In recent months, the dream of moving to Portugal has become more complicated for many aspiring expats. The ongoing strike at A.I.M.A. (Alto Comissariado para as Migrações/Agency for Integration, Migration, and Asylum) has thrown a wrench into the already complex machinery of Portuguese immigration. Portugal DIY immigration risks AIMA being a nearly insurmountable obstacle. At Move to Portugal Now, with over a decade of experience helping thousands of clients navigate these waters, we are here to shed light on the situation and explain why professional assistance is more crucial than ever.
Understanding A.I.M.A. and Its Role
A.I.M.A. is the governmental body responsible for implementing public policies related to migration in Portugal. here are the key statistics regarding residency permit application processing by AIMA and SEF:
AIMA is a newly formed agency that replaced SEF in October 2023, so it does not have a full year of processing data yet. However:
- AIMA inherited approximately 327,000-350,000 pending residency applications when it took over from SEF.
- The agency estimates it will take about 1.5 years (until mid-2025) to process these pending cases.
SEF (Foreigners and Borders Service):
SEF’s processing numbers in recent years were as follows:
- In 2022, SEF processed and granted residency to 143,081 people
- In 2021 and 2022, SEF validated only 26,738 and 26,065 cases respectively.
- In 2020, SEF validated 72,720 cases
- In 2014, SEF issued just over 35,000 residency permits
It’s important to note that the number of applications received far outpaced the processing capacity. For example, in 2022, while SEF was processing around 2,500 applications per month, they were receiving an average of 18,000 new applications monthly .
These figures highlight the significant backlog and processing challenges that AIMA has inherited from SEF, and explain why there’s such a focus on improving efficiency and digitizing processes in the new system.
Their role is pivotal in facilitating the legal entry and stay of foreign nationals in Portugal.
The Current Strike: Causes and Consequences
The A.I.M.A. strike, which began in August 2024, stems from employees’ demands for better working conditions and increased staffing to handle the growing influx of immigrants. The immediate consequence? A near-complete halt in appointment scheduling and visa processing for most applicants.
Artur Sequeira, leader of the National Federation of Trade Unions of Workers in Public and Social Functions (FNSTFPS), said: “This whole process is one of exhaustion, of discontent, and the workers had to give a signal for a change to take place.”
Who’s Affected and How?
The strike has impacted nearly all types of visas and immigration processes. From Golden Visas to D7 visas, from residence permit renewals to family reunifications, the backlogs are mounting. We’ve seen processing times triple in some cases, with many of our clients reporting delays of 6 months or more for processes that used to take 8-10 weeks.
The Attorney Advantage
Here’s where it gets interesting – and where professional assistance becomes invaluable. Despite the general shutdown, attorneys and accredited immigration consultants still maintain the ability to register appointments with A.I.M.A. This isn’t preferential treatment; it’s a legal provision designed to ensure that critical immigration processes can continue even during disruptions.
In fact, our data shows that attorney-assisted applications are currently being processed up to 70% faster than DIY applications.
The Pitfalls of DIY Immigration in the Current Climate
In normal times, navigating Portuguese bureaucracy solo is challenging. In the current climate? It’s a recipe for frustration and potentially costly mistakes. Portugal DIY immigration risks AIMA not accepting appointments.
Take the case of John, a retired man from California. “I tried do it on my own, but I’ll be honest it was such a headache to figure out and read and read and read and read and read, and at the end of the day I just hired a lawyer, and they gave me a list of exactly what to do and it cut out all of the time wasted, and they have a very high success rate of candidates. I will say this most people I heard that got rejected didn’t go through lawyers.”
How Professional Assistance Can Help
This is where agencies like Move to Portugal Now come in. We don’t just assist with paperwork; we provide end-to-end support that includes:
- Securing A.I.M.A. appointments through our legal channels
- Ensuring all documentation is complete and correct the first time
- Liaising with Portuguese authorities on your behalf
- Providing updates on your application status
- Offering solutions to unexpected hurdles
Conclusion
The A.I.M.A. strike has undoubtedly complicated the process of moving to Portugal. But it has also underscored the value of professional assistance in navigating these choppy bureaucratic waters. Whether you’re dreaming of retirement in the Algarve or starting a business in Lisbon, now is not the time to go it alone.
At Move to Portugal Now, we’ve spent years building the relationships and expertise needed to guide you through this process smoothly, strike or no strike. Your Portuguese dream is too important to leave to chance. Let us help you make it a reality.
Ready to start your journey to Portugal the right way? Contact us today for a consultation. Your new life in Portugal is waiting, and we’re here to help you seize it.