8 UGLOBAL IMMIGRATION MAGAZINE
application and its approval could span years , during which the individual effectively resided in Portugal . Still , this time could not be counted as legal residence .
The law amendment now allows the waiting period for residence application approval to be included as part of the time considered for citizenship purposes , provided the residence permit is eventually granted .
This legal change corrects an unfair situation affecting thousands of people penalized merely by administrative delays beyond their control . The legal amendment represents a positive step , aiming to bring more predictability and fairness to nationality processes for Golden Visa applicants and other residence permit holders in Portugal , thus restoring credibility to the country .
CHANGES BROUGHT BY AIMA , THE NEW IMMIGRATION AGENCY
Since October 2023 , AIMA has taken over the responsibilities previously held by SEF , inheriting over 400,000 pending cases . This heavy burden meant that 2024 was not an easy year , as the lack of available dates for new appointments and failure to meet administrative deadlines led to increased dissatisfaction among those seeking legalization in Portugal . There were multiple protests by immigrants throughout the year , some organized and others spontaneous , even in front of AIMA facilities . In some cases , police intervention was required to calm tensions .
Throughout the year , it was evident that AIMA struggled to manage the frustration of those waiting to resolve their cases . This situation led to increased litigation between residence permit applicants and AIMA . It reached a point that the Supreme Administrative Court ruled on the matter , determining that , as established by law , AIMA has 90 days to issue a decision on an immigration process , which , in most cases , was not met .
This ruling significantly impacted 2024 , prompting AIMA to formalize cooperation protocols with the Bar Association and the Association of Solicitors and Enforcement Agents to ensure more human resources for processing applications . Thanks to these protocols , AIMA now employs over 1,200 more professionals than it did in 2023 and opened a new service center in Lisbon with extended hours .
Migration Plan
In Portugal , as in other European countries , immigration has gained increasing relevance in recent years , with notable political impact . Thus , two months after taking office , the Portuguese Government introduced the new Migration Plan , which includes 41 measures to address some of the main issues related to migration . Some of the key measures are :
1 . Ending the expression of interest mechanism , which limits the possibilities for individuals who entered Portugal as tourists or illegally and later decided to stay and legalize their status .
2 . Prioritizing entry channels for family reunification , young students , and skilled professionals .
3 . Reinforcement of Human and Technological Resources with new software programs and more professional training .
Some 41 measures have already been implemented , while others have not progressed as much . However , developments are expected in their implementation in 2025 .