Consulate General of Portugal — Local services in New York

Dear Consulate of Portugal in New York, I am a current student seeking to apply for a Portuguese passport, and I have encountered significant challenges navigating the appointment process. The system appears to be unnecessarily complicated and outdated, and I have found it extremely difficult to receive any assistance or guidance.

Despite calling the listed phone number multiple times over several days, I have not received any response. I also left a voicemail and sent an email, both of which have gone unanswered. In an effort to resolve this issue, I even visited the consulate in person, but was not permitted entry without an appointment. When I spoke to someone at the door, I was informed that the phone number listed on Google is outdated and no longer in use. I was then provided with a different number (212) 814-2602 which, to my knowledge, is the only line where I was finally able to speak with someone directly.

On their website under the appointment section that says “Online Bookings”, the only link listed will bring you to a 12 page PDF document with instructions on how to make an appointment. On that PDF document there is another link posted to make appointments, except that this link is not valid. I've tried accessing this website at different times on multiple days and it still cannot be assessed, every time I click it it says “This site can’t be reached”. When I was finally able to get on the phone with someone she said that the website was down today, when I asked when it would be up again she said that she didn't know and that it’s “not through them”. What does that even mean? How could someone who works in the consulate not know when their pages will be made accessible for the public to make appointments? She then continued to tell me that there are no appointments available until May and I will have to go back again in may to see if there are appointments available, for reference it is April 17th.

The other way I was told to make an appointment is on the agendamentos.mne.gov.pt website. The problem with this website is that it is impossible to navigate: It says that you need to get a digital key in order to make an appointment, physically cannot get this code and there are no customer help or support numbers that I found that I could call for help, I’ve tried four different ways to get this code to continue with this process, and I have my issues with each of them.The website is embedded with non-functioning links, and invalid phone numbers. This authentication process is also absolutely ridiculous.

I downloaded the app, and input my phone number and said it was not valid. So I could not continue with the authentication process. Additionally, there is a instructional video on the website on how to move forward on the app (which I cannot find helpful because it will not accept my phone number, which is the first step)

I followed all the instructions on how to download the plug-in which I did to my laptop. Then when I clicked the continue authentication button it says, “Authentication.Gov plugin not started”, when I went the the difficulties section to get some help it said to check the manufacturer's website of my mac computer, after it led me to complicated “instructional page” that is filled with unreadable code that is impossible to navigate, it says this: “launch the Terminal application and run the command pcsctest” There is no way the average person can understand the instructions listed.

There are in-person service counters listed that are supposed to help you activate the Digital Mobile Key, but they are all service counters in Portugal, which makes no sense If you are currently in New York City looking for assistance.

I am sharing this information in the hope that it can help others who may be experiencing similar difficulties. However, I strongly urge the consulate to consider improving its communication channels and appointment process, as many applicants, including students like myself, are left feeling lost and...

I wish i could give this consulate or the all visa processing a 0 star. the system to track your application does not work. I have email and called many time to have status of my application and nobody even bother responding to emails or give any kind of useful information. The lady keep telling me to go on the website even though a clearly stated that it does not work and sent a screenshot of it. They are so unprofessional. 3 weeks to process a visa is just ridiculous. I am stuck without my passport and no way for me to go anywhere else for my birthday. such a shame, at least they should be professional enough to reply to emails. the all process is disgusting Update

To Whom It May Concern,

I am writing this letter to express my DISGUST about your visa application process. It is unacceptable that in 2018 a Visa process could be so inefficient. 1- First issue was the lack of communication from your offices, and how the people working at the application center have no sense of customer service either on the phone or in person, and their are not even knowledgeable of the process. 2- the application center did tell me that my application could be tracked online, only to tell me again that there is no way to track on application once it is submitted. Being unable to have information on a visa application is a shame to the country you are representing. 3- my travel dates were well stated on the application, and on the copy of my plane ticket. I was supposed to travel from March 21ST to March 27th. How could you possibly call me on March 29th at 355pm saying that my passport is ready for pick but you are closing and the next time to pick the passport is April 3rd between 3 and 4pm (like people work and this time frame is just stupid), for the visa to be only from March 28th to April 17th? What kind of country issue a visa after the travel dates and only barely 3 weeks? Your all application process is a RIPOFF and a big FRAUD. 4- i wasted money and time on a visa that i cannot use. 5- i missed a business trip because my passport was on your possession

I REALLY WISH SOMEONE AT THEIR...

NEVER USE THIS EMBASSY IF YOU'RE TRYING TO GET A SCHENGEN VISA... EVER! THIS EMBASSY IS A SCAM BUILT TO TAKE APPLICATION FEES AND THEN DO NOTHING. IVE HAD BETTER SERVICE IN "UNDERDEVELOPED 3RD WORLD COUNTRIES WITH NO ELECTRICITY AND OR MODERN INFRASTRUCTURE"

If Portugal is your destination buy a ticket to any other EU nation visit for a day or 2 then head to Portugal. Use that itinerary to apply for the visa through that countries embassy.

I recommend this because the Portuguese embassy in NYC is a non functioning entity. They literally do nothing there. They open at 10am and close at 3pm and all they do is order/go for lunch and close for the day. If at all they do anything its to make fake reviews on here and give themselves 5stars. One of the reviews is so lazy its from their own company account. Im not kidding, look at all the other reviews. They had my passport for over 2 months and still nothing not even a denied application (that would mean someone did some work). I had to request for my passport back and forfeit the application fee of $112 (of which $36 was a "service fee" through VFS).

VFS isnt to blame in this situation as they are just a process go between. All they can do is drop off your paperwork at the embassy and wait to hear back from the embassy. Even they cant get the Portuguese embassy on their secret phone line sometimes.

I am so mad google makes you give a minimum of one star because this is a no star place if there ever was one. There is no service what so ever. They don't reply to emails... They literally don't give out their number so you cant call them. It would be the same level of service if there was no office here in NYC. Its a front for legally stealing...