The government of Portugal again extended the validity of immigration documents and visas, now to June 30, 2025.
Key Points:
- As BAL previously reported, the government announced a similar extension last year.
- The Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum (AIMA) said that 410,000 immigrant cases are currently pending, and the government has extended the validity of all immigration documents and visas again to allow the government time to process the backlog of cases.
- Proof that a renewal appointment has been scheduled is required for documents to be accepted under the same terms beyond the current validity.
Additional Information: Authorities in Portugal have introduced other measures as well to improve the efficiency of their immigration systems. AIMA recently announced a change in procedure to schedule residence permit services. The new procedure is designed to expedite service scheduling and make the process simpler and more practical.
BAL Analysis: As the government continues to transfer administrative powers to AIMA, another automatic extension has been granted to help those who have been impacted by processing delays. Portuguese residents who are eligible may now stay in the country legally until at least June 30, 2025. BAL will provide further updates as information becomes available.
This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice Group.
Copyright © 2024 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries, please contact copyright@bal.com.
The government of Portugal is requiring certain applicants to submit a 300 euro (about US$325) fee ahead of their application for residence permits.
Key Points:
- Foreign nationals that have submitted an expression of intention in the old SAPA portal prior to April 30, 2023, will now be required to submit a 300 euro fee ahead of their application for a residence permit.
- The new Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum (AIMA) instructed applicants to pay the fee within a 10-day period before submitting their application.
- The fee requirement previously applied only to those who had submitted their application, and officials have not yet confirmed whether the money will be returned if an application is ultimately unsuccessful.
Additional Information: Applicants will receive an e-mail from AIMA to create an account in the new service platform, where they will be prompted with the fee request. Upon completing payment individuals will receive an appointment within the next 20 business days. Before the scheduled appointment date, applicants should resubmit any updated information and documentation. The Portuguese government is currently transferring administrative powers from the Immigration and Borders Service (SEF) to AIMA as part of a larger restructuring of the immigration system. The ongoing reorganization at AIMA is delaying resident permit issuance and backlogging appointment availability.
BAL Analysis: The new measure is designed to accelerate the regularization process and grant residence permits faster. BAL will provide further updates as information becomes available.
This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice Group.
Copyright © 2024 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries, please contact copyright@bal.com.
The U.S. Embassy Lisbon announced that Portuguese nationals can apply for E-1 and E-2 visas under the fully implemented AMIGOS Act.
Key Points:
- The Advancing Mutual Interests and Growing Our Success (AMIGOS) Act grants Portuguese citizens E-1 and E-2 visa eligibility in the United States as long as Portugal provides reciprocal nonimmigrant status to U.S. nationals.
- An E-1 visa allows foreign nationals entering the U.S. to engage in international trade. An E-2 visa is granted to foreign nationals investing a substantial amount of capital in the U.S. Both visa types are limited to nationals who have a treaty of commerce and navigation within the U.S.
- More information on the recently launched E visa program for Portuguese nationals, the different categories of E visas, company tiers and application instructions can be found here.
Additional Information: The AMIGOS Act was signed into law as part of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023. Rep. Jim Costa (D-Calif.), who co-sponsored the legislation, said in a press release, “Portuguese Americans have made significant contributions in the San Joaquin Valley and throughout the United States. The AMIGOS Act will help create more American jobs and increase investment across the country, while strengthening the bonds between United States and Portugal.”
This alert has been provided by the BAL U.S. Practice Group.
Copyright © 2024 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries, please contact copyright@bal.com.
The government of Portugal announced that immigration documents or visas that expire on or after Nov. 10 will be accepted until June 30, 2024.
Key Points:
- Proof that a renewal appointment has been scheduled is required for documents to still be accepted under the same terms beyond the current validity.
- The authority derives from Decree-Law No. 109/2023, which establishes temporary protection measures from COVID-19 as well as initiatives to assist individuals affected by the current backlog in processing renewal applications.
- For all documents that expired prior to Nov. 10, the previous government extension to Dec. 31, 2023, is still in effect. Officials have not yet announced if another automatic extension will be granted.
BAL Analysis: The Portuguese government is currently transferring administrative powers from the Foreigners and Borders Service (SEF) as part of a larger restructuring of the immigration system. Automatic extension has been granted to help those who have been impacted by processing delays. Portuguese residents who are eligible can now stay in the country legally until at least June 30, 2024.
This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice Group.
Copyright © 2023 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries, please contact copyright@bal.com.
The government of Portugal announced the transition of immigration responsibilities from the Immigration and Border Service (SEF) to the Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum.
Key Points:
- AIMA will succeed SEF and the Office of the High Commissioner for Migration in its administrative powers in migration and asylum, inheriting 347,000 pending cases.
- AIMA will initially operate with 34 service officers across the country. In the coming year, it will open an additional 10 offices as well as launch an online appointment scheduling portal for resident permit applications.
BAL Analysis: The government intends to expedite the processing of pending cases and resolve outstanding issues in the immigration system. Visa processing delays may occur as the new immigration agency transitions the backlog from SEF.
This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice Group.
Copyright © 2023 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries, please contact copyright@bal.com.
IMPACT — MEDIUM
The Portuguese government has launched an online consular platform to schedule services and appointments at local consular posts.
Individuals may now use Virtual Consulate for:
- Birth registration of children under one and application for the first Citizen Card.
- Birth registration of minors over one with one parent being a Portuguese national.
- Consular registration.
- Consular registration certificate.
- Declaring a death.
- Booking online services at a consular post.
- Post transference.
- Renewal of the Citizen’s Card for those over 25.
- Updating consular inscription form.
Additional Information: After registering, individuals can authenticate themselves with the Mobile Digital Key or with the Citizen’s Card and a card reader to access the platform.
BAL Analysis: Portuguese authorities introduced the online consular services platform to simplify its processes for scheduling consular services. The Portuguese government plans to expand services provided by the Virtual Consulate in the coming months.
This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice Group. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.
Copyright © 2023 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries, please contact copyright@bal.com.
IMPACT — MEDIUM
The Portuguese government has clarified Schengen area travel restrictions for resident permit holders for nationals of the Community of Portuguese Speaking Countries (CPLP).
Key Points:
- Nationals of the CPLP who hold residence permits in Portugal are not allowed to travel freely throughout the Schengen area.
- Nationals of the CPLP must apply for additional visas to travel throughout the Schengen area, depending on their nationality and visa requirements of their intended destination.
Additional Information: CPLP countries include Angola, Brazil, Cape Verde, East Timor, Guinea Bissau, Mozambique, Portugal and São Tomé e Príncipe. More information for residence permit holders for nationals of CPLP countries is available on this website.
BAL Analysis: Portuguese authorities have allowed nationals of CPLP countries to apply for residence permits to increase mobility and strengthen ties between the countries. Such individuals are reminded that they are not permitted to travel freely throughout the Schengen area.
This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice Group. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.
Copyright © 2023 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries, please contact copyright@bal.com.
IMPACT — MEDIUM
The Portuguese government has made online residence permits available to nationals of Portuguese-speaking countries.
Key Points:
- Nationals of the Community of Portuguese Language Countries, including Angola, Brazil, Cape Verde, Guinea Bissau, Mozambique and Sao Tome e Principe, can now apply for new residence permits. To be eligible, applicants must:
- Not be in the Serviço de Informações de Segurança system.
- Submit a criminal record for each country they have lived in for more than one year.
- Have proof of a stable, livable income.
- Residence permit applications for nationals of CPLC can be submitted through this website.
BAL Analysis: Portuguese authorities have allowed nationals of CPLC countries to apply for residence permits to increase mobility and strengthen ties between the countries.
This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice Group. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.
Copyright © 2023 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries, please contact copyright@bal.com.
IMPACT — MEDIUM
The Portuguese government has automatically extended residence permits that expired or are set to expire in 2023.
Key Points:
- Residence permits of foreign nationals currently living in Portugal that expired or are set to expire in 2023 have been automatically extended until Dec. 31, 2023.
- Portuguese authorities are encouraging residents to continue to book renewal appointments before their permits’ expiration date.
- More information regarding the automatic extension for residence permits is available here.
BAL Analysis: The Portuguese government has granted the automatic residence permit extension to help those who have been negatively impacted by processing delays. Portuguese residents can now stay in the country legally until at least Dec. 31, 2023.
This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice Group. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.
Copyright © 2023 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries, please contact copyright@bal.com.
IMPACT — MEDIUM
The Portuguese government recently introduced a Job Seekers visa for foreign nationals looking for work in the country.
Key Points:
- As of Oct. 31, foreign nationals can apply for a Job Seekers visa to look for work in Portugal.
- The Job Seekers visa is a single-entry visa, valid for 120 days and extendable for an additional 60 days.
- Foreign nationals can apply to convert the Job Seekers visa to a residence permit if they find work within the 180-day period.
- Foreign nationals who cannot find a job in the 180-day period can reapply for another Job Seekers visa one year after the original visa’s expiration.
BAL Analysis: The visa intends to bring more foreign nationals to Portugal to stimulate the economy, create jobs and help the country recover financially from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice Group. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.
Copyright © 2022 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries, please contact copyright@bal.com.
