Portugal's AIMA Processes 6,000 Golden Visa Applications, Schedules 30,000 Biometric Appointments
PublishedEditorial policy
Portugal's Agency for Integration, Migration, and Asylum (AIMA) has processed 6,000 of 46,000 pending Golden Visa applications, with 30,000 biometric appointments scheduled. This represents 13% of the backlog. While average wait times reached 50 months, new applications are estimated at 14–18 months.
Key takeaways
- AIMA has processed 6,000 out of 46,000 Golden Visa applications, representing 13% of the backlog.
- Biometric appointments have been scheduled for 30,000 applicants, signaling progress for these cases.
- New Golden Visa applicants should expect processing times of at least 14–18 months.
AIMA Reports Progress on Golden Visa Backlog
Minister António Leitão Amaro confirmed to a parliamentary committee that Portugal's Agency for Integration, Migration, and Asylum (AIMA) has processed 6,000 of the 46,000 pending Golden Visa applications.
Additionally, biometric appointments have been scheduled for approximately 30,000 applicants. While this indicates movement, a significant backlog remains.
The average waiting period for the Golden Visa program reached a record 50.4 months in the second quarter. However, Lisbon-based lawyers estimate current processing times for new applications to be between 14 and 18 months. AIMA is actively working to reduce the backlog, but the scale of the task is considerable.
For applicants already in the process, receiving a biometric appointment notice is a positive sign that their case is moving forward. Prospective applicants should anticipate a waiting period of over a year, even with complete and accurate documentation and investments.
Sources
Based on Emigro corridor reporting. Primary links below.
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