Updated: January 30, 2025

Portugal’s immigration landscape has undergone a significant transformation with the replacement of the Foreigners and Borders Service, or Serviço de Estrangeiros e Fronteiras (SEF) by the Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum (AIMA). This AIMA – SEF transition, which took place in October 2023, aims to address inefficiencies, streamline and innovate immigration and asylum processes, and improve efficiency in handling visas and residence permits.

In this overview, we explore the role, responsibilities, and services of AIMA Portugal and what this transition from SEF Portugal means for residents and expats. Considering a move to sunny Portugal? This information will also help you better understand the processes involved in getting your visa and residence permit.

What is AIMA in Portugal?

Madeira real estate agentAIMA, short for the Agency for Integration, Migration, and Asylum, or the Agência para a Imigração e Mobilidade Administrativa, is Portugal’s newly established immigration agency responsible for managing the country’s foreign documents, permits, and visa processes. It took over many of the roles previously managed by SEF to address longstanding challenges such as backlogs and administrative inefficiencies.  

AIMA is designed to modernize and innovate Portugal’s immigration system, offering faster processing times, enhanced security, and improved services for foreigners residing in or moving to Portugal. Their overarching functions include: 

  • Immigration and visa processing: They aim to reduce the backlog of more than 300,000 pending cases of visa application processing, residence permit applications, and renewals inherited from SEF. 
  • Asylum processes and refugee management: AIMA Portugal manages administrative functions relating to asylum applications and works with government and non-governmental organizations to facilitate the integration of refugees into Portuguese society. 
  • Streamlining and efficiency: The agency aims to reduce long waiting times, delays, and administrative inefficiencies, including making improvements to the digital infrastructure to expedite the processing of cases. 

AIMA reducing the SEF backlog 

One of AIMA’s primary goals is to resolve the backlog of pending immigration applications left by SEF. The transition seeks to create a more structured and streamlined system to process requests more effectively. At the beginning of 2024, there were approximately 347,000 pending cases, and AIMA’s action plan is to work with a law firm and resolve all backlogged and pending cases by June 2025. 

Looking ahead, AIMA, led by Pedro Portugal Gaspar, also plans to tackle the causes of delays in residence permits, renewals, and visa applications, ensuring that Portugal’s immigration services align with international standards and meet the needs of its growing expat community.  

Along with hiring more workers and updating the computer systems to streamline processing and scheduling appointments, the validity of residency visas and documents were also extended until 30 June 2025 to ease the frustration and complaints received by the agency. 

AIMA's Services and Responsibilities

To be successful in their mission to streamline immigration processes, some of the responsibilities previously held by SEF have been spread to other local authorities. Here is a detailed breakdown of some of the delegated responsibilities:

GNR responsibilities

The Republican National Guard (GNR) now oversees land and sea border enforcement and rural security. Its role includes monitoring illegal immigration activities and ensuring compliance with legal entry and exit regulations at Portugal’s borders.

Public Security Police (PSP) responsibilities

The PSP monitors and controls airport borders and temporary airport facilities, overseeing people coming in and out of the country and maintaining airport security.

Judiciary Police (PJ) responsibilities

The Judiciary Police (PJ), or Polícia Judiciária, investigates serious immigration-related crimes, including human trafficking and document fraud. It works closely with AIMA to enforce immigration laws and ensure compliance.

Borders and Foreigners Coordination Unit responsibilities

A specialized Borders and Foreigners Coordination Unit has been established to coordinate the different police forces, the Institute of Registries and Notary (IRN), and AIMA to ensure better cooperation and coordination between organizations.

The Borders and Foreigners Coordination Unit will also oversee the administration of police databases and information systems.

Future of SEF facilities

Many former SEF Portugal facilities have been repurposed to serve AIMA and its related units. These facilities are being upgraded to accommodate new technologies, streamline processes, and provide better customer service to applicants. Existing SEF staff have been redistributed to support AIMA or other local authorities, preserving institutional knowledge while enabling a fresh start for Portugal’s immigration system.

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Implications of AIMA replacing SEF Portugal

The transition from Portugal SEF to AIMA has brought several changes to the immigration landscape, affecting processes like visa applications, residence permits, and citizenship pathways.

While the ultimate goal of the agency is to improve the efficiency of immigration services for both nationals and foreigners, it will take some time to get there. Here’s what you need to know in the meantime:

AIMA in Portugal and the Golden Visa

The popular Portugal Golden Visa program remains in place under AIMA. The program allows investors to get Portuguese residency through business creation, investment, or capital transfers. AIMA now manages these applications, on a mission to improve processing times, eliminate the backlog of applications, and provide clearer guidelines for Golden Visa applicants.

However, the agency still faces many complaints and frustrated applicants from foreign nationals who are facing delays in the processing and approvals of their paperwork. Despite the pressure of legal intervention, bottlenecks in the biometric appointment stages for data collection remain challenging.

How to apply for residence permits and passport renewals

Applicants seeking residence permits or passport renewals can now submit their applications through the AIMA website. The process involves online submissions, biometric appointment scheduling, and an in-person process of verification, ensuring faster processing and reduced bureaucracy.

The IRN, or Instituto dos Registos e do Notariado, issues the Portuguese electronic passport and they will also be responsible for residence permits.

Where to apply for new residence permits

New residence permit applications can be filed at AIMA offices or through its new innovative online AIMA Portal. Former SEF locations have been integrated into AIMA’s network, undergoing significant digital upgrades and welcoming almost 200 additional employees to ensure continuity in service delivery and to tackle the 347,000 pending cases as quickly as possible. The agency is also in the process of opening additional service centers.

How to get an AIMA appointment

Appointments with AIMA can be scheduled online through the AIMA Portal. Applicants are advised to book early to avoid delays, as the transition period may result in temporary backlogs.

Alternatively, you could contact AIMA directly by calling +351 217 115 000 or +351 965 903 700 from 8 AM to 8 PM, Lisbon time.

Exploring Visa and Immigration Options for Portugal

Portugal-immigration-visa-typesIf you’re seriously considering a move to Portugal, the best time to start the process is now. Portugal offers various visa and immigration pathways to make moving over as easy as possible. Some of these options include: 

  • D7 Visa (passive income or Portugal retirement visa): Ideal for retirees or remote workers with stable incomes. 
  • D8 Visa (Portugal Digital Nomad Visa): Targeted at remote workers and freelancers seeking temporary or long-term stays. 
  • Portugal D6 Visa (Family Reunification Visa): Allows family members to join residents legally in Portugal. 
  • Portugal Golden Visa: A pathway for investors through business innovation, investment, or capital transfers. 

Each option comes with specific requirements, which are now managed by AIMA. Fortunately, EU citizens can skip the visa process, as they are not required to move to Portugal. If you’d like to learn more about which option may best suit you, we recommend you contact our partners, Global Citizen Solutions, for professional and expert advice.  

Final Thoughts

The establishment of AIMA marks a significant step forward in modernizing Portugal’s immigration system. By replacing SEF, AIMA addresses longstanding inefficiencies and provides a more organized framework for handling immigration services.

Whether you are an expat hoping to move to and buy property in Portugal, a foreign property investor, or a student, understanding AIMA’s role and processes is essential for navigating Portugal’s immigration landscape. With streamlined services and a focus on efficiency, AIMA promises to make Portugal an even more attractive destination for global citizens.

Frequently Asked Questions about AIMA taking over SEF

SEF, the Foreigners and Borders Service, or the Serviço de Estrangeiros e Fronteiras, was Portugal’s immigration and border authority. It managed visa applications, residence permits, and immigration enforcement until its replacement by AIMA in October 2023.

Yes, SEF was dissolved in October 2023. Its responsibilities have been distributed across AIMA and other security and law enforcement agencies.

AIMA, the Agency for Integration, Migration, and Asylum, or Agência para a Imigração e Mobilidade Administrativa, has replaced SEF as the primary immigration authority in Portugal. It is responsible for processing immigration applications and managing administrative mobility.

AIMA is the Agency for Integration, Migration, and Asylum, established to streamline Portugal’s immigration services and improve efficiency in handling applications and refugee matters. 

While SEF handled both immigration services and law enforcement, AIMA focuses solely on administrative immigration tasks. Law enforcement duties have been transferred to the GNR, PSP, and Judiciary Police.

Yes, AIMA has been operational since October 2023 and actively processes applications for visas and residence permits in Portugal.

AIMA aims to create a more modern and efficient immigration system, addressing delays and improving processing times. The agency has vastly improved its digital systems and processes, hired more staff, streamlined operations, and opened new service centers to improve efficiency and eliminate the backlog handed over from SEF.

Yes, AIMA is responsible for managing Golden Visa applications and ensuring compliance with program requirements.

Fees for AIMA services vary depending on the type of application. Applicants should check the AIMA website for updated fee structures and process and analysis fee payment instructions.

AIMA processes citizenship applications from start to finish through its dedicated units, ensuring transparency and efficiency in reviews and approvals. This includes verifying updated documents (like birth and marriage certificates), submitting paperwork, follow-ups, and legal compliance.