As a streamer, your situation still fits within the scope of Portugal's D8 Visa for digital nomads, but since you don’t have traditional contracts or letters of engagement from clients, you'll need to provide alternative forms of documentation that demonstrate your work, income, and stability as a digital content creator. Here's how you can approach your D8 Visa application as a streamer:
1. Proof of Employment as a Streamer
Even without formal contracts, there are other ways to show that you are actively working and earning income as a streamer:
- Streaming Platform Evidence:
- Provide proof of your streaming activity on platforms like Twitch, YouTube, or any other service you use. You can submit:
- Screenshots of your profile showing your account, follower count, and streams.
- Links to your streaming channel(s) and videos.
- A summary of your streaming schedule and how long you've been active.
- Monetization Proof:
- Include evidence of how you monetize your streams. This could be:
- Statements from the platform showing income (e.g., from Twitch payouts, YouTube AdSense revenue, or Super Chats).
- Records of donations, tips, or subscriptions from your audience (e.g., from Patreon or other third-party support platforms).
- Sponsorship or affiliate marketing payments, if applicable.
- Any other revenue streams you generate through your content (e.g., merchandise sales, brand deals).
- Portfolio of Work:
- Create a portfolio that showcases the content you produce. This could be a document or presentation that highlights:
- Key achievements as a streamer (e.g., major collaborations, milestones such as reaching a certain number of followers or subscribers).
- Details on your target audience and engagement levels (viewer counts, follower growth, etc.).
2. Proof of Income
You'll need to demonstrate that your streaming income meets the minimum financial requirements for the D8 visa, which is around €3,040 per month (as of 2023). Since you don’t have an employer or formal contract, you can provide:
- Bank Statements:
- Show bank statements for the last six months that clearly indicate your income from streaming platforms. Highlight the deposits made by streaming services, Patreon, or other monetization sources.
- Platform Income Statements:
- Obtain income summaries from platforms like Twitch, YouTube, or Patreon. These can typically be found in your account settings or payment history sections.
- Monthly or quarterly earnings reports (as available) to show a stable income stream.
- Tax Returns:
- If possible, include tax filings that show your reported income from streaming, especially if you’ve been doing this work for a while and have filed taxes as a self-employed individual.
3. Self-Employment Declaration
Since you don't have formal contracts or an employer, you may need to include a
self-declaration explaining your role as a digital nomad streamer. This letter can be addressed to the Portuguese Consulate and should include:
- An overview of your career as a streamer, including details about when you started, the platforms you use, and your income sources.
- A detailed description of how your streaming work is independent, flexible, and does not require you to be in any fixed location (remote nature of your work).
- A commitment that you intend to continue working as a streamer while residing in Portugal and that your income is derived from outside of Portugal.
4. Other Required Documents
Beyond proving your income and work, you'll still need to gather the standard documentation required for the D8 visa:
- Health Insurance: Proof of comprehensive health insurance coverage in Portugal.
- Accommodation Proof: A rental contract, hotel booking, or letter from someone hosting you.
- Criminal Background Check: A criminal record check from your home country or countries where you’ve resided in the past year.
- Passport: Your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond your intended stay.
- Visa Application Form: Complete the official visa application form.
- Photos: Two passport-sized photos, as required by the consulate.
5. Submit Your Application
- Once all your documents are ready, submit your visa application at the Portuguese consulate or embassy in your home country. Make sure to have all your documents translated into Portuguese or English if needed and notarized if required.
6. Final Steps in Portugal
- After arriving in Portugal with your visa, you’ll need to apply for a residence permit at SEF (Serviço de Estrangeiros e Fronteiras). You’ll be able to stay for one year, with the possibility of renewal.
Conclusion
Even without traditional contracts or formal employment, your work as a streamer fits the requirements of the D8 Visa as long as you can prove your self-employment, remote work, and financial stability. Your streaming platform activity, monetization records, and income statements will serve as sufficient proof to support your application.
Let me know if you need help drafting any of these documents or have further questions!