How do I deal with a non-responsive embassy

zurtle · 2023-10-17T07:35:20+02:00

Struggling with a non-responsive embassy for your D8/DR visa application in Portugal? Share tips and get advice on retrieving your passport fast.

zurtle Active member

Member since 07 July 2022

zurtleActive member17 October 2023 05:35:20

So made my D8/DR application over 80 days ago.

Haven't heard anything since, but the larger problem is as follows

At the time of application, I had asked them if my I could have my passport back if processing took too long.

The embassy confirmed that I could get it back and to let them know whenever I wanted it back.

I told them I'd wait the 60 days first and then ask for my passport to be returned if the application wasn't processed since I needed to travel.

On Sept 11th I asked them to return my passport since I needed to travel within the next few weeks.

I waited a week and got no response. So I sent a followup email with mailtracker enabled. (Turns out the email was never even opened)

I then called the embassy but could not connect for one week straight.

Eventually I was able to connect and the conversation went like this:

Me: I want to request my passport back

Guy on the phone: Asked about the type of Visa I applied for and other details

Me: Gave them all details

Guy: Please send an email on xxx.mne.pt

Me: I've already sent multiple emails, no response yet.

Guy: What's your email ID

Me: Gave them my email ID

Guy: Ok. We will check and respond.

Me: k thanks bye

Now another week passes by and nothing. So I call again

Again they ask me the same questions and say "We will check and reply to your email"

At this point I was losing my mind, I have urgent travel coming up, the embassy had earlier said that I could get my passport back whenever I wanted and to just let them know. And yet they never respond and do not even open my email. (Also sent using a different email ID to ensure it wasn't a problem with my email)

Now, I've sent them a physical letter along with a printout of their own email saying I could get my passport back whenever I wanted. Figured if they like paperwork so much then a letter would work.

Now my question is, what more can I do ? Already did the complain to the ministry.

I missed a very important meeting because these people are so inefficient.

I'm regretting even applying here and thinking I should have gone with a different country.

I knew there was lots of red tape but this amount of incompetency is unfounded and I cannot deal with.

slugsurmamates Serial 暗网禁区

Member since 10 February 2019

slugsurmamatesSerial 暗网禁区17 October 2023 06:03:39

253

Same the world over.

Every Embassy, every Country.

Arrogant, aloof, uncaring.

I've had some experience by emailing them, giving them a date and time that you will arrive at their embassy for an appointment.

They tend to react and tell you not to attend, but at least you have a contact.

All I can offer.

zurtle Active member

Member since 07 July 2022

zurtleActive member17 October 2023 06:18:07

Hah, that's a nice suggestion.

I did some digging and found a direct line straight to the ambassador's secretary. That might be my last resort.

Another option I was thinking of was sending them a Fax since they do specify a Fax number and the Fax machine suddenly turning on after ages might wake up the staff.

The thing that pisses me off the most was the lazy attitude over the phone as well.

slugsurmamates Serial 暗网禁区

Member since 10 February 2019

slugsurmamatesSerial 暗网禁区17 October 2023 06:32:28

253

@zurtle

Indeed.

You want to try calling the Thailand Embassy in London and listen to the recorded message you receive from there (you will always hear the message, these self-entitled types think that answering calls to the Hoi Polloi is beneath them)

It is cringeworthy.

Any Embassy ought to be the gateway and insight into the nation it is meant to represent.

Sadly, the arrogance trumps the responsibility.

pscarson Member

Member since 09 November 2022

pscarsonMember17 October 2023 07:16:45

Your passport is too important.聽 I would be endating the embassy with聽 daily emails requesting the passport back.聽 At the same tiime contact your own country embassy and start lost passport procedures.聽聽 Good luck.

JohnnyPT Portugal Expert

Member since 23 May 2020

JohnnyPTPortugal Expert17 October 2023 07:27:37

4904

@zurtle,

Try this form, another one...

SimCityAT Expert

Member since 08 April 2014

SimCityATExpert17 October 2023 07:56:32

12254

You have to get on the right side of the Embassy and government officials

I am very fortunate to have contacts with the British Embassy in Austria with personal email address and the Austrian Interior minister because the main one that Joe Public uses is useless.

But this is only because of Brexit and we have had a few meetings with them all.