International legal practice / Porto and online
Immigration, family, employment, business and more. Legal support for clients of any country and nationality, in Porto and online.
02Manifesto
A legal matter is almost always a life decision. Bureaucracy should not define it. That is why every case is handled with time to listen, care in every document and someone to answer when you need to know where things stand.
Our mission
Connecting people and families to new opportunities through legal solutions that are secure, people-centred and efficient.
- 09practice areas
- 05stages of support
- 14years or more in legal practice
03How we support you
Five stages, one by one.
- 01
Initial conversation
We listen to your case before opening any application. We establish your goal, who is coming with you and which legal route makes sense.
- 02
Documentation
A list tailored to your case. We check certificates, translations and apostilles before proceeding.
- 03
Submitting the application
The application is organised for the competent authority, with a defined strategy and each step recorded.
- 04
Ongoing support
We respond to notifications and requests for information, keeping the client informed of the stage the process has reached.
- 05
Decision
We read the decision together and prepare what comes next: the permit, renewal, appeal or next step.
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04Practice areas
Nine areas. A seal for each one.
KS01
Immigration law
The firm's main area: visas, citizenship, family reunification, residence and citizenship rights, for people from any country.
What we handle- Visas
- Citizenship
- Residence
KS02
Criminal law
Legal support in criminal proceedings: understanding the stage reached, what is expected of you and the next steps.
What we handle- Defence
- Complaints and reporting offences
- Appeals
KS03
Civil law
Succession and inheritance, division of assets, recognition of foreign judgments, unmarried partnerships and civil liability.
What we handle- Succession and inheritance
- Division of assets
- Foreign judgments
KS04
Employment law
Contracts and termination, compensation, bullying and workplace harassment, and workplace accidents, for employees and employers.
What we handle- Contracts and termination
- Compensation
- Workplace harassment
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Family law
Divorce, child custody and contact, maintenance, unmarried partnerships and regularising family situations.
What we handle- Divorce
- Children
- Maintenance
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Administrative litigation
Appeals, actions seeking an order to act, administrative challenges, AIMA proceedings and actions against the State.
What we handle- Appeals
- Orders to act
- AIMA proceedings
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Business legal services
Company formation, trade mark registration and intellectual property, corporate structuring and putting business affairs in order.
What we handle- Company formation
- Trade marks
- Corporate structure
KS08
Portuguese tax number (NIF) applications
The tax number that opens doors in Portugal: support with NIF applications, in Portugal or while still abroad.
What we handle- NIF application
- From abroad
- Ongoing support
KS09
Recognition of degrees and diplomas
Support with applications to recognise diplomas and academic degrees obtained abroad, for use in Portugal.
What we handle- Degrees and diplomas
- Documents and translations
- Ongoing support
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Not sure which is your area?
The first conversation helps establish this.
Speak to Kelly
05Practice areas
Choose the subject, go straight to the area.
- Immigration lawThe firm's main area: visas, citizenship, family reunification, residence and citizenship rights, for people from any country.View practice area
- Criminal lawLegal support in criminal proceedings: understanding the stage reached, what is expected of you and the next steps.View practice area
- Civil lawSuccession and inheritance, division of assets, recognition of foreign judgments, unmarried partnerships and civil liability.View practice area
- Employment lawContracts and termination, compensation, bullying and workplace harassment, and workplace accidents, for employees and employers.View practice area
- Family lawDivorce, child custody and contact, maintenance, unmarried partnerships and regularising family situations.View practice area
- Administrative litigationAppeals, actions seeking an order to act, administrative challenges, AIMA proceedings and actions against the State.View practice area
- Business legal servicesCompany formation, trade mark registration and intellectual property, corporate structuring and putting business affairs in order.View practice area
- Portuguese tax number (NIF) applicationsThe tax number that opens doors in Portugal: support with NIF applications, in Portugal or while still abroad.View practice area
- Recognition of degrees and diplomasSupport with applications to recognise diplomas and academic degrees obtained abroad, for use in Portugal.View practice area
06The lawyer
Dra. Kelly Soares
Lawyer with more than fourteen years in legal practice, registered with the Portuguese Bar Association (Ordem dos Advogados) and the OAB in Brazil, practising international law with a focus on assisting immigrants of various nationalities.
She welcomes clients at the Porto office and supports those in another city or country online. Each case has a plan, a tailored document list and a person responsible for it.
- Legal practice
- 14years or more
- Portuguese Bar Association (Ordem dos Advogados)
- OA 51781P
- OAB Brazil
- 188608
- Consultations
- Porto and online
07Blog
Reading to help you make better decisions.
Difference between a residence permit and Portuguese citizenship
In general terms, what distinguishes these two legal concepts and why they should not be confused when planning a move to Portugal.
Read articleWhy organising documents early avoids problems in the process
The importance of gathering and checking documents before starting an application with the Portuguese authorities.
Read articlePortugal as a destination: a guide to visas and the legal route to living in the country
From your goal to a visa, and from a visa to a residence permit: the general route, usual steps and common mistakes when planning to live legally in Portugal.
Read article
08Frequently asked questions
Before deciding.
Every case has its own rules. These answers are a starting point; a conversation with the lawyer gives you the answer for your case.
01Which areas of law does the firm cover?
The firm practises international law from Porto. Immigration is the main area; the firm also handles criminal, civil, employment and family law, administrative litigation, business legal services, NIF applications and recognition of academic degrees and diplomas. Each area has its own page.
02Who does the firm assist?
Individuals and businesses in Portugal, Europe and other countries, including those wishing to immigrate to Portugal, of any nationality. Consultations are in Portuguese.
03Are consultations in person or online?
Both. We welcome clients at the Porto office and support those in another city or country online.
04Can I start the process while still in my country?
In many cases, yes. The case assessment and much of the preparation can be done remotely; what is possible depends on the type of application.
05Which documents will I need?
It depends on the application. That is why the first step is the initial conversation, which produces a tailored list indicating what needs translating, apostilling or certifying.
09Contact
Speak to the firm.
Tell us about your case. The first conversation helps us understand where you are and where you want to go.
- WhatsApp+351 913 940 990
- Emailks@kellysoaresadvocacia.com
- OfficeR. Calouste Gulbenkian 115, Piso 2, Loja 99
4050-145 Porto, Portugal - Instagram@advogadakellysoares