"The only cases still pending within the Mission Structure are 30,000 awaiting a decision on approval or rejection," said the Secretary of State's Assistant to the Presidency and for Immigration. He was accompanying the Minister of the Presidency, António Leitão Amaro, during the latter's periodic hearing before the Committee on Constitutional Affairs, Rights, Freedoms and Guarantees at the Assembly of the Republic.
According to Rui Armindo Freitas, these are "somewhat more complex cases that require analysis or for the applicants themselves to be contacted."
"These are the only ones remaining from the nearly one million cases we inherited from the previous government," he added.
AIMA's Mission Structure was established in mid-2024 and formally concluded its operations on 31 December, 2025. The Porto office remains open to provide support for unresolved cases.
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Português (Brasil)
My residence card expired last year. I've jumped through every possible hoop, including a 10 hour wait at AIMA Loja #2 starting at 4:30 in the morning. The waiting continues, with no end in sight. I know several people who applied for renewal in the last year, and none of them have received new cards either. But it's nice that the government is proud of itself for all of this supposed progress.
By resident in limbo from Lisbon on 01 Jul 2026, 21:48
Triple that resident in LIMBo. I waited 3 years BUT I got my problem solved. oh NO not via AIMA, I used AI! Yep, AI helped me understand what the problem was and provided instructions, and it worked! Just in the nick of time to renew AGAIN!
By Diann Schindler from Lisbon on 02 Jul 2026, 10:23
I was one of the mission structure renewals. This was in October 2025. I am still waiting for my residence card and I do not represent a complex case. I provided all of the AIMA requested documents and now I wait....and wait.
By De Portugal com amor from Algarve on 02 Jul 2026, 14:47
Many of us have been waiting for months or more. Like others, my case is not complicated. I followed all the instructions and did what with the portal required. I have been waiting while thousands of people applied after me and have been approved.
Portuguese are very proud of their ticket system where people receive service in the order in which they arrive/apply. Imagine going to the bank, you draw your number and stand in line. Then the bank starts issuing new numbers and helping all the new people that arrive after you and completely ignore you and others who are in line first. This is exactly what is happening.
By John from Madeira on 03 Jul 2026, 10:26
Wedding months to get your Visa renewal? I’ve been waiting over four years! I submitted my application packet over four years ago. I’ve gone through two renewals with an expired card. It’s still not resolved.
By Patrick Oh! from Lisbon on 04 Jul 2026, 13:23