I’ve been regularly following up with my law firm regarding the status of my Golden Visa approval, and this is the latest update I received:
*"We totally understand the anxiety and frustration you must be experiencing due to the prolonged delay in your case. Please rest assured that we have been doing everything possible to obtain updates on your process.
Although your initial appointment was in Lisbon, your case was reassigned to another AIMA office, which is currently experiencing delays in processing. Additionally, we have learned that the final security checks are facing several months of backlog, further slowing down the process.
We have been persistently following up on your case and plan to visit the AIMA office again at the end of this week to seek more information."*
My biometrics were completed in Lisbon on 31 January 2023, and afterward, my file was transferred to the Madeira office. Since then, it feels like the entire process has fallen into a blackhole — no definite dates, no clear timeline, and very little transparency.
I understand delays happen, but the lack of visibility and accountability is extremely frustrating.
Is anyone else in a similar situation, especially with files moved to Madeira? Would really appreciate hearing from others facing the same issues or who might have any updates or advice.
Also — do you think filing a court case would help speed things up or push for accountability?
Same, biometrics on 25 Jan 2023. I reached to my lawyer at the beginning of April whether to file a lawsuit would help in current situation. She said now the Portugal court is full, the waiting time may reach 8 months, she suggested to keep waiting as there is mo other better ways to do.
Ditto. Our biometrics were in March 2023; file moved to Madiera. Recently the AIMA asked us to provide evidence for the renovation, invoices, receipts etc, which were provided. The wait starts anew.
Finally got final approval email. Chronology below.
Nov 23, 2021 Application submission accepted
Jul 07, 2022 Pre-approval
Feb 07, 2023 Biometrics in Lisbon
I filed a lawsuit in mid June 2024 and the judge issued some kind of demand to AIMA in July to respond but their response was simply to schedule a second, unnecessary biometrics appointment in Lisbon. So the lawsuit accomplished nothing. I changed lawyers. We attended the redundant biometrics appointment on Nov 5 2024 and were told that my file had been transferred to the Azores office. Told to expect final approval by month end
Nov 05, 2024 Meeting with AIMA in Lisbon
Apr 21, 2025 Final approval email received
Hi everyone! I’ve been on the long road with my GV application—applied in Jan 2021, biometrics in Aug 2023 (Lisbon) and still waiting for final approval.
Now, my family and I are planning to move to Portugal in a few months , just wondering am I allow to stay in Portugal while waiting for my GV approval ?
If anyone has experience with relocating during pending applications, or the residency rules, I’d really appreciate your advice .
The consensus seems to be that anyone who applied pre December 31, 2021 can live in Portugal even before receiving a residency card, and it is legal beyond doubt. Can search the forum for the exact link of the law/regulation.
To your question, I have a very similar timeline to yours and I did file a lawsuit in January. The judge told AIMA to replay a few weeks back and they have simply said that there is a security check pending. The wait continues.
I didn’t file a lawsuit. My application was in October of 2021, my Biometric appointment was on January 23, 2023, and there has been no progress visible since then.
Hi, yes you can live here. I applied in Dec 2021 and moved in Nov 2024. There are some inconveniences that come with not having a card, but legally you are allowed to be here.
Keep in mind there are still Schengen restrictions. It’s easy enough to travel from Portugal to/from another Schengen country, but best to keep travel direct in and out of Portugal. If you try flying from another country into the Schengen zone after being here for over 90 days, you may run into issues. That’s only while waiting for your card.
This is what my lawyer has just reconfirmed for me. I applied in Oct 2021, and cannot move because I have an elderly parent and cannot risk not being able to legally leave on short notice, and based on the fact it’s taken nearly four years to be approved, I have 0 faith that if I applied for a request to leave legally, I would not get it in time.
Regarding your current legal status: as your application has already been submitted and is under analysis, you are indeed considered to be legally residing in Portugal. This means you are not unlawfully overstaying, even if your stay exceeds 90 days. However, you’re correct that, in order to exit and re-enter Portugal after the 90-day Schengen period, you may need to request a specific travel authorization if your residence permit has not yet been issued. Also, would always to be advisable to enter and exit Portugal with direct flight to the USA.
Almost same dates for me. I just asked my lawyer about our situation and she told me “The file is transferred to Madeira and they recently asked for my tax number”. She thinks we are very close to final approval. I hope this is a good sign.
I received message from my lawyer today that my GV is approved. Requested to transfer EUR 6,179.40 immediately to issue card. My timeline as follows.
Application submitted: 04th December 2021
Bio-metric: 26th January 2023 in Lisbon
GV Approved: 24th April 2025
Wife and son Bio-metric: 9th May 2023 in Porto
GV for wife and Son: Asked for sons school documents sometime in 2024. No news thereafter.
