AIMA Rejects Residency Applications After "SIS Falta"

More than 33,000 foreign residents in Portugal have had their residency applications rejected by the Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum (AIMA)

According to alarming new data released by the AIMA and the Portuguese Government. The sudden acceleration in rejections comes just weeks after thousands of applicants received “Falta” (missing document) emails, warning them of potential denial due to incomplete files or past legal irregularities.

⚠️ Thousands Now Face Deportation

At a press conference detailing the first year of the Government’s Action Plan for Migration, Minister of the Presidency António Leitão Amaro confirmed:

“We had 18,000 rejections, but now they are almost 24,000, and notifications are being sent at a rate of nearly 2,000 per day.”

The total number of rejection processes now stands at 33,983, and the Ministry warned that, unless legal grounds are provided for review, these individuals will receive voluntary deportation notices under Portuguese law.

Breakdown of Rejected Applications by Nationality

Nationality	Rejected Applications
🇮🇳 India	13,466
🇧🇷 Brazil	5,386
🇧🇩 Bangladesh	3,750
🇳🇵 Nepal	3,279
🇵🇰 Pakistan	3,005
🇩🇿 Algeria	1,054
🇲🇦 Morocco	603
🇨🇴 Colombia	236
🇻🇪 Venezuela	234
🇦🇷 Argentina	180
🌍 Other Nationalities	2,790
🔴 TOTAL	33,983

The total pool of applications processed so far is 184,059, putting the rejection rate at 18.5% — nearly 1 in 5 applications.

🇵🇹 Legal Fallout and Human Impact

The wave of rejections follows months of frustration over the backlog inherited from SEF (Foreigners and Borders Service), which was dismantled in 2023.

Many applicants report they received no prior appointments or clarification, and the current “semi-automatic” system means AI-generated rejections are now a major part of the process.

“The process is now semi-automated and has become faster. Unless another legal basis is found, these individuals will be notified to leave the country voluntarily,” said Minister Amaro.

Under Portuguese law, voluntary departure is given a short grace period before coercive measures, including deportation and entry bans, may be applied.

Concerns from Rights Groups

Human rights organizations and legal observers are raising red flags about due process, transparency, and the risk of mass expulsions without proper legal recourse.

“Many of these people have been living and working in Portugal for years, contributing to society, and now face expulsion because of missing documents or systemic failures,” said a representative from a migrant advocacy group.

What’s Next?

The Government maintains that applicants may still present additional documentation or request legal review, but time is running out.

If you or someone you know has received a “Falta” or rejection notice, it is urgently advised to seek legal counsel and consult with a registered immigration advisor or lawyer.