I am trying to apply for a D7 visa for myself, wife and son. We live in Dubai but have owned a house in Portugal for eight years now which we use in the Summer. As in most countries, the application process is through VFS but I have been trying to obtain an appointment to submit our documents since 1st February with no luck, it just says "No appointment slots are currently available". I contacted VFS and they said the slots are provided by the Portuguese Embassy and just to keep trying (which I do 10+ times a day). I contacted the Portuguese Embassy and they just said "Apply through the VFS website". I want to retire to Portugal from July this year but cannot as I am unable to even submit my paperwork!

I know that the application process is supposed to be through your country of residence but has anyone had any luck applying through their country of nationality? I am a UK passport holder and am becoming desperate enough to apply through VFS in London if I do not get an appointment soon and if it is permissable. Is it a common problem not to be able to get an appointment or is it a UAE thing only?

Hi there. My husband is American and his 10-year Residency expired on 28 February. He contacted SEF by e-mail early January and they gave him the phone line. He calls daily and gets the same recording that there are no appointments available. The last week in February he contacted a (Portuguese) Agency we use and they cannot get an appointment either!!! SEF is in a mess. I haven't received my Biocard yet ,,, it has been seven weeks since I paid so maybe I am being hasty/unreasonable thinking I should have it!

Difficulty in getting an appointment is a common problem. In the UK they are released at the start of the month and mid month but go quickly.

I'm not sure if the slots are actually provided by the Embassy (sounds like a VFS excuse to me)

In the UK you just have to go on to the VFS web-site morning noon and night daily until they appear - and they eventually do then get snapped up.

Also be aware that if you try to enter the details of more than one person, all appointments disappear so if you need appointments for more than one person then you need to book them one at a time. The Portuguese consulate will control the number of applications that VFS can offer as VFS forward the applications onto them for processing.