In exchange for a long-term visa, Portugal requires assurances that I can afford to live there and that I’m not a money launderer or similar undesirable rascal. As with any bureaucratic endeavor, it begins with a form, backed up with extensive proof. All in all, about 50 pages of documentation. I hired a professional from a company called Relocate to Portugal to help me. Gail has been invaluable. But there’s no controlling the way things can happen. Or not happen.

First Steps

I flew to Porto. I got my NIF (financial ID number, sort of like a Social Security number.) I opened a bank account in a local Portuguese bank. And a Wise account to transfer money internationally. And a Vodafone account. I found an apartment for a long-term lease, as reported previously. It was time to return to the US and finish the application process, beginning with the FBI background history report.

Copping the FBI Report

November 8.
Porto > Amsterdam > Atlanta > St. Louis.
My brother is generously hosting me for what I hoped would be a 6-8 week stay while I finished the application process. The first action item was to get fingerprinted and submit a request for the FBI background report. That’s when my Olympian talent for messing up the simplest forms and applications emerged.

After weeks of circuitous mishaps, I emerged with the prize: a 9 X 12 brown envelope from the United States Department of Justice, Federal Bureau of Investigation office in Clarksburg, West Virginia. Considering the effort and importance, it was boringly institutional – no red wax seal or Top Secret stamp. I took it as a good omen that it arrived the same day Portugal reigned victorious over Sweden. My ignorance knows no bounds.

Time to Submit the Application!

I gleefully updated Gail at Relocate to Portugal. She jumped into action to finalize the application for printing to hard copy and mailing. All visa applications must be processed through a company called VFS Global. They do not have a good reputation for being easy to work with – another reason it’s great to have Gail on my side, as she has worked with them for years.

And Then

So far, there is no strike. Just a shut-down by VFS, conveniently for them, at holiday time. Gail pivoted to Plan B, which was to get me an in-person appointment with the Portuguese Consulate in Washington, DC, in lieu of the mail-in application.

So… I’m waiting. Hoping VFS gets their act together sooner, rather than later. Meanwhile, it’s wonderful to spend time with my awesome brother and sister-in-law, (and Pokey the black cat!) and we’re looking forward to being in East Hampton and New York City with the entire family at Christmas time.