Client Testimonials
HAPPY CLIENTS
What people are saying about their experience working with us.
Super Star
As a retired business owner, familiar with reading, comprehending and fulfilling contracts and document requirements, I felt that I had both the time and experience to tackle the needs and demands of VFS and Portuguese immigration. I thought I was ready, but as time approached for my appointment, I recognized there were a number of loose ends. I felt uneasy and thank goodness followed the advise of someone who had been in my shoes previously and contacted Heather. I gave her very little time as I only had three days until the appointment but Heather took one look at my assembled package and got to work. And work she did! Non-stop flurry of emails rewrites, pdfs, scans, and printing. I'm not sure if or when she sleeps. As I left for DC I had a professional, totally prepared package that I felt confident with. Even the interviewer at VFS looked at my paperwork and commented on how well-prepared I was. If not for Heather, I have no doubt that I would have left DC frustrated and unsuccessful. Heather is personable, professional, extremely knowledgeable and competent. We will absolutely and without hesitation be working together on other pieces of my immigration to Portugal. My advice is don't do as I did and wait to the last minute. Contact Boots On The Ground as early as possible in the process and get it done right the first time and take away the stress. From my personal experience, you will not be disappointed. Five stars, thumbs up. Thank you Heather and Boots On The Ground. You're the greatest.
Wouldn't have been able to do this move…
Wouldn't have been able to do this move without them! Besides the details, they listened when I needed calming! Very responsive and felt cared for! Bonus is military discount!
Heather and her team are extremely organized.
Heather and her team are extremely helpful and knowledgeable. They were always there whenever we had questions to answer an email. Their organization walk through for the Visa appointment was spot on. Piece of cake! I highly recommend using Boots on The Ground to save yourself a lot of angst and headache.
Great team!
Heather and her team have been fantastic! I definitely would not have wanted to try to do all this myself. It's stressful enough under the best of circumstances, so having someone who knows the system and keeps up with all the latest changes was a real lifesaver. Most highly recommended!
Highly Recommend - A True Partnership
When we decided to retire to Portugal we researched a couple of relocation specialists, and the best decision (besides retiring to Portugal) was hiring Heather with Boots on the Ground. Of course, we read all the necessary tasks required to obtain our temporary Visa and it 'seemed' easy enough, until you begin to realize all the details and complexities required. During our first consultation with Heather she explained her process as well as what she does for her clients and the various packages, she also took the time to get to know us. Heather has an excellent team, she is extremely knowledgeable, resourceful, the rules here can change and she consistently researches any and all updates that occur in the process. Applying for the VISA is extremely overwhelming and stressful plus takes time, Heather is there for you every step of the way when you start to freak out, and gave us her time and the space to breathe through her guidance, kindness and availability. She truly cares about your success, she and her team work diligently to make the process as smooth as possible, by creating a system that makes what we need to do and when coherent and detailed. We have been in Lisbon for 6 months now and received our 2 year Visa-this would not have been possible without Heather to guide us every step of the way. Sara, who speaks fluent Portuguese was /is extremely helpful talking to people for me on the phone about utilities and supplies - thank you. We highly recommend Heather and her team at Boots on the Ground for the thorough, efficient, caring and successful experience. We just can't thank you all enough.
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Our satisfied clients
Heather and her team made my dreams a reality by facilitating the entire visa process to move to Portugal. The process has a lot of tedious and complicated aspects, that I would not have been able to figure out on my own. But that wasn't enough, I have now been in Portugal for 6 months and Heather and her team have continued to offer me support every step of the way from getting my residency card, to my health number, and to providing me with resources and mental health support. I recommend them to everyone I meet!
The Boots on the Ground team is definitely the best expat services provider in Portugal! They have a wide range of experience and connections to help with many different needs, and you can count on them to follow up and help you get things done amid the complexity of Portuguese bureaucracy. Most recently, Heather helped me with exchanging my US drivers license with a Portuguese one, a process so mired in confusing bureaucratic steps in both the US and Portugal I thought it might be an impossible mission. But Heather provided solutions each time I encountered an obstacle in the process. Her support has saved my sanity!
Organized, responsive and hard-working
Heather is an extremely organized and responsive consultant. She answered my many questions and guided us through the entire process. She is a natural problem-solver (my favorite type of person). She was able to craft unique solutions to the issues that popped up along the way which we had no idea how to address. She has a can-do, get-it-done personality which is vital to those who need that type of reassurance. I would highly recommend her.
You won't be chasing them around
You won't be chasing them around, trying to get them to do what you're paying them to do. We asked for assistance with pieces of our process but I wish we would have had them for the entire Visa process instead of wasting our money. If there is something that needs figuring out, they will truly spend the time and effort to help you and also to explain things in a way you can understand. I would not hesitate to recommend Boots on the Ground! They get the job done and reasonable pricing too 🙂
Heather was very honest and clear with…
Heather was very honest and clear with her knowledge. We have literally just started the process of moving to Portugal so still in the early stages but we will be using Heather's Boots On The Ground service to guide us and keep us on track.
Feel More Confident and Ready With the Process
It's interesting that I see a lot of opinions on the internet on whether one should use a service (Like Boots on the Ground) to help them with the Visa / Residency process or not. And yes, one can always do it alone and get through it.
But what we found out is that the process (filled with lots of little steps / forms / proper timing, etc.) can be a little scary and/or intimidating and like any other government-dictated process can change at any moment. Heather and her company provide an invaluable service of confidence and caring at a very reasonable cost. During our Visa and Residency meetings, forms and policies DID change...some last moment. Having Heather and her team be on the constant look-out for this ensured that we were ALWAYS prepared and helped us feel comfortable and confident heading into our meetings.
I count Heather as a friend now and am thankful for her (and her team) insight and caring and dedication of time that it took in order to help us successfully get through the process. Using her service is a no-brainer...go for it!
Boots on the Ground, unquestionably
Heather and Sara, the two main cast of characters I communicated with and helped me in this journey were extremely helpful and communicative. I really can't imagine making this move without their guidance. That said, there was substantial work for me to do to facilitate this process. Be prepared to do the work. I applaud anyone making this move on their own. I would never recommend that. I wholeheartedly endorse Boots on the Ground. Heather is very organized and will lead you to the promised land!
Worth their weight in gold.
We just completed the last step in our journey to become residents of Portugal from the U.S. There are many, many 't's to cross and 'i's to dot when dealing with governments, and Heather and her team guided us through all of it. They are very knowledgeable, trustworthy and just very nice people. I would recommend them without reservation.
Couldn't Have Done It Without Heather and Team!
I hired Heather and her Team to help me with the process of applying for a visa. I can honestly say I would have never been able to do it myself and without her knowledge and assistance. The process may sound and read easy and straightforward, but I can tell you it is not. There are many intricacies and details you must be aware of and a timeline you must adhere to, and it can be a very fluid situation as the rules and requirements and state of affairs may change. Therefore, I highly recommend BOTG to alleviate the stress and guide you through every step of the way what can feel like and be at times an overwhelming and never-ending maze. Heather is small business and takes great pride in what she does. She works tirelessly and is very prompt. She will give you her all and truly cares and tries her best to deliver. I prefer to do business with someone like Heather who takes an interest in me and what I am trying to accomplish rather than feel like I am just another number and customer and to get it over with. It is teamwork and rewarding when you accomplish the many tasks involved over the long drawn-out process. Many thanks to Heather and team for all the progress we have made thus far.
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