Portugal: Temporary Residence Permit Appointment Delay Causing Travel Issues

Due to ongoing administrative delays in Portugal, Temporary Residence Permit appointments are now being scheduled up to six months after the expiry of the D visa (which has a 120-day validity), with no visa-extension option available. As a result, foreign nationals are facing extensive international travel restrictions while they await the issuance of their Temporary Residence Permit.        

The delay appears to be part of the efforts of the new Portuguese immigration and border control agency (AIMA) to manage a significant backlog of applications. AIMA had simultaneously rolled out new immigration pathways, further straining its capacity. The situation has worsened since COVID-19, particularly due to the dissolution of the previous immigration authority (SEF) and the creation of AIMA.     

Affected foreign nationals should contact their case team to assess risks and possible solutions.      

This alert is for informational purposes only. If you have any questions, please contact the global immigration professional with whom you work at Fragomen or send an email to [email protected].