Portugal’s government has announced a one-year extension of the validity of documents and visa for immigrants, now valid until June 30, 2025. This decision aims to provide stability and support to the immigrant community.
Additionally, the government has established a new mission structure to address pending processes.
In a statement, the Portuguese government detailed the approval of a decree-law assigning the Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum (AIMA) with a proactive role in attracting and valuing immigrants. This includes integrating the Migration Observatory as part of governmental efforts.
Furthermore, a resolution has been passed to create a Mission Structure for the Recovery of Pending Processes within AIMA. This structure, operational until June 2, 2025, will involve up to 300 staff members dedicated to administrative case processing and applicant assistance, as reported by Portugal News.
AIMA’s President, Luís Goes Pinheiro, disclosed that Portugal currently faces approximately 410,000 pending immigrant cases. To address this backlog, AIMA plans to hire over 100 new employees, though further staffing may be required to meet demands.
Pinheiro expressed commitment to resolving over 400,000 pending cases by the summer of 2025, aligning with AIMA’s goals upon assuming office to timely process pending issues and meet user expectations.
Additionally, recent statistics from AIMA reveal a significant increase in international residents in Portugal, exceeding one million in 2023—a 130% rise compared to 2022 figures. This surge includes 392,000 new residence permits issued last year alone, highlighting Portugal’s growing appeal as a destination for international residents.