Just got word from my lawyers that my application has finally been approved! Going to do payment today and not sure what the status of my wife’s application is yet, waiting to hear about that. (Does anyone know what to put in the ‘reference’ for the payment to the state of the fees?)
Will go update the database!
Application: Nov 17, 2021
Pre-approval: Jun 27, 2022
Biometrics (Lisbon): Jan 12, 2023
No lawsuit
Updated passport requested: Jun 26, 2025
Approval: Sept 2, 2025
I was told by my lawyer that when the status changed to “Transferido SIISEF”, it means that your application has been approved and you should wait for DUC and payment. It took almost two weeks for me to receive my DUC after that status change, however 3 months after the payment, I am still waiting for the card.
My lawyer told me to enter Número de Documento Unicorn de Combrança (DUC) for “Concessão” as the reference.
chill guys, aima is working on bios from summer/autumn 2023 so its around 1.5-2.0 y from bio to final now
IAS (Mercan) Lawyers got card today, Sept 4, 2025.
Application Oct 2021
Pre approval May 2022
Lisbon Bio Jan 2023
Final Approval Jun 2025
Card Arrived Sept 2025 (9 weeks after DUC)
This part of the nightmare is now over, and I will be traveling to Porto to pick up card as I have 0 faith in anything regarding this process anymore, and I cannot risk the card getting lost and facing dealing with AIMA again.
No lawsuits, Issuing office Funchal.
Yes, I can see the trick AIMA now is playing…They will surely process by month as these days some July 2023 bios have got final approval. But what’s important is that they also left many cases far behind like me, already 2y+8m. So it’s kinda of luck draw we are facing.
It’s carved on a stone tablet
Can’t believe I am posting this but we (family of four) recieved final approval.
Initial approval: May or June 2021
Biometric for whole family: 19 October 2022 Lisbon
Approval for the whole family: 11 September
Filed a lawsuit earlier this year but there has been no ruling on it yet
Won’t celebrate until get the cards for whole family in hand which can easily take up to 6 months minimum
Finally looks like my wife will become “legal” soon in this country: after nearly four years since submission and almost three years of residency in Portugal, she has been authorised to pay the DUC!
Here are her dates:
Primary applicant filing date: 10 Oct 2021
Dependent filing date (wife): 19 Oct 2021
Pre-approval: 28 Jan 2022
Biometrics (Lisbon): 18 Jan 2023
Lawsuit won by Primary Applicant: 25 Aug 2024
Final Approval (primary): 16 Jan 2025
Card Issued (primary): Mar 2025, then Jun 2025 (after NIF correction)
Final Approval (dependent): 11 Sep 2025
Card Issued (dependent): na próxima semana…
Good luck to everyone, and don’t abandon all hope yet!..
Just received my final approval. Dates are:
Application: 1 Oct 2021
Pre-approval: 25 Jan 2022
Biometrics invitation: 16 Dec 2022
Biometrics: 13 Feb 2023 (Lisbon)
Final approval: 12 Sep 2025
No lawsuit
Congratulations, Chris.
Just to add, there was no request for any additional documentation since biometrics.
Wow congratulations!! We shared this journey for years!! Glad it finally came. Let’s see how long the card takes but once ot was in my hands I felt so much better!
Congratulations, Chris! Any idea which AIMA office issued the approval?
Finally Chris, congrats!!! I has been expecting your final approval for a year.
Congratulations Chris. So pleased. Received card within 3 weeks of approval/DUC. Hopefully you too.
From which office did your approval memo come?
Thanks. The approval came from Funchal
Hello All!
Just so it’s recorded for your info, I finally received final approval on August 29. Paid card fees September 3. Waiting for card.
Application put in December 29, 2021.
Spouse and Kids (now young adults) pre-approved but waiting on biometrics.
Good Luck!
Hi all - long time lurker here wanting to share an update.
Original Application: 6 Dec 2021 (RE investment)
Biometrics: 10 February 2023 (Lisbon)
No lawsuit
My lawyers just informed me that AIMA is requesting I resubmit my property renovation receipts as well as my criminal background check, so it seems that we are getting close to final approval. No word on if the message came from Lisbon AIMA or another office.
My wife and daughter have additional applications submitted in late 2022. These have had no action taken so far, not even biometrics. TBH, I am unsure if it makes sense to even continue given the potential immigration changes, the current system backlog, and the need for biennial payments once approved. Aside from SEF/AIMA delays, Portugal has been great for us, but maybe it makes sense to transfer to a more readily available and cheaper visa once we are ready to move full time.
Just received my final approval for main applicant only 
Dates are:
Application: 24 Nov 2022
Pre-approval: 24 Oct 2024
Biometrics: 12 Dec 2024 (Porto)
Final approval: 22 Sep 2025
Lawsuit
No update yet on family members who did Biometrics on same day in Porto on 12 Dec 2024