There is no longer a pre-approval stage. The application process only begins after on-site biometrics and submitting all the required documents. This does not mean you have been pre-approved. The lengthy review process has only just begun.
May I know what are the required documents so I can prepare for my biometrics appointment in March 2026?
I had to have a recent copy of my criminal record, and current passport. However, you may be required to have additional documents. Your attorney will be able to best assist you with current requirements as my biometrics was 3 years ago.
Thank you for your response. I’ll need to have an updated one since the last one was dated May 2024. My attorney has not responded to my emails. I don’t know why. Appreciate to be a part of the nomad gate community!
I wonder if anyone has a similar situation like mine.
I got my card issued and printed a few days back; however, my kids and spouse are still stuck in the “Under Analysis” status.
Any thoughts will help, as my lawyer tells me that they are unable to do anything.
Same here, been nearly a year like that…
I just did my biometrics in Lisbon. 2 hour wait, but once in, went smoothly. I didn’t have to update my FBI report from last year. Now to wait for the card. And to wait for the rest of my family (husband and two teens) to get their biometrics scheduled!
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I had my biometrics appointment on Jan 29 in Lisbon. It was scheduled for 11:30am but it was at least a two hour wait. My husband (dependent) was with me and we brought his documents just in case they could process him too, but that didn’t happen. I brought the original FBI apostille document (as requested), my US passport, and my credit card. I also gave my flight boarding passes US-CDG (entry into Europe with a passport stamp), CDG-LIS (different date and airline) which we made a point to print out at the airports. I’m not sure what was needed, but our IAS rep put everything into our file. According to IAS, the AIMA office was understaffed because of sick employees. They also stagger lunches, which slows everything down, so it seems that earlier appointments might be processed faster.
I was worried about a fraud alert when paying the fee, but the agent just tapped my card and the machine spit out a receipt. I kept spend off of that card to keep our available credit high, on the off chance that we could process both my husband and I. I did use the card a few times in Europe so Capital One wasn’t shocked by one giant transaction. Who knows if that made a difference?
IAS was super nice, as usual. We met beforehand at the office so we could discuss the investment (and the return), and we actually stayed at the hotel we invested in through Mercan (Moxy Alfragide) and that was especially fun. It was kind of shocking that Mercan could build a hotel months faster than AIMA could book a fingerprint appointment, but I digress.
While waiting for AIMA, IAS let us sit in a much warmer cafe down the street and they called us just before my number was called. That office was COLD and the seats are steel so dress warmly. The actual biometrics took only a few minutes. They have a customs style bollard that takes your photo and fingerprints. And then you tap your card and leave. It was all very anticlimactic after 3.5 years of waiting.
Given the pace of processing Primary Applicants, IAS opined that Dependents would be called for appointments in the second half of the year. I hope this is the case as it is stressful to be on a separate timeline than my husband.
I hope my personal biometrics account is helpful, but am happy to answer any questions I can!
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Shocking but not surprising 
Congrats on inching forward.
I think you and I are one of many in the same situation. My card was issued June, 2025 after biometrics in 2023 (I think it’s been so darn long I forget). My husband’s application mid-Jan 2021, biometrics early April, 2025 and still no card. I don’t even think they show his payment as processed even though we paid in full! Our lawyers also at a loss of what to say as they don’t understand it either.
Thank you for your sharing your biometric appointment experience in Lisbon. It’s very helpful.
My appointment is in March in Porto. I was also told by our attorney to bring documents (criminal record, marriage certificate, travel insurance) for my husband in case they can process us together (I’m the primary applicant but I don’t understand why my husband did not receive a biometric appointment when we applied only 1 day apart)! Processing time is insane- we applied late December 2021 and I only got called for biometrics this year! I wonder how long it will take to receive the card?? It seems like some receive it in a couple of months while others have to wait years!
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Two quick questions…
What type of card (debit or credit) did you use and the country of issue? Wondering if we can pay with a US credit card, and if they charge any fees on a credit card.
Did they say when to expect to get your visa?
Thanks.
I paid with a US based Capital One Venture card (2pts/$ + no foreign transaction fees). Typically credit cards offer the best exchange rate and the most protection against fraud.
Plenty of recent payment experiences in the following thread. Have a read back of the past month or so, e.g.
As for when you’ll get your visa, anybody’s guess!
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That is good to hear. We have our appointment next month and would much rather pay with a US credit card than a debit card, but plan to bring both.
Was also wondering if anyone had used a Wise debit card for payment successfully.
I have a NovoBanco debit card and would prefer to use that since we have euros, but it’s good to know we can use our US credit card too. How much is the fee- is it $6000?
6,179€ around there. Since I used my US card, it came out to over $7000. I did not use my Novobanco debit card. I have had so many issues with Novbanco freezing my account over a KYC problem, my pin not working, the matrix card being wrong etc that I didn’t trust Novobanco to not mess it up. Instead I went day before to novobanco in person (because it locks me out randomly of certain features online too!) and wired the euros (which I had bought at a much better rate two years ago) back to my US bank. If cost me about 10 extra euros to do it that way but the peace of mind at time of appointment worth every dollar.
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Was also wondering if anyone had used a Wise debit card for payment successfully.
I successfully used a Wise debit card last week.
Appreciate your response. We share the same issues with Novobanco. Will definitely stop by the bank when we’re there to make sure everything is in order with our account. I will come back here to report on my experience with our biometrics appointment next month.
Good questions. From what I’ve seen, most people have been able to use a U.S. credit card, but it can depend on the specific office or system. Some have had occasional declines, so it helps to have a backup card just in case. On fees, it’s usually more about your bank’s foreign transaction fee than anything added locally.
As for timing, a lot of people are being told pretty broad estimates, and in practice it still seems to vary a lot depending on workload and location.