Portugal News

The Migration Technicians Union (STM) expressed concern on Monday about the lack of human resources at the Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum (AIMA) and warned of the “lack of a consistent immigration policy”.

“It should be noted that, unquestionably, all matters related to AIMA employees have a direct impact on the service, reception and integration of foreign citizens who seek us out,” said the STM, in a statement.

Company specialized in immigration confirms the flood of accumulated processes in the Central Records of Portugal

More than 1,700 immigrants await the result of applications for Portuguese citizenship made by the company specialized in immigration Citizenship4U.

The total represents an increase of more than 250% in a year. In January 2024, the company was responsible for 482 citizenship processes filed in Portugal.

This movement is verified in other companies specialized and directly in the Central Registry Office, which concentrates the processes.

This calculation includes 440,000 immigrants who are in the service phase, 220,000 CPLP citizens and 50,000 investors who have resorted to the Gold Visas. Promise is to zero pending until June 30.

Last year, almost 2,300 asylum requests were registered in Portugal, which represents a reduction of 13% compared to 2023.

According to the newspaper Público , which cites data from the Portuguese Council for Refugees, the decline was related to the routes of migratory flows and international crises.

In 2024 there were applicants of 78 nationalities, from countries such as Afghanistan, Venezuela or Senegal.

Portugal is one of the few countries in Western Europe that considers immigration, including the entry of foreign workers into the country, as something positive. This is the opinion of 39% of Portuguese people, according to the most recent global survey by the Gallup International Association (GIA), carried out by Intercampus at a national level.

In total, of the 446 thousand pending processes, around 10 thousand residence permit cards have already been issued, after the investigation was completed.

The Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum (AIMA)  will notify 76,000 immigrants in the coming days that their requests for regularization have been rejected, in a first package of notifications of this type, the president of the institution announced today.

Family reunification of immigrants, as provided for by law, remains a priority for the current government, but with limitations. This was stated by Rui Armindo Freitas, Deputy Secretary of State for the Presidency. In an interview with Diário de Notícias, he admitted that "it is a right that requires regulation".

According to the Secretary of State, the vacancy system will continue, that is, there will be no full access to the right. "8,500 vacancies have been created, but we are doing a difficult job, which is to first find out what capacity Portugal has," he said.

Starting today (14) immigrants with a residence permit from the Community of Portuguese-Speaking Countries will be given guidance on how to renew their documents. 

In this correspondence, you will be sent a link to the portal, where you will need to revalidate your account, change your password and log in again. The website will have a button that says "pay" to generate the Single Collection Document (DUC) for the amount of 56.89 euros. Then, simply make the payment within the period specified in the email.

In an interview with Diário de Notícias/DN Brasil, the Deputy Secretary of State for the Presidency, Rui Armindo Freitas, answers some of the questions that most concern immigrants in Portugal.

Specifically, why are residence permit renewals no longer carried out via the website? It was a service that came from the old SEF and was one of the few things that worked very well. 

Call will begin next week, according to the Minister of the Presidency of the Council of Ministers, António Leitão Amaro. At least 220,000 citizens will benefit from the new residence permit.