This section outlines how Zoark coordinates immigration, fund eligibility, retirement-account mechanics, and professional handoffs. It is a process overview — not advice.
Initial intake to confirm eligibility scope, account types involved, and jurisdictional constraints before sequencing is set.
Identify U.S.-specific constraints tied to IRAs, 401(k)s, or trusts, including custody rules and prohibited transaction considerations.
Define what documentation is required, when it is needed, and who provides each item across immigration, tax, and custody workflows.
Coordinate the appropriate participation pathway for qualified accounts without providing tax or investment advice.
Align account setup and administrative mechanics so fund subscriptions follow a compliant sequence.
Fact-only screening of fund eligibility for the Golden Visa route, including CMVM status evidence and exclusion flags. No rankings or recommendations.
Coordinate subscription steps, evidence requirements, and timing across custodians, funds, and legal filings.
Confirm documentation completeness and sequencing readiness prior to attorney-led filing.
Attorney-led submission and coordination through biometrics and procedural milestones. Zoark remains in a coordination role only.
Establish documentation continuity and audit-trail discipline to support renewals and future reviews.
Our value lies in the discipline of the workflow—coordinating the specific needs of U.S. retirement capital with Portuguese fund regulation.
We do not claim to be the "fastest" or "easiest." We claim to be defensible. Every step is documented to withstand scrutiny from U.S. custodians and Portuguese immigration authorities.
Qualified account constraints are considered from day one to ensure IRS compliance and avoid prohibited transactions.
We map custody requirements, subscription steps, and documentation sequences specifically for IRA/401(k) assets.
Fact-only checks on CMVM status, route fit, and exclusion flags. We do not rank funds by performance.
Clear handoffs to licensed tax, legal, and immigration professionals with documented responsibilities at every stage.
An audit trail mindset: identifying exactly what is needed, when, and who provides it to minimize RFE risks.
Clear, upfront pricing for coordination services. We prioritize alignment over hidden commissions.
Zoark coordinates the mechanics that typically sit across immigration counsel, custodians, tax professionals, and fund administrators. We structure the process so licensed advisers can advise within scope — and filings proceed with clarity.
Zoark coordinates attorney-led residency filings and U.S.–compliant IRA/401(k)/trust workflows for Portugal’s fund route—clear steps, documented SLAs, and coordination with your existing advisers.
Case strategy, filings, and representation through biometrics and renewals.
Processes aligned with IRS rules, FATCA and FBAR reporting; we collaborate with your CPA.
Rollover and custody setup for IRA, 401(k), and trust structures that participate in eligible funds.
From first eligibility check to residence card, we run one coordinated process so you can move forward confidently.
Request a consultationZoark was founded by Dean and Ana Fankhauser—global citizens who have lived, invested, and raised a family across Europe’s most coveted destinations.
Their personal journey navigating cross-border residency, wealth protection, and relocation created an inside-out understanding of what matters when the process is real.
From building a base across major European hubs to navigating multiple residency pathways, their experience shaped a style of work built around discretion, structure, and clarity.
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Meet the licensed professionals guiding your residency, tax, and investment strategy with precision and regulatory clarity.
Senior counsel advising families on residency strategy. Combines strict legal precision with practical, long-term planning for U.S. investors.
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Specializes in the intersection of investment funds and residency. Guides clients through Portuguese regulatory frameworks with structured, actionable clarity.
View Professional ProfileFocused on residency mechanics and procedural stability. Known for steady guidance and thorough case preparation for D7 and Digital Nomad pathways.
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International counsel with 20+ years in cross-border wealth and regulatory matters. Advises investors and family offices on complex immigration structures.
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Senior tax adviser with two decades of experience. Supports executives through international tax transformation and regulatory compliance.
View Professional Profile| Dimension | Zoark | Typical Immigration Firm | General Practice Law Firm |
|---|---|---|---|
| Core Focus | Portugal fund-route residency for U.S. investors | Multiple visa types; broad audience | General legal services; immigration as one practice |
| U.S. Compliance | Built around IRS, FATCA & FBAR routines; coordination with your CPA | Limited U.S.-specific processes | Outside scope |
| IRA/401(k)/Trust Workflows | Custody & participation workflows aligned to eligible funds | Not offered | Not offered |
| Advice Boundaries | No recommendations or ratings; fact-only fund coverage & eligibility checks | May provide introductions; approach varies | N/A |
| Case Handling | Attorney-led filings with documented SLAs | Volume model; variable oversight | Depends on team; immigration not always core |
| Privacy | Privacy-first handling; NDA on request | Standard intake policies | Standard firm policies |
| Fees | Transparent, fixed-scope engagement | Mix of flat + add-ons | Primarily hourly billing |
| Time to file-ready | Typically ~10 business days after complete documents | Varies | Varies |
| Ongoing Support | Renewals and audit-trail documentation | Limited | Limited |
End-to-end coordination—from eligibility and documents to filings and renewals—built for American investors.
Workflows designed around IRS, FATCA and FBAR requirements; we collaborate with your CPA and counsel.
Clear custody and subscription steps for qualified accounts and trusts participating in eligible Portuguese funds.
Confidential handling, clean audit trail, and NDA availability for family offices and HNW families.
