I applied from Portugal on and it took 5 weeks for my approval. So you aren't alone. In that time I sent a weekly email asking updates or if any additional info was needed(all unanswered) and after the 4 week mark I called the embassy. They told me to call back later in the day and when I did, none of my 10 calls went through. So I sent another email that day with the subject of " APPLICATION NOT PROCESSED - UPCOMING FLIGHT." I received an approval email about 3 hours later (workcation route). So maybe you just have to aggressively follow up like I did. Unfortunately.

I just got approved going the Workcation route. If you don't have a remote job, you choose the soft power option. Applying is simple - you just have to upload the requested documents in the portal. I think paying someone could be somewhat of a rip off depending on how much they charge and if they are guaranteeing acceptance. People say a Table of Contents helps for their file uploads but I was approved without one.

UPDATE - I coincidentally got approved yesterday after 5 weeks. Throughout this time sent about 5 emails which were all unanswered. I had a friend email the higher ups on Sunday, March 8th. I was able to reach someone on the phone once yesterday morning, who told me to call back later in the day for an update when her colleague returned. Of course, the phones were disconnected by the time that I was told to call back (2pm) and none of my 10 call attempts even rang. Asked a friend to call in case I was blocked for some reason, and they got an automated message of unavailability. After sending my 7th email with an altered subject (DTV APPLICATION NOT APPROVED SINCE - UPCOMING FLIGHT), I got my approval email 4 hours later. Glad I finally got approved but the process was ridiculous. For all I know, the escalation was the only reason that it happened.

Portugal may be the worst. I applied on and there have been zero updates for my application despite having a flight in April. Emailed multiple times and called...no response.

Thanks and good luck to your bf. I'm in Portugal so I imagine it will just take longer here like everything else bureaucratic. Guess I'll have to wait and see

Thanks for sharing. I'm still waiting on an update after submitting my application on . Going the workcation route. When did you apply?