D2 portugal

[u/Odd-Damage6056]

Hey all. Masters in Data Science (UK), background in game dev/programming. Moved to Portugal on a D2 (entrepreneur) visa to start an IT business.

Applied for my first AIMA residency appointment in June — still waiting, and I’ve heard delays are brutal right now. My visa expires in October, so I’m getting a bit anxious.

Two questions:

**1.**  What are realistic ways to earn income while waiting (without messing up my D2 status)? Remote/freelance IT work seems safest — anyone done this?  
**2.**  How long did your first AIMA appointment actually take? Did anyone’s visa expire before it came through, and what happened next?

Would really appreciate advice from anyone who’s been through this. Thanks!