Let me give you a brief summary. In December 2022, I made my way back to the states to finalize my permanent relocation to Portugal. The first hurdle was obtaining my Portuguese VISA, a process that proved to be both tedious and overwhelming at times. To add to the challenge, I embarked on this journey alone, but that won't be the case for you.
Join me by subscribing to my blog and let's embark on this adventure together. You'll have the opportunity to experience Europe through the eyes of locals, fellow expats, and myself. Share your own personal stories and valuable tips in the comments. Feel free to ask any questions about the country and city I'm residing in, and I'll be your guide in finding the answers you seek.
In my upcoming posts, I will share captivating stories about my initial trip to Portugal, my unexpected return to the states, the necessary steps to obtain your own VISA, and the exciting escapades of my new life abroad.
Before departing Portugal, I collaborated with AlgarveKnow, an organization that assisted me with complex tasks related to securing a VISA. These tasks included obtaining a NIF number (similar to a SSN#) and opening a Portuguese bank account. Throughout the process, AlgarveKnow provided invaluable guidance, simplifying confusing steps and deciphering the jargon found on the VFS website. Speaking of VFS, they are the third-party VISA application processors, also known as the "gatekeepers". They have seven offices in the US, and each application is processed based on the designated office assigned to your State. Interestingly, despite residing in Florida, my application and subsequent interview were processed in Washington DC vs Miami as one would have expected.
The Application and the Interview...
After submitting my application online, I was instructed to schedule an appointment in DC. Let's pause at this point: while my new friend Candy, who had gone through this process a year ago and was already living in Portugal, advised me to send my application by mail, VFS website explicitly mentioned that they were not accepting mail-in applications due to a recent strike by VFS employees.
To play it safe, armed with my completed application and a confirmed appointment for February 6th, I promptly made arrangements for my flight and hotel in Washington. I didn't want to risk missing my VISA interview on Monday morning, so I arrived in DC on February 4th.
Arriving at the office with a 30-minute head start, imagine my disappointment when I was informed that my appointment didn't exist. It turned out that the email I received confirming my appointment was merely an acknowledgement of my scheduling request. Nonetheless, this is where grace, love, and maintaining a calm spirit proved invaluable...
Despite not having an appointment, the accommodating receptionist kindly allowed me to proceed and guided me to take a seat. While waiting in anticipation, an intuition nudged me to go online and attempt to book the appointment once more. Luckily, to my delight, there were available slots for February 7th. Armed with a new appointment confirmation, complete with a barcode in my email, the VISA gatekeepers graciously agreed to attend to me.
FYI. I have a brand new Passport so the passport number is no longer valid.
After a quick review of my application packet, I received the news that a few items were missing. Let me clarify, I did have them, but not in the required format. Rather than seeing this as a failure, I took the opportunity to gather information from the gatekeeper. To my surprise, I learned that mailing my application was an option, and the website was outdated due to staffing and time constraints. With newfound knowledge, I promptly booked another flight to visit my parents in North Carolina.
Now, let me address those who have been curious about my visa status and last-minute flight purchases. As you can understand from my experience, it's difficult to know what's happening when the available information is unreliable. And as for the last-minute flights, I only know where I'm headed when it's time to depart. Trust me, if I could save over $200 by booking in advance, I absolutely would!
During my time in North Carolina, I made sure to gather all the remaining items required for my visa application while cherishing precious moments with my parents. Finally, on February 17th, I promptly mailed my completed application and supporting documents to VFS Washington, which arrived swiftly on February 21st. Unfortunately, my patience was tested during the three-day holiday weekend that began on February 18th. The arduous process of waiting... Ugh!
Now, let's talk about that visit to my parents. On that particular occasion, it seemed the divine had chosen to test my patience, and it was truly a challenging test of endurance.
Let's go!
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