In October 2023, Portugal’s immigration system entered a new era with the dissolution of SEF and the creation of AIMA. This change aims to streamline the process, enhancing Portugal’s Golden Visa program, making it more efficient and responsive to growing demand.
This pivotal change aims to improve the country’s immigration processes, particularly as demand for programs like the Portugal Golden Visa continues to surge.
In 2024, AIMA reported a significant increase in Portugal’s Golden Visa applications, leading to processing delays. However, the agency has made significant strides in optimizing its operations to manage the growing demand.
While backlogs persist, AIMA’s newly formed task force, along with the government’s push for digitalization, signals a positive shift toward resolving these challenges.
All You Need to Know about AIMA
What is AIMA?
AIMA, the Agency for Integration, Migration, and Asylum, was established as part of the restructuring of Portugal’s border control system, which now separates police functions from administrative functions in migration and asylum matters. Previously, both functions were managed by the Foreigners and Borders Service (SEF).
What are AIMA’s specific responsibilities?
AIMA is tasked with handling all aspects of immigration in Portugal, including:
- Residence Permits: Processing and issuing various types of residence permits for foreign citizens, based on employment, investment, or family ties.
- Visa Applications: Handling visa applications for individuals seeking entry to Portugal for short-term stays or longer-term residency.
- Refugee Matters: Processing asylum applications and providing support to refugees and asylum seekers.
- Portuguese Citizenship: Overseeing the naturalization process for foreign citizens seeking Portuguese citizenship.
Where is AIMA located?
AIMA operates with 34 service desks nationwide, with plans to open at least 10 additional desks within a year. The headquarters is located on Avenida António Augusto de Aguiar, Lisbon.
Does AIMA offer online services?
AIMA launched an online portal for family reunification requests, eliminating the need for phone appointments. The portal accommodates applications for new and renewed residence permits.
Why was SEF replaced?
The decision to replace SEF stemmed from a desire to streamline immigration processes, improve efficiency, and enhance transparency. SEF faced criticism for bureaucratic delays, inconsistencies, and allegations of corruption. AIMA aims to address these issues by implementing a more transparent and efficient system.
What is the difference between AIMA and SEF?
The key difference between AIMA and SEF lies in their scope. SEF served as both an immigration administration agency and a borders service. AIMA focuses solely on the administrative side, issuing documents and promoting immigrant integration, while border control duties have shifted to police forces.
AIMA and the Portugal’s Golden Visa
AIMA, the Portuguese Immigration and Borders Service, is actively working to enhance its efficiency and reduce processing times for various immigration applications, including the popular Portugal’s Golden Visa program. To address the growing backlog and improve service delivery, the Portuguese government has taken several significant steps:
- New Service Centers: The government is establishing new service centers across the country, including a major hub in Lisbon. These centers will provide linguistic support, integrate resources from various public entities, and involve social security and immigrant associations.
- Regulatory Reforms: To streamline the process further, the government has implemented various reforms, including:
- Adjustments to the judicial framework for foreign citizens
- Changes to the citizenship law
- Stricter deadlines for AIMA to process applications
- New regulations for EU citizens seeking residency in Portugal
These measures aim to improve efficiency, enhance support for immigrants, and ensure compliance with legal obligations. In addition to these broader reforms, AIMA is specifically focused on accelerating the processing of Portugal’s Golden Visa applications. Key initiatives include:
- Recruitment Drive: AIMA has hired 300 new staff members to increase its processing capacity.
- Capacity Expansion: The agency has increased its response capacity by 25% and opened new regional offices to further enhance efficiency.
- Backlog Reduction: AIMA aims to clear the entire backlog of Golden Visa applications by July 2025.
These efforts, coupled with a more streamlined system, are expected to significantly reduce processing times for Portugal’s Golden Visa applications. While delays in obtaining a Portuguese passport may persist, the overall outlook for Golden Visa applicants is positive. Portugal’s commitment to a more efficient and welcoming immigration process, combined with the attractiveness of the Portugal’s Golden Visa program, continues to make it a compelling choice for individuals seeking European residency and citizenship.
Sources:
https://www.portugal.gov.pt/pt/gc23/comunicacao/noticia?i=migracoes-e-asilo-perguntas-e-respostas
https://www.portugalportfolio.com/aima-or-sef-reporting-guests-in-portugal-made-easy
https://www.beportugal.com/sef-replaced-by-aima/
https://www.lvpadvogados.com/sef-replaced-by-aima-starting-29th-october