Last month, all applicants with pending Golden Visa applications under review by AIMA saw their application status change to “Awaiting Submission.” This sudden update did not go unnoticed by the immigration legal community, which promptly sought clarification from AIMA about the situation.

A communication sent by AIMA directly to the applicants stated that the Golden Visa application process was subject to significant changes. These updates aim to streamline the procedure but have left many applicants and legal representatives seeking clarity. This guide provides an in-depth analysis and practical advice for navigating these new rules to secure a residence permit as efficiently as possible.

The recently updated procedure emphasizes a more digital and chronological approach, prioritizing older applications and introducing mandatory electronic submissions.

One important purpose of this communication from AIMA is to ensure that only active processes in which the applicants are still interested move forward in the system. The measure seeks to identify and close applications that have been abandoned or that, for whatever reason, have not been continued by the investors themselves. In our opinion, it is only destined for applicants who haven’t yet completed their biometric appointment.

By redefining procedures and requesting document updates, the aim is to optimize administrative and procedural resources and avoid a backlog of inactive cases. This approach benefits both the applicants who wish to proceed with their applications and the system by reducing delays and facilitating the management of pending cases.

What are the main procedural changes and what should I do?

1. Online Documentation Requirements

  • Applicants must provide their legal representatives with a complete set of updated certified and legalized documents.
  • Documents issued abroad must be translated into Portuguese or English and certified appropriately.
  • All files must be uploaded in the ARI portal and adhere to a maximum size of 2MB.
  • We recommend that all original documents are sent to your representative.

2. Biometric Appointments

  • After document submission, appointments for in-person biometric collection will be scheduled automatically based on application update dates.
  • These appointments are mandatory and will commence on January 15, 2025.
  • Bring all original uncategorized documents submitted online to the appointment for verification, as well as the application form, copy of all pages of the passport and airplane tickets for everybody in the Family.
  • There will be a prior notice for the appointments of no less than 30 days and not more than 90 days.
  • Due to the substantial number of appointments and for logistic reasons, applicants will not be able to choose the place where the appointment will take place.
  • Applicants that are not able to come to the appointment must present valid justifications (health reasons, lack of visa to enter Portugal to attend the appointment, etc.) and their appointments will only be scheduled for the second semester of 2025.

3. Fee Payments

  • The residence permit fee of 6045,20 € per person is payable during the in-person appointment if the documents uploaded online were submitted in a certified copy form. In case the documents uploaded are not certified, you must bring the original document to the appointment and a fee of €8.060,20 € may be applicable.
  • Payments are accepted only through card transactions (Visa, Mastercard, etc.). Therefore, applicants must ensure they have the necessary funds to proceed with this payment.
  • Ensure all transactions comply with your bank’s authorisation for foreign payments. We recommend using the Portuguese bank account for this payment.

What is the impact of these changes for future Applicants?

Future applicants will benefit from a more streamlined process but must adhere to stricter submission requirements. Here are the key takeaways for prospective applicants:

  1. Complete Documentation at Initial Submission: Unlike the previous system, where partial documentation was often sufficient to start the process, the new system mandates that all documents be uploaded at the beginning.
  2. Certification and Legalization Are Essential: Documents must be certified and apostilled (if applicable) before submission;
  3. Reduced Delays: The upfront requirement for complete documentation is designed to minimize delays in scheduling biometric appointments and processing applications.
  4. Documents can be submitted in English.

What are the Anticipated Outcomes and Timelines?

The revamped system’s digital focus and enhanced resources, such as increased appointment capacity (up to 6,000 daily), promise reduced processing times. However, applicants should anticipate potential delays due to the large volume of pending applications.

What are the consequences if I don’t do anything?

It is important to note that the case can be considered abandoned if no action is taken within the reasonable timeframe (6 months, as currently interpreted). In this case, a new application must be submitted under the rules in force at the time.

Conclusions

The new Golden Visa process reflects AIMA’s efforts to modernize and expedite applications. While the changes demand rigorous compliance with documentation and scheduling requirements, adhering to these guidelines will facilitate a smoother pathway to securing a residence permit in Portugal. Applicants are strongly advised to work closely with their legal representatives to complete all steps accurately and efficiently.