I think you were a Dec 21 application, right? Good to hear your news!
hi Charles. yes, my lawyer told me to have a new PCC with apostille ( I assumee PCC is a police criminal check). Patience, you will get there!
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Hi Onward. Yes, December 4th, 2021 applicant.
The invitation states the following:
Dear Sir…
The Immigration and Borders Service (SEF) has changed the scheduling policy for applications to Residence Permit for Investment (ARI) in order to prioritize older applications.
I suppose they are rushing to clear the backlog for biometrics, so you should be receiving one soon. At the same time, my wife and child are still waiting for preapproval…
Did they apply the same time as you?
Is this not a general opening for biometrics like they’ve done the previous 9 months or so?
Interesting
yes. SEF requested two additional documents for them, which were immediately submitted.
Thanks @peregrine37. I was expressing pleasure that a Dec 21 applicant, with a long wait for pre-approval had an offer for biometrics relatively quickly after the long wait. [I had my biometrics in the first wave of 2023].
You might wish to choose Porto or Faro for the biometrics, if you still have the option.
These 2 locations have had the fastest turnaround time for final approvals and card (after biometrics) in 2023 (ie those with biometrics in 2023 ), compared to Lisbon - which is currently approving those with July/August 2022 biometrics.
@garrett - I think it is the same procedure as before, but a different appointment note. And as in your case, with a long time to pre-approval but shorter time to biometrics. I thought they would open in mid-Sept, but they seem to have opened in mid-Aug!
Onward, thanks for the tip. Ironically, Porto was the first one offered by SEF, but my lawyers opted for Lisbon, since I cannot make it on the dates offered and had to postpone.
Lisbon is terrible, you should avoid it at all costs.
makes me wonder what their “system” was before…
For the avoidance of doubt, @garrett here is referring to the SEF office, not, you know, the whole city
Thank you, yes the city of Lisbon is amazing, Lisbon SEF is massively behind on final approvals
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Try to rebook. My lawyers first booked a slot in Lisbon for my daughter this month, but I asked them to rebook for Faro and they were able to do that. I think it was relatively easy to rebook - shortage of biometric slots doesn’t seem to be the problem now.
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@peregrine37 I would also recommend rebooking to Porto, while we seem to have some leverage there in pushing things along…
Besides, SEF Porto have been very helpful and responsive by direct email, unlike the SEF’s official ‘contact center’.
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Thank you, everybody for the advice. Had contacted the lawyer. I was initially invited to SEF at the town of Guarda (not Porto, as I previously wrote) never even heard of it. But since the date was not right for me, the only available slot was at Lisbon, I guess.
Get your lawyer to keep checking, it’s possible to re-schedule appointments prior and other slots probably become available as people change theirs. It could mean the difference between waiting 4 months or 12+ months for final approval.
hi everybody. does anyone know whether there is any dress code at biometrics appointment? thanks in advance.
No. Dress however you want to appear on your residence card, many years hence
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On the phiscal card, one even can not see what you dressed! 
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It’s basically like going to the DMV. Don’t stress too much, but looking nice certainly makes a good impression compared to dressing like a slob (this applies to most of your life, fwiw)
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