AIMA: Changes in the Golden Visa Process

The Portuguese Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum (AIMA) has introduced updates to the Golden Visa application process, aiming to streamline procedures by prioritising older requests and enabling electronic processing of residence permit applications. Known formally as the Residence Permit for Investment (ARI), the Portuguese Golden Visa is undergoing significant changes to enhance efficiency.

Under the current process, applicants and their legal representatives are required to update and complete their applications through the ARI portal. This step precedes the formal residence permit request and complies with Article 65-D, paragraph 16, of Regulatory Decree No. 84/2007, dated from the 5th of November.

Key points include:

• Transition of Applications: Pending applications marked as under analysis or accepted on the ARI portal will automatically move to an awaiting submission status, enabling applicants to update their documentation.
• Documentation Updates: All required documents must be valid, legalised (if issued abroad), translated into Portuguese or English, and certified where applicable. Non-certified documents must be presented in original form during the in-person appointment.
• Submission Requirements: Documentation must be uploaded for both investors and their family members. Individual files should not exceed 2MB; larger documents should be divided before submission.
  

Once applications are updated, AIMA will automatically schedule appointments for biometric data collection and in-person verification.

• Appointments will commence on 15th of January 2025 and will be scheduled in chronological order based on application updates.
• Appointments must occur no less than 30 days and no more than 90 days from the date of scheduling.
• In exceptional, justified cases where attendance is not possible, appointments will be rescheduled for the second half of 2025.
• Applicants may not have the option to select their preferred AIMA office, as scheduling will consider flow management and family unit size.
  

During the in-person appointment:

• Biometric data will be collected, and the applicant's presence in Portugal will be confirmed, as stipulated in Article 77, paragraph 1, subparagraph c of Law No. 23/2007, dated from 4th of July.
• The initial application, passport, and any non-certified documentation previously uploaded must be presented for validation.
  

All fees related to the process must be paid at the in-person appointment:

• Payments will be processed exclusively via POS (Point of Sale). Applicants should ensure they have the necessary prior authorisation from their banking institution for the transaction.