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AIMA confirms that time towards the nationality starts from initial application fee payment

AIMA held a meeting in January with legal representatives to discuss key updates and processing changes for the Portuguese Golden Visa programme in 2025. One of the most significant updates concerned the start date for the residency period required for citizenship. AIMA confirmed that the five-year residency period for citizenship begins on the date of the initial application fee payment. This means that the time elapsed since the application counts toward the five-year residency requirement for citizenship. It also reflects the new management’s commitment to addressing existing delays and inefficiencies within the system.

Launch of AIMA is confirmed on October 29, 2023

The Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum (AIMA) began its work on October 29, 2023. The creation of the new agency responds to the government’s demand for a new reference on reception, integration, and asylum. AIMA will begin its activities with an overall budget of 81 million euros, more than 95% of which will be financed by its own funds 
or European funds.

The launch of AIMA formalizes the separation of police and administrative functions, enabling the implementation of new methods, functionalities, and policies to increase and improve the quality of access to services, enhancing the security of processes and procedures, as well as the trust and credibility of users and society in the system.

AIMA has started its services with 34 service posts around the country and plans to open at least 10 new posts within a year. The agency has received around 347.000 pending cases from SEF and promises to launch an online portal for applications for the concession and renewal of residence permits by the end of the year.

To bring solutions to pending cases, AIMA intends to implement a massive operation to finish pending cases by the end of March 2024, with the help of local authorities and the network of Local Support Centers for the Integration of Migrants, as well as immediate solutions, such as the installation of an AIMA Contact Center and affiliates, to increase the physical presence at service centers.

AIMA will also be implementing services to ensure greater security and effectiveness in issuing documents.

Key Initiatives

By End of 2023:

Launch of AIMA Portal: Streamlining family reunification requests for senior residents, eliminating the need for phone scheduling.

First Quarter of 2024:

Mega Operation to Clear 347.000 Pending Cases: Involvement of local authorities, professional organizations, and Integration Support Centers.
Strategic Plan for Promoting Portuguese Language Among Migrants.

During 2024:

AIMA Portal opens for residence permit applications and renewals.
Establishment of 10 additional service stations.
High-quality telephone call center.
Creation of a multidisciplinary national center to oversee international protection processes and support refugees and asylum seekers throughout their journey in Portugal