When we become Portuguese citizens after five years, does Portugal allow its citizens to petition adult children? We have two adult daughters in the USA. If this is possible, how long and difficult is the process?
The fact that you are a Portuguese citizen only matters if your daughters are under 21 years old or are financially dependent on you and this dependence can be proven. Otherwise, they will need to apply for a residence visa as a non-EU citizen and based on other eligibility requirements (e.g.: labour, passive income, etc.).
As a Portuguese citizen, you can ask for family reunification of adult children up to 21 years old if they are economically dependent on the Portuguese citizen and live for a certain period in Portugal.
The application for a residence permit is made by appointment (or through an electronic platform - currently being implemented for holders of a residence visa) and is delivered in person with a form signed by the applicant or by his/her legal representative. It may be presented at any SEF regional directorate or delegation, which may forward it, after instruction and decision, to the regional directorate or delegation of the applicant's area of residence. Under article 6, paragraphs 1 and 2 of Law no. 37/81 of 03 October, children must meet the following cumulative requirements to obtain citizenship: Have legally resided in Portuguese territory for at least 5 years; They have sufficient knowledge of the Portuguese language; They have not been convicted, with a sentence transited in rem judicatum, of a prison sentence equal or superior to 3 years for a crime punishable under Portuguese law; They do not constitute a danger or threat to national security or defence, by their involvement in activities related to the practice of terrorism, under the terms of the respective law. For adults, it should currently allow 24 to 29 months from submission of the application for nationality until final registration of nationality.
+1-800-347-9390
