TL;DR: AIMA (Agência para a Integração, Migrações e Asilo) replaced SEF in 2023 and handles residency permits for non-EU families in Portugal. Book your appointment online at aima.gov.pt as soon as you arrive — waits of 3–6 months are common in Porto and Lisbon. While waiting, your entry visa and appointment confirmation serve as proof of legal status. At the appointment you submit biometrics and documents; your residence permit card arrives separately within a few weeks. EU citizens do not go through AIMA for residency — they register at the Junta de Freguesia instead.
The AIMA appointment is the moment that converts your D7 or D8 visa into a full Portuguese residence permit. It is not complicated, but the waiting time is — and the families who handle it best are those who book immediately on arrival and treat the interim period calmly, knowing their legal status is documented even while they wait.
This guide covers the full process: booking, the wait, what to bring, what happens on the day, and what comes after.
What AIMA Is and Why It Matters
AIMA — Agência para a Integração, Migrações e Asilo — replaced the former SEF (Serviço de Estrangeiros e Fronteiras) in October 2023. It handles immigration, asylum, and integration services. For expat families, it is the authority responsible for:
- Issuing residence permits (autorização de residência) to non-EU nationals
- Renewing residence permits
- Processing family reunification applications
- Issuing long-term residency and permanent residency status
Your AIMA appointment is where you complete the residency permit process that began with your D7 or D8 visa application at the consulate. Without completing it, you remain on a visa rather than a residence permit — which has implications for some services, banking, and long-term residency calculations.
Who Needs an AIMA Appointment
Non-EU nationals only. This includes UK citizens post-Brexit, Americans, Australians, Canadians, South Africans, and all other non-EU passport holders.
EU citizens do not need AIMA for residency. EU nationals register their residency at their local Junta de Freguesia — a much simpler process. See our first 30 days guide for how EU registration works.
Step 1: Book Your Appointment Online — Do This Immediately
Go to aima.gov.pt and look for the appointment booking system (agendamento). The system allows you to book an appointment at your nearest AIMA service point — in Porto, the main office is in the city centre.
You can book your appointment before you have all your documents ready — in fact, you should. The appointment slot is the scarce resource. You have time to gather documents while you wait.
What to expect: waits of 3–6 months for Porto and Lisbon appointments are common as of 2026. This has been an ongoing issue since AIMA’s creation and is widely acknowledged. Book within the first 1–3 days of arrival — not within the first week, not after you’ve settled in. Every day of delay is a day added to your wait.
If the online system shows no availability, keep checking daily — slots are released regularly and go quickly. Setting a browser bookmark and checking morning and evening is more effective than waiting for availability notifications.
Your Legal Status While Waiting
This is the most important thing to understand about the wait: you are legal.
Once you arrive in Portugal on your D7 or D8 visa, your entry stamp in your passport combined with your AIMA appointment confirmation serves as proof of legal presence in Portugal. You are permitted to stay, work (if your visa type allows), access the SNS after registration, and use your NIF for all purposes. You are not in a grey area.
Keep your appointment confirmation email printed and accessible. Carry a copy when travelling outside Portugal — border officials at EU borders recognise the AIMA appointment confirmation as valid documentation of your status.
Documents to Bring to Your AIMA Appointment
Requirements can vary and AIMA has updated its document lists since its creation — always verify the current list at aima.gov.pt before your appointment. The standard requirements for a D7 residency permit include:
For the main applicant:
- Valid passport
- Valid D7 visa (in your passport)
- Two recent passport photographs per person
- NIF (Portuguese tax number)
- Proof of accommodation (signed rental contract or property deed)
- Proof of sufficient income (bank statements, payslips, pension statements — the same evidence used for the original visa application, updated)
- Portuguese bank account statements
- Criminal record certificate from your home country (apostilled) — if required and if not already submitted at the consulate stage
- Health insurance certificate (valid policy)
- AIMA appointment confirmation
For dependent children:
- Passport
- Birth certificate (apostilled, with certified translation if required)
- Two recent passport photographs
- If parents are separated or divorced: notarised consent from the non-attending parent
Practical preparation for the day:
- Bring originals AND photocopies of every document — AIMA offices typically want both
- Organise documents in order before you arrive — a labelled folder for each family member speeds up the process significantly
- Arrive early — queues can form even for appointments
- Bring water and snacks if you have young children — waits within the appointment can be longer than expected
- Portuguese language basic phrases for the reception desk are helpful, though AIMA offices in Porto and Lisbon typically have some English-speaking staff
What Happens at the Appointment
The appointment itself is typically straightforward once you’re inside. A AIMA officer will:
- Verify your identity and documents
- Collect biometrics — fingerprints and a photograph — for each applicant
- Review your documentation for completeness
- Issue a receipt confirming the application has been submitted
The appointment typically takes 20–40 minutes per family once you’re with an officer. If a document is missing or incorrectly formatted, you may be asked to return — which is why thorough preparation matters.
At the end of the appointment, you will not receive your residence permit card on the day. You receive confirmation that the application is processing.
After the Appointment: The Residence Permit Card
Your residence permit card (Título de Residência) is produced and sent separately — typically within 2–6 weeks of your appointment, though this varies. You will be notified when it’s ready for collection, or it may be sent to your registered address depending on the current AIMA process.
The initial residence permit is valid for 2 years. After that, you renew for a further 3 years. After 5 years of legal residency, you can apply for permanent residency or Portuguese citizenship (subject to meeting language and other requirements).
Keep your receipt from the AIMA appointment as proof of application status until your card arrives. Your appointment receipt, combined with your passport, is accepted as proof of residence status by most institutions in Portugal — banks, schools, healthcare.
Family Applications: Does Everyone Need to Attend?
Yes — in general, all family members need to be present at the AIMA appointment for biometrics to be collected. This includes children. Plan for all family members to attend.
If a family member cannot attend (medical reason, work commitment), contact AIMA in advance to understand the options — the process for exceptions varies.
Common Problems and How to Avoid Them
- Not booking immediately on arrival — the most common and most avoidable mistake. Every week of delay adds to your wait time in a backlogged system.
- Missing documents on the day — prepare a checklist and tick off every item before you leave the house. The most commonly missing items are: apostilled birth certificates for children, updated bank statements (they need to be recent), and income proof that matches the current period rather than the visa application period.
- Expired visa before the appointment — if your D7 entry visa expires before your AIMA appointment date, this is a concern to raise with an immigration lawyer. Your AIMA confirmation of booking helps, but get legal advice if this situation arises.
- Name discrepancies across documents — ensure your name appears identically on your passport, NIF, and all other documents. Even minor differences (middle name included on one, not another) can cause delays.
Do You Need an Immigration Lawyer?
The AIMA appointment itself does not require a lawyer. Many families attend without legal representation and the process is manageable with good preparation.
A lawyer is worth considering if: your income documentation is complex (freelance, multiple sources, variable), you have specific concerns about document completeness, your visa is close to expiry, or you’ve had any previous immigration issues. The cost of a consultation (€100–€300) is low compared to the cost of a rejected application requiring resubmission. See our immigration lawyers guide.
AIMA procedures, document requirements, and processing times change. Always verify current requirements at aima.gov.pt or with a licensed immigration specialist before your appointment. This article reflects the process as understood in 2026 and does not constitute legal or immigration advice.
Planning the move? Our free family relocation checklist covers the AIMA process, visa timeline, NIF, and everything you need for the first 30 days.