I just got a few requests, but my job is keeping me busy enough. Now I'm wondering if it makes sense to start your own agency still in 2026. After all, most people can vibe code what they need. It is only the leads I've got now that make me think...
I'm a product engineer with 10 YOE, so my skills are good. I know some juniors, too.
Most requests I get are way easy, too.
What do you guys think?
Hi everyone, I'm just wondering if there is a benefit to doing the mock exams or how to study. I know there are many books around and some of them are official recommendations, so of course those are a priority. Does anyone have experience with them?
Otherwise, how did you prepare for your exams? Would you recommend paying for mock exams? Are there apps or platforms out there (beyond Duolingo)?
I know a German as a foreign language teacher, but they are my friend and I won't hire them. We joked about selling mock exams that they would create because they have so much experience with it. I guess something like this already exists?
It got a bit long, and I'm trying to actively improve it although I'm not looking for a new job right now. What should I focus on while working in my current position to gather better points going forward and which parts are too much right now to keep?
I'm not looking for magazines, but literally photographers posting on their own site. Mostly talking about experiences, or somehow personal stories of their craft, maybe sharing techniques or even reviewing equipment. As long as it's not purely advertising.
(Feel free to plug you own blogs, by the way!)
I've been pestering this subreddit for a while now and it has finally happened: Our visa was refused after a long back and forth with multiple Embassies.
I'm a German citizen with a Russian wife. We applied for a Schengen visa to Portugal under Directive 2004/38/EC, because I wanted to stay for two months with my friend.
The following happened over the course of ~4-5 weeks.
We live in Georgia, and that was the first cause of trouble.
In Georgia, there is no Portuguese Embassy. Instead, the German Embassy is responsible. I called them several times because they had no available appointments. They did not pick up the phone, and also did not respond to any emails.
After we got an appointment – nearly a month later – they escorted my wife straight out. We are legally residing in Georgia, but the residence status was unattainable for us so far. I thought fine, because their website claims that "anyone who has legally resided in the country for more than six months" can apply with them.
I've tried to get another appointment through Article 6(2) Visa Code which grants exemptions for people like her; who cannot return to their home country due to various reasons (let's not go into details). They simply claimed such an article does not exist.
After that, we got in touch with the Portuguese Embassy in Ankara. They initially refused us as well, but eventually granted such an exemption through that law.
My wife travelled there, submitted a REALLY extensive application (because we were so worried!), and we had hope again. A week later, they started demanding various additional documents: new flight tickets, because they wanted us to depart from and return to Turkey (where we don't live!), a proof of residence (even though we had an exemption), and a notarized statement of responsibility by our friend.
I submitted as much of that as I could, bought new tickets, and informed them that I was responsible for my wife; not my friend. He was just giving us a place to sleep – that's all, and if necessary, I'd book a hotel.
Now comes the best part.
They immediately refused the visa application.
According to them, the right to demand additional documents was derived from "serious doubts," and those serious doubts are because I had not submitted additional documents!
They also claim that the visa was refused because they did not have any proof of us traveling together, even though all the flight tickets were booked together, and both letters (mine and my friend's) clearly stated that travel concerned both of us.
I've spent almost €3000 so far, hopefully getting a lot of that refunded slowly.
Let's just recap that we are stupid for trying too hard.
Hi everyone, I'm struggling to resolve this with them. I've already contacted Your Europe and I am awaiting a response. The Embassy keeps insisting that we need to submit a "Term of Responsibility" notarized by a Portuguese lawyer and signed by the friend that we are visiting in Portugal.
But since we successfully filed under the EU Free Movement Directive, I'd believe this to be untrue. I'm afraid of pushing back further now, but I cannot expect my friend to sign such a document. That seems excessive.
I've cited Visa Code Handbook I, Part 3, Section 4.7.3. to them.
I am also confused by their last email, they said:
"A visa applicant that has a term of responsibility signed by a citizen a Member State of the EU does not need to have this citizen to provide means of subsistence or accommodation."