en 
According to the newspaper 'Expresso', Lisbon was where the largest number of cases were filed, but Porto (484), Loulé (339), and Leiria (215) follow: there are 240 cases in higher courts and one has even reached the Supreme Court. Most of the cases against AIMA, explained the newspaper, are “subpoenas to defend rights, freedoms and guarantees” brought by immigrants who have been fighting for months for a decision on legalisation requests in Portugal.
Complainants hand over between 800 and 1,000 euros to lawyers to advance their complaint, which allows them to reduce the usual two-year wait for a Residence Permit to less than two months – when accepted by the judge, the subpoenas oblige AIMA to decide quickly on the legalisation request presented by the immigrant.
“This method began to be used during the first part of 2023, during the validity of the SEF, and has become more widespread as it becomes better known”, indicated AIMA. “The processes are linked to delays in handling procedures that began long before the existence of AIMA, and which have now been reorganised internally to ensure a timely response to court processes.” The more than 7,600 complaints are a drop in the ocean when compared to the more than 400,000 still pending, 350,000 of which were inherited from SEF.
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A complete disgrace. Instead of putting in a plan to resolve this, and procedures and systems in place urgently, the former PS government was happy to create this nightmare. Both wasting the Portugal taxpayers money in litigation and the frustration , energy and money of immigrants. The only winners as usual are the lawyers. An automatic system of renewal needs to be created - the stress and broken promises to so many (including those who have made investments of large sums into the economy) are an embarrassment and injustice. They have also removed the automatic renewal process and made the problem even worse. How to do they intend to resolve 400 000 cases when they seem to process a few thousand each month, or perhaps less?
By Jo Walker from Lisbon on 07 May 2024, 08:55
Just more incompetent, ineffective beauracracy. Change the name, spend tens of thousands of euros on new paperwork and signage but don't resolve the issues that need to be dealt with. 1000 euros for a solicitor to fast track? They must be rubbing their hands together and hope the government don't change the status quo!
By David Clark from Algarve on 07 May 2024, 09:00
Aima is shame for the country! Every day sending email, calls, no answer. I am trying this since May 2023...
By Ivan Jelic from Porto on 07 May 2024, 10:47
I am gobsmacked that the number of complaints is so low! If they process complaints like they process residency renewal applications the number is probably 100 times larger.
As has been alluded to previously 'mafias' are buying up the slots then migrants paying over the odds to get an appointment, which corrupt official is selling them however. Ministry response is to 'monitor' the situation!! I suppose everyone needs their bite of the apple before any action taken.
Why renewals can't be made on line beggars belief, especially as AIMA has apparently added 50,000 to the waiting list in the last 6 months, rather than reduce the number.
If anyone is starting a class action against AIMA and the government please publish contact details, I have spoken to EU, UK Consulate and they say the only pressure is via direct action.
By Matthew from Other on 07 May 2024, 12:50
I have never understood why we need biometrics appointments for renewals. It isn't as though our fingerprints changed, nor even our faces after two years. Everything else can be submitted online. If they eliminated this ridiculous biometrics requirement, the whole backlog could clear quickly and the system would run smoothly thereafter.
By Lourenço from Lisbon on 07 May 2024, 13:36
Well I have to say that I’ve tried everything.
Bar the lawyers.(it’s not about the money it’s about responsibility and respect)
Wha!!!t is actually going to happen!!! on the 30/06/24 when the AIMA extension concludes…
I’m mean really… I’m not looking at world peace or to stop oil drilling in Antarctica..
I just need a reference number and a emailed document from the government agencies to say that they are ‘proceeding with my application’ ; and that they will deal with it accordingly.
But actually I really need any information on what happens when you travel abroad on a plane with an expired residency card.??????
Anyone??????
By Luc from Other on 07 May 2024, 16:10
Internationally, Portugal is seen as having some welcoming routes for immigrants at both ends of the economic scale but simply appalling in executing the necessary bureaucratic processes. This deters many who have responded to the allure of the country and its advantages.
Yet another minister saying "we're working on it" offers little encouragement.
By Paul Rees from Beiras on 07 May 2024, 17:06
No disgrace, bureaucracy or incompetence at all. It is a very clever Latin Blood driven well thought out tactic namely. Since it has been ‘collectively’ agreed by the Portuguese, that placing Portugal up for sale <MT (Mass Tourism), Golden Visa(s), NHR (Non-Habitual Resident) regime, The Digital Nomad Visa or D7 Visa, Sephardic Jewish Ancestry Visa, Portuguese Language Proficiency Visa, Golden Visa for Portuguese-Speaking Countries, Golden Visa for Brazil, Work Visas, Student Visas, to name potential but a few, BUT no real plan, coordination, discipled researched, studied approach nor a single care for the ‘local' population i.e. inviting the whole world local and centralised ‘political' approach to come and take a piece of a small country that generally and financially speaking was already one of the poorest low income in Europe, we devised this change and created Administrative chaos to delay the inevitable Portuguese unrest and unhealthy, unsafe uprise.
By Miguel from Lisbon on 07 May 2024, 17:17
Now we have to hire a lawyer?
The system is broken, no fixes.
Sounds like extortion whereby I have to hire an attorney to “fast track”
By A V from Algarve on 07 May 2024, 18:52
They wouldn't dare automate the immigration procedure.
It would be total chaos.
IMT can't even get a website that works for re validation of a Portuguese driving licence.4 trips to the Citadao Loja before I got it done.
Think of all the old farts who work in these places who have a job for life.
By Peter from Other on 08 May 2024, 10:47
I'm waiting since December for my residence card as an EU citizen. Not really needed it's just for the convince. How can you get this huge backlog with modern day software and networks? Or do they still use pen and paper?
By Lior from Lisbon on 08 May 2024, 15:43
Our residency card expired last November (2023) Don't qualify for online renewal, why? No appointments available period.. Wait what? Never..for eternity...? This is ridiculous, there has to be a class action case forcing AIMA to get it together. I travel using my passport with no problem. However I imagine if I refused to pay Portuguese taxes they would be on me right away. Maybe we all should withhold paying them until our residency is renewed. . Hmm
By Cheryl from Other on 08 May 2024, 16:14
I wait since 13 december 2023 for an answer if I can have NHR. Sending email i receive the following answer. First come is first come out principe , you file is under investigation.
By Philippe from Algarve on 09 May 2024, 14:01
I've been waiting 1 year for a replacement residency card. Not a renewal, just a simple easy peasy replacement for a lost/stolen card. I have emailed, written letters, phoned & visited everybody I can think of and still nothing arrives in the post. The replacement card has been approved, nothing to think about or do really. Just send the necessaries to the printers before I have a nervous breakdown worrying about whether my son (who was born here) can have a future in Portugal when he finishes school shortly.
By sam from Beiras on 09 May 2024, 16:12
Only 50 complaints per day!
Somebody has fudged those numbers - more like 500/day!
By Stephen Rate from Alentejo on 09 May 2024, 16:55
I was granted temporary residency at SEF Lisboa on March 29, 2023.
At the time it was explained that within 3-4 weeks , I would be moving from a temporary address to a permanent address. There was little or no interest in this fact, although delivery of the card was advised to be about 3 weeks.
You can guess (some of) the rest, although by September, ACM's intervention did seem to be getting somewhere. Then SEF expired as did ACM's involvement.
I have tried contacting AIMA with ZERO success. Nada.
I wouldn't necessarily care - although doing all that has been asked of me and paying good money for the privilege does grate. It means IMT won't issue my Portuguese Driving Licence and Saúde can't give me a permanent Utente number.
Remind me again how AIMA was the answer? At least SEF (sometimes) profferred information - albeit begrudgingly.
By M L Woollatt from Lisbon on 09 May 2024, 18:46
I attended my renewal appointment in January my card expired in February. I have a family gathering to join in September and will fail my family if I can't travel because AIMA can't issue my card as it's in process? Process for what???? Everything was done and paid for just ISSUE the damn card now! Do they realize they are affecting families here in Portugal and abroad? I regret coming to this country, pictures painted to draw foreigners here and when it's time for them to do their part, which I paid for they cant even do their part? I bought a property and pay my taxes, work for this ridiculous low pay and doing my bot to keep this country going. The Portuguese are living up to their reputation of being lazy , self centered and slow! There you font disappoint, rather take lunch, sick time and be entitled than being like my country of origin where we will work extra and harder to get any backlog resolved as we are proud to deliver and resolve issues. Government has mo clue, they just don't care, money making scams and just full of excuses, that's why Portugal will always remain a poor dysfunctional country because there is no sense of urgency and no empathy! Just likes you when you can give your hard earned funds from another country and then throw you out like a peace of trash! I will definitely not recommend anyone to come to Portugal as long as this AIMA incompletely is not resolved! Such a disappointment and rude awakening! Useless!!!!!!!
By Nadine Parsons from Lisbon on 10 May 2024, 06:01
Can someone explain to me why it's so important to get your residency renewed? I understand if you are a newcomer and applying for the first time, but if you've already had a 2 or 5 year temporary residency card issued, what's the big stress about renewing it? I mean you're already here. You already have an SNS number and social security. You can travel with your passport. I spent 8 years living here with an expired residency card and never once found it to be a problem.
By Henry from Lisbon on 11 May 2024, 07:47
Henry..luck and nativity isn’t perhaps a long term approach.
There is an Aussie saying ‘hope for the best, plan for the worst’.
You make one mistake’ meet the wrong offical and you can be taken to a detention centre and eventually deported. With a big red stamp in your passport!!!
I was ‘detained’ leaving the MotoGP last month because a very stressed officer stopped me asked me for details and didn’t ‘like the cut of my Jib’…
Eventually after three hrs in an interview cabin I was released Because!!! The law was on my side(extension 30/06) and he had no choice.
And It was just a regular traffic stop.
Be careful Henry ..
By Luc from Other on 11 May 2024, 12:34
How can we be held responsible for not being able to renew our residence visa when AIMA does not function? I would not worry about it except I plan to travel and then return to Portugal. In addition, it is necessary to have a valid residence visa when using various services such as visiting a doctor. This is a scandal and a disgrace! The bureaucracy is functioning like a third-world country!
By William Dominik from Lisbon on 17 May 2024, 10:28
It has been 4 to 5 months for me to wait for family appointment...and it will take time for the family appointment to open...this person is facing so much trouble...you family appointment people, please give the appointment...this person has to buy family appointment also from 500 € to 700 € in Portugal...and there is not that much salary in Portugal...please get it done as quickly as possible
By Amanjot singh from Algarve on 05 Jul 2024, 15:41
We have been trying to get an appointment for family reunification for 9 months calling each day over the phone as it is the only way! after this we have done the fingerprints and since that day we are waiting for another 7 months with no answer to our (emails, calls, postal letters). We've also canceled all our planned travels for this summer because of these delays and still waiting...
By Pedro from Lisbon on 09 Jul 2024, 08:50