Visa Checklist Generator
Select your origin → destination → visa type → get every document you need. Track progress, download PDF. Free. No signup.
Where are you moving from?
More origins and destinations added with each batch. Select any to start.
Where are you moving to?
⚠ More destinations for this origin coming soon. Portugal is fully covered now.
Which visa are you applying for?
How to Use This Tool
Select your origin
Choose the country you are currently based in. This sets origin-specific document requirements — for example, FBI check vs ACRO certificate for background checks.
Pick your destination
Choose where you are planning to move. Each destination has different visa routes, income thresholds, and required documents.
Select your visa type
Choose the specific visa you are applying for. Each card shows the income requirement and a brief description to help you pick the right one.
Track and download
Check off documents as you gather them. Progress saves automatically in your browser. Download a PDF at any time — your current progress is captured in the download.
Why a Personalised Visa Document Checklist Matters
The most common reason a visa appointment is wasted is not an incorrect income figure or a disqualifying background — it is a missing or incorrectly authenticated document. Consular officers work from a strict checklist. Arrive without any single item and the application is typically returned, the appointment slot is lost, and you wait weeks or months for the next available date.
Generic visa document lists circulating online fall short in two important ways. First, they are not origin-specific: a US applicant needs an FBI Identity History Summary, while a UK applicant needs an ACRO Police Certificate. Using the wrong document — even an otherwise legitimate criminal record check — is grounds for rejection. Second, they go out of date: income thresholds are updated annually, apostille requirements change, and new visa types (like Portugal’s D8 in 2024 and Spain’s Digital Nomad Visa in 2023) are not reflected in older guides.
The Three Most Costly Document Mistakes
1. Background check expiry: Most consulates require your criminal background check to be dated within 90 days of your visa application date, not your appointment date. The FBI Identity History Summary typically takes 8–12 weeks. If you miscalculate, you may need to order it twice. The apostille must also be obtained after the check is issued — not before. US applicants: order your FBI check first, then apostille through the Department of State. UK applicants: ACRO Police Certificate + FCDO apostille.
2. Wrong apostille authority: For federal documents (FBI check), US applicants use the US Department of State Office of Authentications, not their state Secretary of State. This is the single most common error. State-level documents (birth certificates) use the relevant state Secretary of State.
3. Wrong photo dimensions: Portugal and Spain require 3.5×4.5cm photos. Mexico and Costa Rica accept a wider range but still specify white or light backgrounds. Photos taken at pharmacies in the US are often the US-standard 2×2 inches (5×5cm), which is too large. Get photos taken specifically for European visa applications, or crop yourself.
Which Documents Take the Longest?
Build your timeline backwards from your planned move date:
- FBI Identity History Summary — 8–12 weeks (allow 14 to be safe). Order at edo.cjis.gov.
- ACRO Police Certificate (UK) — 4–8 weeks standard, 2 weeks express. FCDO apostille adds 3–5 business days.
- NIF (Portugal) — 6–12 weeks via consulate. Getting it in person at a Finanças office takes 1 day but requires accommodation in Portugal first.
- Signed lease — Many consulates require a lease of 12+ months signed before the visa is issued, which means finding accommodation before you have confirmed your visa. The solution: a short-stay rental with a letter of intent for a longer lease, or a relocation agent who can arrange a pre-approval.
- Health insurance certificate — Typically issued within 48 hours once you purchase a policy.
Once you have your checklist, check off documents as you obtain them. The PDF download captures your current state — useful to bring to a consulate appointment to confirm which items are in hand and which are pending.
After your documents are ready, use the Proof of Funds Calculator to confirm your income meets the visa threshold, and the Cover Letter Generator to produce a personalised cover letter that ties your documents together.
Frequently Asked Questions
The required documents depend on your specific visa type. Common requirements across most long-stay residence visas include: a valid passport (6+ months validity), recent passport photos, proof of sufficient income or savings, a criminal background check (often with apostille), proof of health insurance, and proof of accommodation. This generator produces a personalised list for your specific visa — covering 7 types across Portugal, Spain, Mexico, and Costa Rica.
At least 3–6 months before your planned move date. The slowest items to obtain are: (1) FBI Identity History Summary or ACRO Police Certificate — allow 6–12 weeks; (2) NIF (Portuguese tax number) via consulate — 6–12 weeks; (3) a signed lease — requires finding accommodation months in advance. Build your timeline backwards from your planned departure date. The Relocation Timeline Planner automates this for you.
An apostille is an internationally recognised authentication stamp certifying a document is genuine, issued under the Hague Apostille Convention. For European and Latin American visas, your criminal background check requires an apostille. For Costa Rica, your birth certificate also needs one. US applicants: federal documents (FBI check) use the US Department of State; state documents (birth certificate) use the relevant state Secretary of State. UK applicants: both use the FCDO Legalisation Office.
Yes. Generate your checklist, check off items as you gather them, then click “Download PDF.” A print-ready page opens in a new tab with your current checkbox state captured. Select “Save as PDF” in your browser’s print dialog. If the pop-up is blocked, allow pop-ups for visaprep.net and try again. The PDF includes the visa name, document list (with ticked/unticked state), a progress summary, and a disclaimer to verify with the consulate.
Yes. Select your origin country in Step 1 and the checklist notes adapt accordingly. For example: the background check item for Portugal and Spain shows FBI Identity History Summary instructions for US applicants and ACRO Police Certificate instructions for UK applicants. The apostille authority (Secretary of State vs FCDO) is also specified. UK applicants will also see that Spain requires a DBS Enhanced Certificate, not the standard DBS.
Not for most European visas. Portugal D7, Portugal D8, Spain NLV, and Spain DNV applications are submitted directly to the consulate or BLS International — no lawyer required. For Costa Rica, an immigration attorney is strongly recommended because the DGME residency application is filed in-country, in person. For Mexico, an attorney is optional but can simplify the INM canje (in-country residency conversion). For complex cases, each corridor guide includes a licensed consultant referral at the bottom of the page.
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