After applying as a family for a Digital Nomad Visa to Portugal, Ashlee Johnson, her husband, Imran Aziz and her mother, Jacqueline Noaks, received a denial notification. The family was heartbroken and had little hope of ever being able to fulfil their plan to immigrate to Portugal. However, after receiving guidance on how to appeal their case, their visas were granted.

What Happens If You Get A Portugal Visa Denial?

Visa denials can happen for a plethora of reasons. In Ashlee's case, the Portuguese authorities stated three reasons: they did not have a 1-year renewable lease in place in Portugal, they did not deposit sufficient money into the Portuguese bank account, and her husband did not have enough proof that he was a legal resident of the USA.

On appeal, the case manager made it clear that, first, they were unable to obtain the one-year lease because Ashlee's mother, Jacqueline, had a disability and therefore needed to be in Portugal to select an apartment that was accessible for people with disabilities. Secondly, specifically for the Digital Nomad Visa, the need to deposit a certain amount in a Portuguese bank account is not mandatory, and Ashlee earned enough money to support her family. Thirdly, Imran had a valid green card and was legal in the USA.

Additional reasons for denied visas may include crimes committed by applicants, a lack of a monthly passive income when applying for the D7 passive income visa, and rental contracts that do not meet the criteria for a resident visa. However, appealing the denial proves to be successful in a significant number of cases. Even when dealing with crimes that appear in the FBI criminal record check, factors such as how long ago the incident occurred, whether the applicant has made amends to the community, and the nature of the crime committed can make it possible to appeal.

A Visa Denial Doesn’t Mean You Have To Give Up

Despite the challenges applicants can face and the complexities of appeals, for Ashlee and her family, the decision to pursue life in Portugal was rooted in a long-held personal dream rather than a last-minute choice. Relocating to Portugal after retirement had been a goal for Ashlee, even before marriage. Many aspects of the country attracted her, like the beautiful landscape and peaceful atmosphere, among others. What prompted the family to prioritize the move was the growing sense of uncertainty following changes in U.S. immigration policies.

"Many of the policies felt far too close to home, especially with my husband being an immigrant to the United States. While we are grateful for the status the U.S. government graciously granted my husband, we couldn't ignore the possibility that future policy changes might put us at risk of long-term separation." – Ashlee Johnson

When they finally decided to proceed with the plan and begin the immigration process to Portugal, they realized how overwhelming the process was. Ashlee is an experienced entrepreneur who has faced numerous obstacles in her life; however, she recognized that immigrating to another country presented a whole new set of challenges. Not only must the visa applicant be aware of Portugal's regulations and policies, but it is also essential for them to understand that they are dealing with a completely different culture in all aspects. For these reasons, Ashlee began her search for an immigration company.

How Ashlee Decided To Get Viv Europe’s Help

It's a daunting task to find a trustworthy company to assist with something as life-changing as immigration. Over the past year or so, there has been a surge in immigration companies that assist with moving to Portugal. Ashlee's approach to choosing the right organization for her family was to take advantage of the free introductory calls that many companies offer.

"I had my introductory call with Viv Europe and immediately felt heard, understood, and most importantly, well-guided. Before speaking with them, I consulted with other organizations, which I won't name, who frankly didn't please me. My husband, mother, and I had a long conversation with each other. By the end of our talk, we felt completely confident that Viv Europe was the company that could help us achieve our goal." – Ashlee Johnson

Prior to starting the Digital Nomad visa process with Viv Europe, Ashlee and her family couldn't help but feel a bit anxious. With so much information out there, they had heard horror stories of several steps going wrong. However, having a case manager to assist with obtaining the documents and managing the process made it straightforward and stress-free. Everything was going smoothly until they heard back from the Portuguese authorities, who intended to deny their visas. Her husband, Imran, remained calm and encouraged Ashlee to reach out to their case manager, Matheus, for guidance.

"I was not confident at all. But Matheus and the Viv Europe family never allowed me to give up. They supported me every step of the way, helping me translate a letter to the Portuguese Embassy and guiding me through the supporting documents I needed. Their dedication truly helped turn my case around and led to my approval." – Ashlee Johnson

While waiting for the decision on whether the appeal had been accepted, Ashlee and her family spent the next month on edge. Then, one morning, Imran stepped outside and found a FedEx package. The appeal had been successful, and their visas had been approved! They couldn't believe their move to Portugal was going to happen after all. They were ecstatic and grateful.

Now in Portugal, Ashlee's family has several plans. Her mom, Jacqueline, a retired schoolteacher, wishes for some much-deserved rest.

"Nothing but sunny days and Portugal's beautiful beaches for me."

Imran will use Portugal's lovely landscape as inspiration to write his second novel. His life has come full circle after retiring from his work as a special forces police officer in Bahrain. His first book, "Of Desire and Deception," is available on Amazon.

As for Ashlee, she still owns a small marketing business, Prestige-Digital: Digital Marketing Services, which she intends to expand globally. Her other plan is to join a Real Estate agency in Portugal since she was a realtor in the US as well. Her goal is "to support families who see Portugal as their long-term home, especially those who genuinely respect the country's unique economic landscape". With dedication, study, and a commitment to learning Portuguese, she also hopes to make meaningful contributions to the local market and communities.

Ashlee's advice for people going through this process is that it should not be taken lightly. She believes that some people may be able to research and navigate this process on their own; however, for her, having the proper guidance and support made a tremendous difference.


This article is in collaboration with Viv Europe, a company founded by immigrants to share the pain of people who are determined to live a better life in Portugal. Founded in 2020, they’ve helped 1,500+ people get visas, find real estate, and file their taxes. If you’d like to get in touch, book a free consultation now!