Stressing about DD's Uni Yr 3 year abroad - Portugal

[andjustwhatfreshhellisthis]

DD is supposedly going to Portugal in September for her Yr3 - she's studying Spanish and Portuguese at a UK Uni (4 year course) and the year abroad is mandatory.

Up until now, there has been very limited information provided from her Uni, regarding what she needs to do to get things done because it all harnesses on the Portuguese Uni application process and I'm extremely worried that we will run out of time to get things sorted.

We've been told that the application window opens on the 23rd June (so next week) and we have no idea how long it will take for them to process her application. She's already provided them with a proficiency certificate and they were very quick to come back and say that it was sufficient. Fingers crossed they'll confirm her place just as quick. However, she has been told by her UK Uni that she can't apply for a visa or organise accommodation until she has her place at the Portuguese Uni confirmed.

I read on a FB post it can take months to get a visa appointment! so what happens if she doesn't get a visa in time before the academic year starts; what do we do?

And how does she go about looking/applying for accommodation? She's already been told that Halls aren't available so that means she'll be living with people she doesn't know albeit overseas students, but they may not be Portuguese language students and I'm worried she'll end up in a hell-hole.

The UK Uni hasn't opened up the 'blackboard' (that's what they refer to it as) section of their on-line information so we've no idea if they supply accommodation links or if DD has to sort all of that alone. (We've asked the Uni directly (as we need to organise ourselves) and they will only correspond with DD, not with us))

In addition, she wants us (DH and I) to travel with her and spend a few days prior to her starting her course, with her and finding her way around so we have to look to book holiday from work, book flights, find a place to stay and it's all last minute!! Starting to panic!! Help....

I’ve no idea about English. DD seemed perfectly ok with her French in Switzerland.

Yesterday DD's Irish passport application moved status to "Printing" - which means it's been approved and just has to fly over the Irish Sea now.

So one problem solved - just everything else to worry about now - like paying for it all!

This is spooky - my daughter is studying Portuguese and Spanish and has a place to study in portugal for 1 semester in September for her 3rd year.
I have been trawling the internet for help
we have found accom etc but it is impossible to get a visa appt in Manchester or Edinburgh in time - the slots are released every couple of weeks but go instantly. We have been monitoring but seems to be no rhyme or reason to when released and no assistance or advice.
we are going to keep trying but I’m not hopeful.
I was thinking that worse ways she can travel to Portugal under Schengen she has 90 days and then travel back here for a visa appt ? Or apply in Portugal ?
Is that doable ??? - I can’t seem to get a straight answer out of Google ….😬😬😬😬

DD went to the Austrian embassy in London to find she’d been given the working forms by the uni. She ended up applying in Austria once there which was fine - not sure if different countries have different rules.

An Irish passport makes things much easier. Dd studied in Spain 2022/23 and was able to get an Irish passport - though it took ages to come! Saved the need for a visa so worth looking into for anyone who has any chance of qualifying for one.

@andjustwhatfreshhellisthis how is your DC getting on with their visa application.

DD's Italian visa arrived today which is a huge relief.... only 5 weeks till they head off.

Sorry, ive not been checking back on the thread so you're probably sorted by now? Like your DD, ours couldn't get an appt via the online booking system so emailed them directly(another girl going to Coimbra gave her details) and my DD had an 'emergency' appointment with VFS Global last week whereby she had to take all the docs required with her for checking and she is now waiting for an email to confirm/provide an e-visa. Hoping she doesn't have to physically return to London to get passport stamped/stickered.

Currently waiting. She obtained an emergency appointment about a month ago, which occurred last week. Just waiting for her confirmation email now! Fingers crossed 🤞

Great news about the emergency appointment @andjustwhatfreshhellisthis but what a faff.

VFS also run processing for the Italian Consulate . VFS emailed a week after the appointment requesting another document and then emailed within the hour to confirm all been handed over the the Consulate. Her passport was returned with visa 2 working days later. Italians still use physical visas in the passport so they hung onto her passport and posted it back so that is clearly different to Portugal.

Unbelievable faff; but yes, we're nearly there! Sounds like the Italians have a better system. Keeping the passport until everything is confirmed and then sending it back with the visa makes so much sense whereby DD is uncertain as to whether her email is to confirm a new appointment to go and get her passport stamped or whether the email will include an e-visa.

Unfortunately, the individual at VFS in London was not helpful at all and answered in grunts apparently and she was made to feel very uncomfortable during the whole appointment...😑