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Karen L Osler's avatar

"Imagine the smile on those people’s faces when they saw that card,” Leitão Amaro said, referring to the residence cards already delivered." I can only imagine. I expired on December 9,2024. AIMA appointment August 6th. My attorney found out mid March they wanted me to redo my biometrics ( no contact!) because they couldn't see my forehead. I ran up to Porto mid-March, repeated my biometrics. I am still waiting. This is frustrating to read his comments.

Susan KORTHASE's avatar

Pretty much my thoughts exactly, Karen, when I read that comment. Smiles, after months or years of trying to supply an inordinate volume of complicated, unclear documentation; no method to track status; working with untrained agents who exert different requirements. The process is unnecessarily complicated and only we, the applicants, and the agents who sit with us understand the angst. Cut off from our bank accounts, unable to enroll in school or apply for a job, afraid to leave the country...it is raw.

John Egan's avatar

my wife and I had a very similar timeline as yours (permits expired December 6/7 2024, in-person appointments August 13, 2025, approval notification December '25 & January '26). Both of our cards arrived this week. My wife had to redo her biometrics last October, but she was notified by email.

Hopefully, you've been calling AIMA weekly for status updates. I know someone who didn't, and they finally called today only to find out that CTT attempted to deliver her card in March, and it was sent back to AIMA. So definitely call.

Karen L Osler's avatar

Thank you John. I have an attorney checking weekly . I had lost my card , filled out a police report, then found my card and notified the police. That, apparently ,has caused further delay. 😞 I appreciate your help. I may revisit the police station.

Justine Strand de Oliveira's avatar

Question: this reporting to parliament was by the minister of the presidency, but administrative oversight is by the minister of internal affairs, Luis Neves? Thanks for any clarification.

Portugal Decoded's avatar

I’m not sure this answers your question, but the Minister of Internal Administration does not have direct oversight of AIMA, which is under the Government member responsible for migration and equality policy. The Ministry of Internal Administration’s migration related powers are mainly linked to internal security and border control.

If you are referring to the INE data itself, it is also worth noting that the Institute of Registries and Notaries (IRN), which is responsible for civil identification, official registers, nationality, passports and notarial matters, falls under the Ministry of Justice.

Justine Strand de Oliveira's avatar

Ah, understood. Thanks so much! I was wondering if some of the apparent new alacrity with residency visas was due to Luis Neves' administration, as from what I've read he seems to run a tight ship.