I appreciate your bluntness about your political views. Maybe because they are similar to mine, but if you lose readers over expressing your views, especially in this time of crisis, you haven’t lost much. Thank you.
As a Canadian with many family members living in the USA , I am saddened by the way the current administration has turned its back on Canada and indeed Europe. As Canada braces itself to face punitive tariffs and thinly veiled and humiliating threats of annexation as a 51st state, I cannot help but wonder what those many Canadians who fought alongside Americans in 2 world wars and other conflicts to preserve democracy would think now as its president sidles up to tyrants and autocrats and the country moves away from the principles its citizens have fought and died for.
I'm actively trying to go "personal item only" when I travel and found this link fascinating, which may help you as well whittle down. https://regevelya.com/travel-gear/. He goes "No bags" and uses fascinating wool products for travel. We are personally just back from a week in Portugal mainland with just a personal item each. It was freeing to have my 5.65 lb bag.
To add on about the UK Visa, mine arrived by email within 5 minutes of application, so I think they may be getting you on the "express fee" although I would have done the same in that situation for sure.
I was told by SEF (at the time) officers that they can already pull our flight records to check time out of Portugal. I read one blogger who said she looked at her file when the officer left the room during her Residency Appointment and she was surprised to see all her flight records! So I do think Portugal is already checking these details if they are concerned. The fact that the timeframe for "time out of country" is so poorly clarified, is another discussion.
I love the refreshing honesty of your posts. Thank you. And yes, the world is changing so rapidly as all of the machinations are becoming apparent instead of furtive. No idea where we will all end up, but honesty, compassion and humor (all of which you give to us, your readers) makes it that much easier to bear.
There is an app for your phone and you take photos of your passport through it. It said it could take up to three days to get it, but I had it within the hour.
This was in December before the first deadline of Jan 8 (and I was arriving on Jan 9). The wait time might be longer now.
I think even the standard processing at iVisa is $100. I just followed your link, downloaded the app, and got approved within 10 minutes for the 10 pound fee. Thanks for that.
I, too, appreciate your point of view about politics. Being overseas, you are now looking at everything from a different viewpoint than those of us lobsters in the pot where the water is getting hotter…
Fred and I are right there with you on politics. Our Methodist minister reminded us, that the majority of us have great grandparents who immigrated to the US.
I love your articles! - we finally settled a year ago in Cascais and there are so many many similarities between your experiences and Peter and mine. One of my favorites is the Portuguese ‘No’, which after smiles and lots of small talk means ‘Yes’
I believe that people can be good or bad without taking into consideration their political views.
I also believe that politicians like Tramp and Putin aim to divide people instead of bringing people together. It's sad so much efforts, energy and time are spent to quarrel instead of doing what's needed.
It’s tough for us in a blue state, surrounded by the Red Sea of neighbors. But holding respect for each other’s views has been attained by some. In regard to Europe and our continued level of funding for Ukraine, unfortunately it’s unsustainable for the US. Looking for options is going to be difficult.
No respect for traitors, sorry. And thats what the US and Trump voters are. Together with Europe, the US could have easily continued funding Ukraine. Germany is currently the biggest humanitarian and second biggest military backer of Ukraine, so Americans should stop acting as if they’re carrying the burden alone. All of Western and almost all of Eastern Europe is on the right side of history, as opposed to negotiating with a murderous regime on how to sell off its territory.
I doubt the majority of Germans support the american proxy war in Ukraine. Black & white opinions are not a hallmark of critical thinking. I am a die hard American (and trans-national) democrat but I have to recognize that the makings of the Trump and the MAGA movement phenomenon is the sole responsibility of the Democratic Party geriatric elitist pseudo leadership since the times of Regan all the way to Hillary Clinton. Forty years in the making!
In fact, a wide majority of Germans do support defending an innocent European nation from a brutal unprovoked invasion that includes daily bombings and indiscriminate murder of innocent civilians by a brutal dictator. Look it up. There are only two parties on the extreme left and the extreme right AFD who would use your contemptible term “proxy war.” Calling it a proxy war is not a hallmark of intelligent critical thinking. Also, Trump and the MAGA movement are the responsibility of millions of Americans who embraced his propaganda, not some crusty Democrats, nor Hillary Clinton, unless you’re a misogynist.
Very good information, we realized a week before our trip to Argentina that we needed visas! We drove to Austin from San Antonio and paid to have our visas processed overnight. Then we had to drive back to Austin to pick them up. We were frazzled, but in the end the trip was unforgettable!
Thank you for this vital information. And, I’m sorry that you had to experience all these surprises and last-minute jumping through hoops. I appreciate your directness in discussing everything that you discuss. In my opinion, you are well qualified my dear!
Sadly, there is a lot of alt right push in Greenland that is embracing the current American administration. Currently a lot of uproar over the mining of cryolite (used in aluminum manufacture) and how the profits, the jobs, and the infrastructure all went to benefit Denmark, rather than Greenland. Greenland has not had a great time under Danish administration: there have been "cultural" tests (that benefit Danes), language tests (that again, benefit Danes), forced IUD insertion, and the taking of Intuit children when their parents do not pass any of the prior.
That said, I hope the Greenlanders keep their eyes open and see, life under the current US administration would NOT be any better, and in fact, would be more of the same, likely far worse.
Greenland needs to take a hard look at how tRUmp treats Puerto Rico - another island filled with people whose ethnicity he despises and dismisses - an island whose people already have American passports.
Agreed! Sadly I think those in support only have their own interests at heart…so much in common with the crazed selfish narcissism of the Republicans and their “leader(s)”.
I appreciate your bluntness about your political views. Maybe because they are similar to mine, but if you lose readers over expressing your views, especially in this time of crisis, you haven’t lost much. Thank you.
As a Canadian with many family members living in the USA , I am saddened by the way the current administration has turned its back on Canada and indeed Europe. As Canada braces itself to face punitive tariffs and thinly veiled and humiliating threats of annexation as a 51st state, I cannot help but wonder what those many Canadians who fought alongside Americans in 2 world wars and other conflicts to preserve democracy would think now as its president sidles up to tyrants and autocrats and the country moves away from the principles its citizens have fought and died for.
Yes, and more recently helped fight our fires in LA.
And add me to the crowds who are cheering your honest commentary!!!! Thank you!
Hello,
From the document on ETAIS site:
https://travel-europe.europa.eu/etias/who-should-apply_en
under "Who does not need an ETIAS travel authorisation
You will not need an ETIAS travel authorisation if you are:"
...
A holder of a residence permit or a residence card issued by any European country requiring ETIAS
https://home-affairs.ec.europa.eu/document/download/94241914-26f6-464d-be28-c601d8ded4d5_en
ANNEX 22
LIST OF RESIDENCE PERMITS ISSUED BY MEMBER STATES
....
PORTUGAL
I. Residence permits issued according to uniform format laid down by Council Regulation
(EC) no. 1030/2002
TÍTULO DE RESIDÊNCIA
Confers the status of resident in Portugal for third-country nationals
...
Temporary - valid for two years from the date of issue and renewable for successive periods
of three years
The problem being renewal. The administrative extensions are unlikely to count.
I'm actively trying to go "personal item only" when I travel and found this link fascinating, which may help you as well whittle down. https://regevelya.com/travel-gear/. He goes "No bags" and uses fascinating wool products for travel. We are personally just back from a week in Portugal mainland with just a personal item each. It was freeing to have my 5.65 lb bag.
To add on about the UK Visa, mine arrived by email within 5 minutes of application, so I think they may be getting you on the "express fee" although I would have done the same in that situation for sure.
I was told by SEF (at the time) officers that they can already pull our flight records to check time out of Portugal. I read one blogger who said she looked at her file when the officer left the room during her Residency Appointment and she was surprised to see all her flight records! So I do think Portugal is already checking these details if they are concerned. The fact that the timeframe for "time out of country" is so poorly clarified, is another discussion.
Always enjoy your blog!
Great post, and helpful too! And keep telling it like it is . . .
I love the refreshing honesty of your posts. Thank you. And yes, the world is changing so rapidly as all of the machinations are becoming apparent instead of furtive. No idea where we will all end up, but honesty, compassion and humor (all of which you give to us, your readers) makes it that much easier to bear.
I went to the UK government site to get my UK visa: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/apply-for-an-electronic-travel-authorisation-eta. It cost about the same (£10) as iVisa.
There is an app for your phone and you take photos of your passport through it. It said it could take up to three days to get it, but I had it within the hour.
This was in December before the first deadline of Jan 8 (and I was arriving on Jan 9). The wait time might be longer now.
I think even the standard processing at iVisa is $100. I just followed your link, downloaded the app, and got approved within 10 minutes for the 10 pound fee. Thanks for that.
I, too, appreciate your point of view about politics. Being overseas, you are now looking at everything from a different viewpoint than those of us lobsters in the pot where the water is getting hotter…
Fred and I are right there with you on politics. Our Methodist minister reminded us, that the majority of us have great grandparents who immigrated to the US.
I love your articles! - we finally settled a year ago in Cascais and there are so many many similarities between your experiences and Peter and mine. One of my favorites is the Portuguese ‘No’, which after smiles and lots of small talk means ‘Yes’
Nancy,
I believe that people can be good or bad without taking into consideration their political views.
I also believe that politicians like Tramp and Putin aim to divide people instead of bringing people together. It's sad so much efforts, energy and time are spent to quarrel instead of doing what's needed.
I personally think you're great. Keep posting.
It’s tough for us in a blue state, surrounded by the Red Sea of neighbors. But holding respect for each other’s views has been attained by some. In regard to Europe and our continued level of funding for Ukraine, unfortunately it’s unsustainable for the US. Looking for options is going to be difficult.
No respect for traitors, sorry. And thats what the US and Trump voters are. Together with Europe, the US could have easily continued funding Ukraine. Germany is currently the biggest humanitarian and second biggest military backer of Ukraine, so Americans should stop acting as if they’re carrying the burden alone. All of Western and almost all of Eastern Europe is on the right side of history, as opposed to negotiating with a murderous regime on how to sell off its territory.
I doubt the majority of Germans support the american proxy war in Ukraine. Black & white opinions are not a hallmark of critical thinking. I am a die hard American (and trans-national) democrat but I have to recognize that the makings of the Trump and the MAGA movement phenomenon is the sole responsibility of the Democratic Party geriatric elitist pseudo leadership since the times of Regan all the way to Hillary Clinton. Forty years in the making!
In fact, a wide majority of Germans do support defending an innocent European nation from a brutal unprovoked invasion that includes daily bombings and indiscriminate murder of innocent civilians by a brutal dictator. Look it up. There are only two parties on the extreme left and the extreme right AFD who would use your contemptible term “proxy war.” Calling it a proxy war is not a hallmark of intelligent critical thinking. Also, Trump and the MAGA movement are the responsibility of millions of Americans who embraced his propaganda, not some crusty Democrats, nor Hillary Clinton, unless you’re a misogynist.
Very good information, we realized a week before our trip to Argentina that we needed visas! We drove to Austin from San Antonio and paid to have our visas processed overnight. Then we had to drive back to Austin to pick them up. We were frazzled, but in the end the trip was unforgettable!
Thank you for this vital information. And, I’m sorry that you had to experience all these surprises and last-minute jumping through hoops. I appreciate your directness in discussing everything that you discuss. In my opinion, you are well qualified my dear!
I suspect Americans are not particularly welcome in Greenland right now. Might want to reconsider??
I do worry about that. However, when someone asks if I am America, I state, "Yes I was born in the US, but Portugal is my home."
Sadly, there is a lot of alt right push in Greenland that is embracing the current American administration. Currently a lot of uproar over the mining of cryolite (used in aluminum manufacture) and how the profits, the jobs, and the infrastructure all went to benefit Denmark, rather than Greenland. Greenland has not had a great time under Danish administration: there have been "cultural" tests (that benefit Danes), language tests (that again, benefit Danes), forced IUD insertion, and the taking of Intuit children when their parents do not pass any of the prior.
That said, I hope the Greenlanders keep their eyes open and see, life under the current US administration would NOT be any better, and in fact, would be more of the same, likely far worse.
Greenland needs to take a hard look at how tRUmp treats Puerto Rico - another island filled with people whose ethnicity he despises and dismisses - an island whose people already have American passports.
Agreed! Sadly I think those in support only have their own interests at heart…so much in common with the crazed selfish narcissism of the Republicans and their “leader(s)”.
Apples and oranges...
It was only a typical Trump's sleight of hand. Why are people making it a storm in a tea-pot?
Perhaps you should check up on current news, or read a little history if you don’t understand or can’t imagine the potential repercussions.