TERMS AND CONDITIONS
(Residency-Visa Assistance Services for Portugal)
Introduction: These Terms and Conditions (this "Agreement") govern the provision of residency-visa assistance services ("Services") for Portugal by GetFastVisa (the "Support Provider") to the person or entity purchasing such Services (the "Client"). By paying the Service Fee, the Client accepts and agrees to be bound by this Agreement.
Not a Law Firm / No Legal Services
GetFastVisa (the Support Provider) is not a law firm. We do not offer legal services or legal advice. Our Services are limited to administrative and procedural support. If you require legal advice or legal representation, you should consult a qualified attorney.
Definitions
| # | Term | Definition |
|---|---|---|
| 1.1 | Agreement | This document, together with all schedules, annexes, and written amendments executed by the Parties. |
| 1.2 | Support Provider or GetFastVisa | The individual or entity contracting with the Client hereunder. |
| 1.3 | Client | The natural or legal person purchasing the Services. |
| 1.4 | Parties | Collectively, the Support Provider and the Client. |
| 1.5 | Services | The Residency-Visa Assistance Services described in Section 2. |
| 1.6 | Business Day | Any day other than Saturday, Sunday, or a public holiday in mainland Portugal (12:00 a.m. – 11:59 p.m. local time). |
| 1.7 | Visa Application | The complete set of forms, documents, fees, and steps submitted to a Portuguese consulate or outsourcing center for a residency visa. |
| 1.8 | Residency Permit | The authorization issued by Portuguese immigration authorities (AIMA) permitting residence in Portugal. |
| 1.9 | Service Fee | The amount payable pursuant to Section 3. |
| 1.10 | VAT | Value-added tax chargeable on the Service Fee under Portuguese law. |
| 1.11 | Third-Party Fees | Charges levied by consulates, AIMA, VFS Global, couriers, sworn translators, and other third parties that are not included in the Service Fee. |
| 1.12 | Appointment | Any booking for document submission or interview—whether with a Consulate/VFS Global ("Visa Appointment") or with AIMA ("AIMA Appointment"). |
| 1.13 | Initial Verification | The Support Provider's preliminary review of the Client's eligibility and risk factors. |
| 1.14 | Force Majeure Event | An event beyond a Party's reasonable control, including, without limitation, strikes, pandemics, governmental IT outages, natural disasters, and sudden legal changes. |
| 1.15 | Criminal Record Certificate | Any official document issued by a governmental authority attesting to the criminal history (or absence thereof) of the Client, including but not limited to an FBI Identity History Summary Check (United States), police clearance certificate, or equivalent background-check document from any jurisdiction, as required by Portuguese consular or immigration authorities for the Visa Application. |
| 1.16 | Schengen Information System (SIS) | The EU-wide information system used by Schengen Area Member States to share alerts on persons and objects, including alerts for refusal of entry or stay (Article 24 alerts). A SIS alert against the Client may constitute grounds for visa denial under Portuguese and Schengen law. |
| 1.17 | MNE Hierarchical Appeal | An administrative appeal lodged with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Portugal (Ministério dos Negócios Estrangeiros, "MNE") as the hierarchical superior authority, contesting a visa denial issued by a Portuguese consulate. |
| 1.18 | Reclamação | A first-level administrative complaint (or request for reconsideration) filed under Portuguese administrative law with the Portuguese consulate (or VFS Global, as applicable) that issued the denial of the Visa Application, typically submitted before any MNE Hierarchical Appeal. |
Scope of Services
- Guidance on the appropriate residency-visa category;
- Checklist, preparation, and review of required documents;
- Completion of standard consular and AIMA forms;
- Scheduling one Visa Appointment (each additional reschedule subject to a fee). If the Client declines two (2) proposed Appointment dates, a rescheduling fee shall apply to each subsequent date proposal;
- Pre-appointment document verification;
- Drafting written replies to Consulate or VFS Global inquiries;
- Monitoring the Visa Application until the final decision;
- In the event of a Visa Application denial, preparation and submission of one (1) Reclamação (as defined in Section 1.18) to the Portuguese consulate or VFS Global, at no additional charge; and
- Guidance on post-arrival procedures before AIMA.
If the Client elects to decline document review or requests only a portion of the Services, these Terms and Conditions still apply in full to the engagement and to any Services actually provided, unless the Parties agree otherwise in writing. Any timelines discussed are estimates only; appointment availability and timing are controlled by third parties and are not guaranteed.
Fees and Payment Terms
| Applicant Type | Amount (€)* |
|---|---|
| Each adult applicant | 1,800.00 |
| Dependent under 18 years | 500.00 |
* Plus VAT where applicable. The full Service Fee shall be paid upon execution of this Agreement unless the Parties agree otherwise in writing.
Refund Policy
Full Refund
The Support Provider shall refund the entire Service Fee if:
- The Support Provider fails to provide adequate guidance, thereby preventing issuance of the Residency Permit; or
- The Visa Application is denied solely for reasons beyond the Client's control, including, without limitation:
- A unilateral consular decision unrelated to information supplied by the Client;
- A change in law or regulation taking effect only after complete submission, leaving no viable appeal; or
- A government IT shutdown that renders adjudication impossible.
Qualifying refunds shall be issued within fifteen (15) Business Days using the original payment method.
No Refund
No refund shall be due where the denial results from any act or omission of the Client, including, without limitation, missed Appointments, late submission of documents, the provision of false or incomplete information, or refusal to execute required forms. Additionally, no refund shall be provided for change of mind, Client dissatisfaction with processing timelines, delays in securing Appointments due to limited availability at consular facilities, or extended processing times by governmental authorities, as such circumstances are beyond the Support Provider's control and do not constitute failure to deliver the contracted Services.
Furthermore, any additional services contracted separately from the core visa assistance services described in Section 2, including but not limited to white-glove concierge services, relocation assistance, real estate agent services, bank account opening assistance, or other auxiliary services, are expressly non-refundable in the event of visa denial. These supplementary services are independent of the visa application outcome and their fees remain due regardless of the final visa decision.
Non-Compliant Criminal Record Certificate: No refund shall be due where the Client's Criminal Record Certificate (as defined in Section 1.15) reveals criminal convictions, pending charges, arrest records, or any other entries that may constitute grounds for visa denial under Portuguese immigration law or consular policy. If the Client is aware of, or becomes aware of, a non-compliant Criminal Record Certificate and nevertheless elects to proceed with the Visa Application, the Client expressly and irrevocably waives any and all rights to a refund of the Service Fee. This waiver applies regardless of the ultimate reason for denial and regardless of whether the non-compliant Criminal Record Certificate was the sole or contributing cause of the denial. By proceeding, the Client acknowledges having been informed of this risk and accepts full financial responsibility.
Schengen Information System Flag — Absolute Non-Refund: Where, at any time — whether before, during, or after entering into this Agreement — the Client is, has been, or becomes the subject of a Schengen Information System alert or flag of any kind (as defined in Section 1.16), including, without limitation, an Article 24 alert for refusal of entry or stay, an entry ban issued by any Schengen Member State, or any other adverse Schengen Information System record, the Service Fee shall be non-refundable in its entirety. This non-refund applies regardless of (i) when the Schengen Information System flag arose, including where the flag pre-existed this Agreement, (ii) when the Schengen Information System flag was discovered or became known to either Party, (iii) whether the Client knew of, or disclosed, the Schengen Information System flag to the Support Provider at any point, and (iv) whether the Schengen Information System flag was the explicit, direct, contributing, or any cause of the visa denial. The mere existence of a Schengen Information System flag against the Client — past, present, or future relative to this Agreement — extinguishes any and all rights to a refund of the Service Fee.
Client Conduct — Absolute Non-Refund: Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, and regardless of whether the conduct described below was the explicit, direct, contributing, or any cause of the visa denial, the Service Fee shall be non-refundable in its entirety where the Client, at any time during the engagement or the Visa Application process: (i) omits, withholds, or fails to disclose any material information requested by, or relevant to, the Support Provider's work, including, without limitation, prior visa refusals, entry bans, deportation orders, criminal history, immigration history in any jurisdiction, or any Schengen Information System restriction; (ii) acts contrary to, or fails to follow, any written recommendation, instruction, or advice issued by the Support Provider in connection with the Visa Application; (iii) submits, presents, or discloses any document, form, declaration, statement, or other material to the Portuguese consulate, VFS Global, AIMA, or any other authority without first consulting the Support Provider, or substitutes, modifies, adds to, or removes any document from the Visa Application file without the Support Provider's prior written approval; or (iv) submits, presents, or discloses any document, form, declaration, statement, or other material to the Portuguese consulate, VFS Global, AIMA, or any other authority after the Support Provider has recommended in writing that such material not be submitted, presented, or disclosed. The mere occurrence of any conduct described in (i) through (iv) above extinguishes any and all rights to a refund of the Service Fee, regardless of whether such conduct was the explicit, direct, contributing, or any cause of the visa denial, and regardless of whether the Visa Application would (or did) ultimately succeed or fail.
Appointment Booking: Once the Support Provider has secured a formal Visa Appointment at VFS Global or a Consulate on behalf of the Client, no refund of the Service Fee shall be payable, regardless of whether the Client is able to attend on the scheduled date. Any dates or date ranges provided by the Client regarding availability are indicative only and do not constitute a guarantee that an Appointment will fall on those specific dates. The Support Provider books Appointments based on actual slot availability, which is controlled by third parties.
Exception
If the Client complies with all instructions and the denial is caused by erroneous advice from the Support Provider, Section 4.1 shall apply.
Known-Risk Waiver
If, during the Initial Verification or at any subsequent stage, the Support Provider identifies a circumstance likely to result in denial and notifies the Client in writing, and the Client elects to proceed at the Client's own risk, no refund shall be payable if the Visa Application is subsequently denied.
Such circumstances include, but are not limited to, a non-compliant Criminal Record Certificate (e.g., an FBI Identity History Summary Check, police clearance certificate, or equivalent document from any jurisdiction) that reveals criminal convictions, pending charges, arrest records, or other adverse entries that may be grounds for visa denial under Portuguese immigration law. In such cases, by electing to proceed, the Client expressly and irrevocably waives any right to a refund of the Service Fee, regardless of the final outcome of the Visa Application.
The Support Provider shall document this notification and the Client's decision to proceed in writing. The Client's continued engagement with the Services after receiving such notification shall constitute acceptance of this waiver.
Client Responsibilities
- Provide all requested documents and information within thirty (30) calendar days of contracting and promptly supply any additional items later required by the authorities;
- Provide complete, accurate, and up-to-date information at all times, withholding nothing material to the Visa Application, including any prior visa refusals, entry bans, deportation orders, criminal history, immigration history in any jurisdiction, or Schengen Information System restrictions;
- Follow the Support Provider's written recommendations, instructions, and advice in connection with the Visa Application;
- Not submit, present, or disclose any document, form, declaration, statement, or other material to the Portuguese consulate, VFS Global, AIMA, or any other authority without first consulting the Support Provider; not substitute, modify, add to, or remove any document from the Visa Application file without the Support Provider's prior written approval; and refrain from submitting any material that the Support Provider has recommended in writing not be submitted;
- Pay all official and Third-Party Fees when due;
- Respond promptly to the Support Provider's communications and instructions; and
- Acknowledge that missed deadlines, subsequent legal changes that bar continuation, or any breach of the obligations in this Section create no right to a refund.
Exclusions (Costs Borne by Client)
The Client shall bear all Third-Party Fees, including, without limitation, consular and AIMA fees (visa and residency card), VFS Global service charges, postal or courier expenses, apostilles, legalizations, and sworn translations.
Exclusions (Services)
Requests for NIF, NISS, bank-account opening, tax consulting, company formation, sworn translations, notarization, personal accompaniment, litigation, MNE Hierarchical Appeals, or any task outside Section 2 shall require a separate agreement.
Post-Denial Recourse: Reclamação and MNE Hierarchical Appeal
Reclamação (included). In the event of a Visa Application denial, the Support Provider shall, as part of the Services and at no additional charge, prepare and submit one (1) Reclamação (as defined in Section 1.18) on behalf of the Client to the Portuguese consulate or VFS Global that issued the denial.
Client's election after the Reclamação. If, following the outcome of the Reclamação, the Visa Application remains denied, the Client may, at the Client's sole election, either:
- (a) Request a refund of the Service Fee, subject to and only to the extent the Client is eligible under the Refund Policy in Section 4 (i.e., none of the no-refund circumstances set out therein apply to the Visa Application); or
- (b) Instruct the Support Provider in writing to prepare and submit an MNE Hierarchical Appeal (as defined in Section 1.17). The MNE Hierarchical Appeal is not included in the Services or the Service Fee. Upon receipt of the Client's written instruction to proceed under this option (b), the Support Provider shall assess the feasibility of the appeal and provide a separate written quotation. Any engagement to prepare and submit an MNE Hierarchical Appeal shall be governed by a separate written agreement and shall be subject to a separate fee, payable in advance.
Mutually exclusive election. Options (a) and (b) are mutually exclusive. By electing to proceed with the MNE Hierarchical Appeal under option (b), the Client irrevocably waives any right to a refund of the Service Fee that may otherwise have been due under the Refund Policy in Section 4 in respect of the same Visa Application.
No outcome guarantee. The Support Provider makes no guarantee — express or implied — as to the outcome of any Reclamação or MNE Hierarchical Appeal. All decisions on the Reclamação and the MNE Hierarchical Appeal rest exclusively with the Portuguese consulate (or VFS Global) and the MNE, respectively.
Nature of the Services
The Services constitute procedural assistance only and are not legal services. The Support Provider is not a law firm and does not provide legal services or legal advice. The Support Provider makes no guarantee—express or implied—of visa issuance, residency-permit approval, or processing time. All decisions rest exclusively with governmental authorities.
Indicative Timeline (Non-Binding)
| Step | Typical Term* |
|---|---|
| Visa Appointment | ≈ 60 days (up to 90 days if slots scarce) |
| Consulate decision | Up to 60 days |
| Visa affixing | 1 – 5 days |
| Entry into Portugal | Within 120-day visa validity |
| AIMA Appointment | Usually near visa-expiration date |
| Residence-card issuance | Up to 90 days |
* Delays caused by public authorities are beyond the Support Provider's control.
Term and Duration
The Client may commence the Services at any time within twelve (12) months of payment. This Agreement shall terminate automatically twelve (12) months after acceptance unless extended by written agreement of the Parties.
Limitation of Liability
The Support Provider's total liability, whether in contract, tort, or otherwise, shall be limited to the Service Fee actually paid. The Support Provider shall not be liable for indirect or consequential losses, or for delays caused by third parties or Force Majeure Events.
Force Majeure
Deadlines shall be suspended for the duration of any Force Majeure Event. Neither Party shall be liable for delay or non-performance resulting therefrom.
Termination
By Client. The Client may terminate this Agreement at any time by written notice; all amounts already paid are non-refundable.
By Support Provider. The Support Provider may terminate for material breach or non-cooperation; only the prorated portion of fees for unperformed work shall be refunded.
Communications
Notices shall be in writing and deemed received when sent by e-mail to the addresses on record, unless a delivery-failure notification is received. The Support Provider's official e-mail address for the purposes of this Agreement is support@getfastvisa.com.
For any questions about these Terms and Conditions, the Services, or any ongoing engagement, the Client may contact the Support Provider at support@getfastvisa.com.
Governing Law and Jurisdiction
This Agreement shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of Portugal. Before commencing any legal or administrative action, a Party shall provide written notice to the other and attempt an amicable resolution for thirty (30) days. Any unresolved dispute shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of Lisbon.