digital nomad), the D2 (entrepreneur) and investment residence (golden visa), generally ask for a criminal record certificate from your country of nationality and from the countries you have lived in. For the US, that certificate is the FBI background check.

The exact list of documents depends on the visa and on the consulate or AIMA office handling your case, so always check their current list.

Why you may need it more than once

There is no fixed number of checks: it depends on your visa, how long AIMA takes and whether you apply for citizenship. The rules changed several times in 2025 and 2026, so check the current requirements with AIMA, your consulate or your lawyer.

• The visa: the Portuguese consulate or VFS Global asks for it with your visa application.
• The residence permit: at your AIMA appointment in Portugal you may be asked for a criminal record certificate again. Certificates are usually accepted for about 3 months only, so if months have passed since your visa, a new FBI check is often needed.
• Renewals: AIMA checks the Portuguese criminal record itself. Whether it also asks for a new certificate from abroad depends on your situation, for example how long you have lived outside Portugal.
• Citizenship: an application for Portuguese nationality asks for criminal record certificates from the countries you have lived in, which for the US means another FBI check.

The steps

1. Fingerprints: a technician takes your fingerprints to the FBI standard at one of our offices. You do not need to travel to the US.
2. FBI result: your fingerprints are sent electronically and the result usually arrives within 24–48 hours.
3. Apostille: the result gets a Hague apostille, the certificate that lets Portuguese authorities accept a US document.
4. Translation: Portuguese authorities often ask for a translation into Portuguese. We provide certified translations; check with the office receiving your documents which kind it accepts.

Timing

Many Portuguese offices only accept a certificate issued within the last 3 months. Request your FBI check close to your appointment, not months ahead. If your AIMA appointment is moved, check whether your certificate will still be recent enough on the new date.

Questions

Do I really need fingerprints three times for Portugal?

Not always. Many people need an FBI check for the visa, often again for the AIMA appointment if the first one is too old, and again for citizenship. Each check needs a new set of fingerprints, so plan each one close to the date you need it.

Are the fingerprints AIMA takes the same thing?

No. At your AIMA appointment your fingerprints and photo are taken for your residence card. That is not a background check and does not replace the FBI certificate.

Can my lawyer receive the documents?

Yes. We can deliver the finished documents to you or directly to your lawyer.

General information, not legal advice. Requirements change: always check the current list of the office handling your application.