One of the most common questions among foreigners living in Portugal is: “How do I get an appointment with AIMA?”

Whether you are applying for a residence permit, renewing your residency card, or waiting to complete your visa process, securing an AIMA appointment can sometimes be challenging.

Many applicants experience delays because the Portuguese immigration authority is currently managing a large number of pending applications. As a result, appointment availability can be limited and waiting times may vary.

In this guide, we explain what AIMA is, who needs an appointment, how to book one, and what to do if you cannot secure a slot.

What Is AIMA in Portugal?

AIMA (Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum) is the Portuguese government authority responsible for immigration procedures, residence permits, and migrant integration.

The agency replaced the former SEF (Immigration and Borders Service) in October 2023 as part of a restructuring of Portugal’s immigration system.

Today, AIMA is responsible for:

  • issuing residence permits
  • processing visa-related applications
  • handling family reunification cases
  • managing immigration and asylum processes
  • Foreign nationals living in Portugal usually need to interact with AIMA when applying for or renewing residency.

Why AIMA Appointments Are Delayed

Following the transition from SEF to AIMA, the immigration system experienced a significant backlog of applications.

At one point, hundreds of thousands of immigration cases were pending, creating delays for:

  • residence permit issuance
  • residence permit renewals
  • family reunification applications
  • biometric appointments

Because of this backlog, many applicants have had difficulty securing appointments or receiving timely responses from the immigration authorities.

Although AIMA continues working to reduce the backlog, appointment availability can still vary depending on the type of application.

Man in a desk

Who Needs an AIMA Appointment?

Several groups of applicants typically require an AIMA appointment.

1. Visa Holders Completing Their Residency Process

Applicants with visas such as:

usually need to attend an AIMA appointment to complete their residence permit process.

In some cases, an appointment is automatically scheduled when the visa is issued.

2. Applicants Without an Automatically Scheduled Appointment

Some visa holders arrive in Portugal without a confirmed appointment. In these situations, they must contact AIMA to request a slot.

This may involve contacting the agency through:

  • phone
  • email
  • online forms

However, due to high demand, appointments may not always be immediately available.

3. Residents Renewing Their Residence Permit

Foreign residents whose temporary residence or permanent permits are about to expire must usually schedule a renewal appointment with AIMA.

These appointments are not always assigned automatically, which means applicants may need to request them manually.

What Happens During an AIMA Biometrics Appointment?

During your appointment at an AIMA office, immigration officials collect biometric information and verify your documentation.

Typical procedures include:

  • Photograph: An official photograph taken during the appointment
  • Fingerprints: Fingerprints collected for identity verification
  • Signature: A digital or physical signature for your residence permit record

Once the appointment is completed and the application is approved, the residence permit card is later issued.

How to Get an AIMA Appointment

If your appointment has not been automatically scheduled, there are several ways to try to obtain one.

1. Check the AIMA Portal

Log into your AIMA account to see if an appointment has already been assigned.

Sometimes the appointment does not appear directly on your visa but is registered in the system.

2. Contact AIMA by Phone

You may try contacting AIMA directly through the official phone numbers:

  • (+351) 217 115 000
  • (+351) 965 903 700

If available, appointments can sometimes be scheduled during the call.

3. Send an Email Request

Applicants can request an appointment by email at:

[email protected]

Include the following information:

  • full name
  • date of birth
  • passport number
  • visa type
  • contact information
  • type of residence permit requested

4. Submit a Request Through the AIMA Website

You may also submit an appointment request using the contact forms available on the official AIMA website.

What to Do If You Cannot Get an AIMA Appointment

Many applicants experience delays when trying to secure appointments. If you do not receive a response from AIMA, several options may be available.

First, continue monitoring your AIMA account and maintain contact with AIMA through official channels.

If an application has been pending for an extended period without progress, some applicants consider legal action to compel the immigration authority to process their case.

You can learn more about this option in our guide to AIMA lawsuits and immigration delays in Portugal.

What Our Clients Say

Tim Evans
Tim EvansUSA
We began working with Portugal Residency Advisors (PRA) in April 2024 to consider residency in Portugal. Pedro Branco and Beatriz Garcia provided critical incite and information in helping us decide how best to apply for the Portugal Golden Visa Program. The most wonderful thing was that their advice was completely independent and they were not trying to sell us any investment scheme that they would benefit PRA. They provided professional advice and let us decide what worked best for us. We completed the process in less than two months. I highly recommend that you talk with them regardless of who you have talked with already.
Phyllis Kynas
Phyllis KynasCanada
My experience with Portugal Residency Advisors has been exceptionally good. Pedro Branco (client manager) provided me with clearly set out details of their services and costs and timeline. Right from the start, Beatriz Garcia (immigration lawyer) has promptly set out clearly what steps I needed to take for my visa application. She was always helpful and supportive (when I was feeling stressed by the process) and guided me through it with patience and a quick response. Portugal Residency Advisors took me through a complicated and detailed process efficiently and clearly, and I am sure that it would have taken me much longer, and with much more stress, without them.
Lyssa Adkins
Lyssa AdkinsUSA
I recommend to Beatriz Garcia and Portugal Residency Advisors completely. They helped us with our immigration meetings scheduling and preparation. I am quite sure that without Beatriz we would still be waiting for our immigration appointment. The onboarding process and documents collection process was incredibly smooth and professional.
Chyntia Sutton
Chyntia SuttonUSA
The best team of immigration attorneys in Portugal! Pedro and Fernanda were so attentive to every single question, nothing was too small or too big to handle for them. They guided us through every stage to the point of arrival in Portugal. They continue to be available to us whenever we have questions. We highly recommend them and we will add their contact information on one of our podcast episode as well. Thank you for your excellent expertise!
Ann-Marie Giustibelli
Ann-Marie GiustibelliUSA
Beatriz and Pedro were professional, kind most importantly (to me) is they were effective. They promptly answered all of my questions; even after my case was finished. I would hire them again in a second!
Francis Miles
Francis MilesUK
Pedro helped us through the legal minefield when purchasing a property in Portugal, along with the residency aspects as well. He is always on call, professional and extremely patient, and we are happy to recommend him and his company.
Andrew Symons
Andrew SymonsUK
Portugal Residency Advisors provided an excellent service. They took control of the whole residence permit application process, explained to me what was going on, gathered and presented all the required documentation. I received my permit 20 days after the application.
Mehmet Kidman
Mehmet KidmanTurkey
They are a highly successful team that you can completely trust and always get support from throughout our residency application process. We were very pleased with their immediate support regarding our issues.
Alejandro Castellano
Alejandro CastellanoSpain
Thank you, Pedro, for making my experience of moving to Portugal so lovely!
Piero Colafranceschi
Piero ColafranceschiItaly
Perfect assistance all along the process!

What Happens If Your Visa Expires While Waiting?

If your visa or residence permit expires while waiting for an appointment, you generally do not become illegal in Portugal.

The Portuguese government has extended the validity of many immigration documents due to administrative delays.

However, these extensions usually apply only within Portugal, meaning international travel within the Schengen Area may still be restricted until your residence permit is issued or renewed.

Why Can We Help

Local Expertise

We know Portugal. Due to our extensive local knowledge, we believe that concentrating our services in a single country destination is the best way to give you the most thorough and useful information.

Honest Guidance

We recommend what’s best for you based on an extensive process experience that saves time and money to clients. Our pricing is clear and competitive, and we don’t sell services that make us more money.

All-in-One Solution

One single channel of communication for the entire process. We provide you with a comprehensive service that covers all aspects of your move, from identifying the ideal residency visa to finding your new home or helping you to settle.

Seamless Process

Technology plays a very important role in our company. We minimize our clients’ involvement in paperwork. We are customers ourselves and we know how to serve you.

Your Questions Answered

Appointments may be scheduled automatically through the visa process or requested directly through AIMA via phone, email, or the MySEF portal.

During the appointment, officials collect biometric information such as fingerprints, photographs, and signatures and verify your application documents.

Waiting times vary depending on the type of application and the availability of appointments.

Yes. In most cases, residence permit renewals require an appointment with AIMA.

If appointments are unavailable or delayed for a long period, applicants may need to continue contacting AIMA or explore legal options to resolve the situation.

Securing an AIMA appointment is an essential step in many Portuguese residency processes. While delays have occurred due to administrative backlogs, AIMA continues working to process pending cases and schedule new appointments.

Applicants should monitor official channels, prepare their documentation in advance, and stay informed about the latest immigration procedures to ensure a smooth residency process in Portugal.

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