A residence permit, for someone waiting, is often a card that should already have arrived. Three conversations on Imigrantes de Sucesso sit in that wait. None of them describes renewing a card that was already issued.
Jesse, on episode 12, says at 41:07 that he does not have the residence card, even though he works here and pays tax. At 43:30 the card still had not arrived. It is the first issue.
Marcelo Ventura, on episode 4, around 1:17:49, describes getting a residence card: either you know someone who knows someone, or you pay far more than a lawyer would normally charge. The lawyers were fully booked.
Charles, on episode 2, had already quit his job and handed over the house. At 15:14, at the university, they asked for a European passport. He answers that he is only Brazilian. At 15:59, after three months, the visa had not come through.
Em três meses não saiu o visto.
15:59
At 15:14, at the university, they ask for his European passport. Charles answers: «Sou só brasileiro.» He had already quit his job and given up the house. At 15:59: «Em três meses não saiu o visto.»
Ou você conhece alguém que conhece alguém.
1:17:49
Around 1:17:49, Marcelo describes two ways to reach a residence card: «Ou você conhece alguém que conhece alguém», or a fee much higher than a lawyer would normally charge. The lawyers were fully booked. What is at stake is the residence card, the lawyer, the queue.
I don't have the resident permit card now.
41:07
At 41:07, Jesse says: «I don't have the resident permit card now.» He works here and pays tax. He filed the paperwork in June and July of the previous year. At 43:30: «I still haven't got my card.» It is the wait for the first card.