The entire Portuguese passport process guide for newbies

THE COMPLETE PORTUGUESE PASSPORT PROCESS

A detailed explanation of what it takes to acquire the Portuguese passport 

The Portuguese Passport

To be honest, this process is quite tedious. It takes more than a year to get through the complete process, even after expediting it through influence. Regardless, it is always an advantage to know about the complete process so that you know what you're doing. The process is very tardy in the beginning and depends from agent to agent to get your birth registered with the Portugal consulate. That document is known as the "Ascento de Nascimento" or simply birth certificate when translated.

When you procure this document, it means your first step towards achieving your Portuguese citizenship is completed. Once you are registered with the Portugal consulate and get your papers handed over to you, the next step is to apply for the Bilhete de Identidade (BI card) or citizen card as it is otherwise called. Please note that it is mandatory to get the BI card even if you do not wish to continue with your emigration. Consider the BI card as the Aadhar card in India. A person has to register for Aadhar irrespective of their age after birth. The BI card has the same principle.

To get your BI card, you will have to seek an appointment with the closest Portuguese consulate in your region. The citizens of Goa can visit the Portugal consulate in Panjim, near the Bishops Palace. The appointment needs to be taken online via the Portugal Consulate Goa website. You shall get called in a month's time time to apply for your identity card.

Documents needed: The original Ascento de Nascimento and its copies, photographs with white background along with the photocopy of the email confirming your appointment and cash (in amounts of Rs.6000- the rates depend on your age and marital status). Please verify the list of documents with the Portugal Consulate website so that you do not miss out on anything.

Please note you are not allowed to carry mobile phones or any electronic equipment inside the premise. The security at the gate will frisk you and prohibit your entry inside the consulate if you're found possessing any such materials. Ergo, Kindly take someone along with you - he might be very useful to you if you're short of any photocopies or to keep your phone and other valuable belongings out.

This will be your first of the numerous more visits to make at the consulate. Please ensure that you stand in the correct queue so that you do not fall behind. Once you're inside the Consulate, you will be presented tokens and given entry on first come first serve basis. Also, the most important thing to remember is that you will be asked at the time of your consultation if you want an express or normal service. By this, I mean you can either opt for getting your BI card within 2 weeks or 4 weeks time as they say it. It might not look much of time until you are in the later stages. Hence, I would advise you to go for the express service since you will receive your card within 2-3 weeks maximum. What usually happens after you choose a normal service is that they give you a specific date for collection which usually covers up more than 4 weeks time. The express service costs a tad more but it's going to help you in the long run.

According to your selection of the type of service, you will have to visit the consulate again for collection following which you can apply for the Portuguese passport appointment on the same date. You should get the appointment email in a months time and this is where the express service makes all the difference.

Again, you are requested to carry the email photocopy stating your appointment date confirmation for security purpose.

Documents needed: BI card, cash amounting to around Rs.5000 to be on the safe end. Again, please confirm the documents needed through the official Portuguese Consulate site.

You should be getting your passport in hand by the end of the third week. After that, it gets all complicated when you need to register for the FRRO. You need to first cancel your Indian passport at the Passport Seva office. Then, attach this surrender certificate photocopy to the applications of ration card and election card cancellations along with the notarized Portuguese passport copy for deleting your name from the electoral roll and ration card. I would advise you to seek help from the experts for help with the applications. They will assist you with the affidavits and other legal processes that are otherwise tedious. The entire FRRO process takes around one and a half month, or otherwise almost a month- if worked out through reference. 

You may apply for PCC from your local police station in the meanwhile for job prospect. For any other query, you may reach out to me through the comments section. Also, if you found this informative, please share it among your friends and loved ones. 

Hope this helped you. Mog Asu! 

If you have liked this post, I would recommend you to also check out my post on HOW TO GET GIRLS IN GOA.