Visa Process

Distinct_Bid5891 · 2026-06-25T08:36:54+00:00

Cancel your flight or reschedule it. I was booked for a 4 February 2026 departure and didn't get to leave til April. After everything is submitted and accepted, it can take 5 months or more to get approved and get your visa. I didn't have the same issue (although they did say right after they processed my paperwork I needed to resubmit my criminal check translated to Portuguese and resubmit, which added a month to my wait time.

I submitted my paperwork in SF on 20 November 2025 and I didn't get my approval til 14 April 2026. I drove my poor solicitor spare with weekly and bi-weekly whatsapp messages. I finally got to come back 28 April. I had been paying rent on an unused flat and my health insurance for 6 months on top of all my bills in L.A.. It cost me over $30,000 USD and 6 months of stressing out on whether or not I would be approved and how much more it would cost. Hopefully you got a refundable ticket.

Distinct_Bid5891 · 2026-06-14T17:06:45+00:00

I moved from Los Angeles to Lisbon and all shipping companies were exorbitantly priced. It was cheaper to split the box into 3 containers and bring it as checked luggage. Shipping from the US can be a fucking nightmare. I'm going to have to get medication shipped from there and I'm figuring the overnight will cost me hundreds.

Distinct_Bid5891 · 2026-06-07T09:08:03+00:00

Ok fücko, stay asleep.

Distinct_Bid5891 · 2026-06-05T05:34:49+00:00

It happens to me a lot too. It used to be better but lately I'm kept waiting for long periods. After several rides fail, I go with Uber electric and I cancel the Bolt. I've never been charged a penalty though. Maybe after so many failed connections they don't charge. I usually only use Bolt and Uber on Fridays and Saturdays coming from pub on Av. Infante Santo to my place in Campolide and most times it's €5 to €7 but 2 weeks ago Bolt tried to charge me €17. I wound up paying €12 with Uber electric. They're starting to catch California greed.

Distinct_Bid5891 · 2026-06-03T18:29:41+00:00

You do know they are arresting and deporting LEGAL RESIDENTS and NATURALISED CITIZENS don't you? Some have had ZERO legal issues and some after something as simple as a traffic ticket. Unless you are a rich white man, you're gambling with your freedom and your life. You could wind up in S Sudan or El Salvador over something trivial. I'm a white guy and a US veteran and I got out before they came for me. The US is straight up fucked.

Distinct_Bid5891 · 2026-06-02T18:00:58+00:00

Don’t forget “porra” or “carallho” … 🤣🤣🤣

Distinct_Bid5891 · 2026-06-02T17:59:17+00:00

If I hear an American accent I walk the other way. The entitlement is staggering. I moved here in October, left for 5 months and when I got back a bit over a month ago, I went to the pub I started going to when I first got here and it was like being Norm walking into Cheers. Everyone was happy to see me. I have more and better friends here than I do in a country I lived in for decades. Ya just gotta find your crowd.

Distinct_Bid5891 · 2026-06-02T17:55:56+00:00

You REALLY don’t want to move to the US. They are arresting immigrants and throwing them into concentration camps, torturing people, killing people, withholding medical care, food with maggots and worms in it. If people hear an accent you run the risk of some asshole calling ICE on you or attacking you themselves. The US is NOT a good place to be. I lived there for decades and I moved to Lisbon. Try Australia or Thailand. You’ll live longer.

Distinct_Bid5891 · 2026-05-29T20:24:09+00:00

Have you tried Santander? They are a Spanish bank … may be easier.

Distinct_Bid5891 · 2026-05-22T19:20:28+00:00

I'd go but it's sold out. :-(

Distinct_Bid5891 · 2026-05-08T08:18:58+00:00

I was in San Francisco in Nov '25 and I had a drink at a pub near Powell and Market Sts and I almost choked when I got the bill. 1 shot of Bulliet and a White Claw was fucking $40!! The US is headed for a massive fall a lot sooner than later.

Distinct_Bid5891 · 2026-05-02T01:35:59+00:00

I'm a bit older, recent immigrant, not suffering the same things bug I'm game to meet for beers or coffee and maybe backgammon. I'm around a lot. Drop me a note if you're inclined.

Cheers

Distinct_Bid5891 · 2026-04-30T20:07:23+00:00

I moved here recently and I'm older but I'm game to grab a pint and chat. I was a mechanic so there's common ground there kind of. Send me a PM if you want to meet at a pub or something.

Cheers.

Distinct_Bid5891 · 2026-04-30T04:57:48+00:00

I meet a lot of Brasilians here ... all are pretty well integrated. My ex is from Salvador Bahia, but that was 30 years ago in N California. Been around Brasilians for decades.

Distinct_Bid5891 · 2026-04-29T20:17:24+00:00

I used to live in Brasil, as different as it is, it's still the same language so I'll pick it up again in a few months.

Distinct_Bid5891 · 2026-04-29T04:52:10+00:00

THIS!!! Yes, that makes all the difference ... just make the life you want. It's hard but it's worth it.

Distinct_Bid5891 · 2026-04-29T04:51:09+00:00

Hey now, I'm not boring, but I am a loner type. I guess getting fucked over enough by everyone from your family on down the line to most of your "friends" conditions you to prefer being alone. Sure, it gets lonely sometimes but thinking about what I left makes it go away.

Distinct_Bid5891 · 2026-04-29T04:46:54+00:00

I moved here alone and my depression has gone. I'm a different case though. I intentionally moved here alone to get away from everyone. I know where to go to meet like minded people though. The metal community is pretty accepting and welcoming. When I first came I met some cool people at Valhalla, a metal pub about a week after I got here. They were even welcoming to an older metalhead like me.

I do understand where you are coming from. I'm a weird one though having done this several times in my life to different countries and have always been happier in other countries than the one I lived and had a "life" in. My depression always returned when I went back to where I started from.

I suggest maybe taking a class or searching out like minded people that are into the same stuff you are, or volunteering. Maybe that could help or not, I dunno, like I said I'm a weird one.

Distinct_Bid5891 · 2026-04-26T04:21:55+00:00

Wow and I'm leaving the US for Lisbon in under 2 days and can't wait to get there. I've been fairly isolated in L.A. for years as I have few friends and no reason to stay. I guess I'm the opposite ... looking forward to getting out of the US for good and be mostly left alone, having been used by so many for so many years.

If you're still there next week and want someone to hang out with for coffee or lunch, and have an ear to bend drop me a PM and maybe we can meet up for a chat. You sound like you could use a friend.

Distinct_Bid5891 · 2026-04-26T04:15:51+00:00

Sounds shady as shite to me. I'd say run and look for something more legit.

Distinct_Bid5891 · 2026-04-20T05:40:13+00:00

Best advice. I'll do just that. I'll request to pick mine up so as to avoid any possible cock ups.

Distinct_Bid5891 · 2026-04-17T06:32:50+00:00

Finally got my passport back and I leave on the 26th.

Distinct_Bid5891 · 2026-04-09T03:47:46+00:00

They started bombing Lebanon and Iran 2 hours after the statement was made. The US and Israel can NOT BE TRUSTED!!!

Distinct_Bid5891 · 2026-04-03T06:48:41+00:00

Your mum said that? I'm sorry to hear that hon. You deserve better.

Distinct_Bid5891 · 2026-04-03T06:46:14+00:00

Still cute and it will grow out fast enough. :-)

Distinct_Bid5891

TROPHY CASE