AIMA has introduced a dedicated page addressing common inquiries about residence permits, asylum applications, Portuguese language learning, and access to healthcare and education for foreign minors. The initiative aims to provide clear and accessible information to support immigrants in Portugal.
Is it possible to travel with an extended residence permit after the original date on which it expired? How and where can I renew my Residence Permit? And if I lose my residence permit, what do I do? These and other questions are on the Frequently Asked Questions page of the Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum (AIMA) portal, launched this Thursday (13/2).
The page has seven topics: International Protection, Learning Portuguese as a Non-Native Language, Registration of Foreign Minors, Transitional Regime, Residence Permits and Reception. Most of them are only in Portuguese. Only two are translated: the one referring to the transitional regime, which is in Portuguese and English, and the one on international protection, in Portuguese, English, French, Ukrainian, Arabic, Hindi and Mandarin.
The transitional regime is related to people who, before June 4, 2024, when the Foreigners Law was modified, had made some contribution to Social Security and could have expressed their interest. Among the two responses presented is the information that the regime covers immigrants who are self-employed - the so-called green receipts.
Answers The first answer concerns traveling with an expired residence permit and the answer is that, although the extension was decided by the Portuguese government, it is only valid within the territory of Portugal. This period until June is not recognized by other countries, which puts anyone traveling in this situation at risk.
The renewal of residence permits must be done in person at one of the offices of the Institute of Registries and Notaries (IRN) after scheduling an appointment. The page provides a link to the IRN's frequently asked questions website.
If the residence permit was returned by mail and is delivered in person at an AIMA counter, the information is that this will incur an additional cost of €28.70 (around 170 reais). And, to change the data on the residence permit, the instruction is to schedule an appointment by phone and email - currently, one of the biggest complaints from immigrants is related to the difficulty of contacting AIMA by phone and that the agency does not respond to emails sent.
The question regarding how to apply for the counting of time to obtain Portuguese citizenship is also answered. There is a link to a form that must be submitted at the store closest to the immigrant's residence. In the section that talks about the registration of minors, the information is that this is necessary so that children and adolescents have the right to education and health.
It provides an electronic address to make the registration request where the immigrant will receive a list of documents necessary for this registration. Once the process is completed, a document will be issued with the name Credencial de Registro de Menores (Children's Registration Credential), to be presented at schools and health centers, and hospitals.
Asylum and other situations. In applications for asylum and international protection, the text explains in which situations this status can be requested and who will make the decision. It can only be made in Portuguese territory and there is no information on response times by the responsible authorities in Portugal.
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