AIMA Moves to Ease Residence Permit Delays with New Proof of Approval

Portugal’s immigration authority has recently announced a new interim measure aimed at easing pressure on applicants facing delays in the delivery of residence permits. 

Portugal's Agência para a Integração, Migrações e Asilo (AIMA) will begin issuing a “proof of approval of the application for granting or renewing a residence permit” to applicants whose files have already been approved but whose physical residence cards have not yet been received.

The initiative, reported by Portuguese press and confirmed by AIMA, responds to one of the most persistent sources of frustration among foreign residents in Portugal: prolonged waiting times between formal approval and the actual delivery of residence documentation. 

While the agency has accelerated decision-making in several categories, logistical bottlenecks have continued to affect the final stage of the process.

According to AIMA, a significant number of residence cards sent via CTT, Portugal’s postal service, are returned to the agency due to delivery issues, incorrect addresses or failed delivery attempts. 

These returns create additional delays and uncertainty for applicants who are otherwise fully compliant and already approved.

The Portuguese residency proof of approval functions as an online declarative document, available to applicants who already know that their application, whether for an initial residence permit or a renewal, has been formally approved. 

It is intended to provide reassurance and a degree of legal certainty while applicants await the physical card.

AIMA has stated that the document offers “greater security for those who already have their application approved and are awaiting receipt of their residence permit”. 

In practical terms, it confirms the applicant’s approved status within the immigration system, helping to bridge the gap created by administrative or postal delays, with a displayed QR Code where authorities can verify the status of the holder’s application.

However, the agency has been careful to stress the limits of the measure. 

The proof of approval does not replace the residence permit itself in situations where the law explicitly requires the presentation of the physical card. 

Its purpose is supportive rather than substitutive, and its acceptance may vary depending on the context in which proof of legal residence is requested.

Access to the document is strictly digital. 

Applicants must request the proof of approval through AIMA’s official services portal at services.aima.gov.pt. 

The declaration cannot be issued in person at AIMA service desks.

This digital-only approach aligns with the agency’s broader strategy of shifting routine administrative interactions online, reserving in-person capacity for cases that genuinely require physical attendance. 

It also reflects a wider effort to standardise procedures and reduce discretionary, ad hoc solutions at local offices.

As Portugal’s immigration system continues to adjust to sustained demand, interim measures such as the introduction of a proof of approval underline the importance of closely following not only legislative reform, but also administrative practice on the ground.

Portugal Homes will continue to monitor updates from AIMA and other relevant authorities, ensuring that clients receive timely, accurate and fully contextualised information on residence permits, renewals and related procedures. 

By tracking both official announcements and their practical application, the firm aims to help clients navigate periods of transition with greater clarity and confidence, reducing uncertainty while longer-term solutions are implemented.