Hopefully, they will attend to January, 2022 applications for dependants…still no update for spouse. 
It feels like it’s going to be a toss-up whether we are first pre-approved or qualify for citizenship. We’re now almost two years in to the process with no pre-approval.
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You don’t qualify for citizenship until at least your first card is issued. So if you get close to the 5 year time and no card, strongly consider a lawsuit.
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I was being ironic, but you make a good point. I’d like to think we’ll get a residence card long before we qualify for citizenship, right…?
You’d hope. But there are people who are close to 3 years from their biometrics with no card. So 5 years from application date is not much of a stretch
Yeah, at this rate there’s going to be someone who applies for citizenship the same day they get the GV card. (Assuming the 5 year counter starts at application date - that remains to be seen too!)
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This is all very dispiriting for a gray, rainy day.
Hello everyone,
Is it true that the initial residency card for GV applicants will be valid for 3 years? I heard this from a friend but couldn’t find any information on this on the internet.
With the new law which states that the 5-year starts from the date of the application, does it mean we will not have to apply for any renewal, and apply directly for a citizenship? Does this change also mean that we will pay less fees in total for the program?
We applied through the real estate route in July 2023 and waiting for our biometrics appointment to be scheduled. Reading the messages on this forum, I am aware that we will not get an appointment anytime soon.
You applied July 2023 and have pre approval already and waitingfor biometric? Did you file a lawsuit or is that a typo?
Oops, did I post to the wrong topic? We don’t have any pre approval. I wasn’t aware that there is a stage between the initial application (the stage in which we paid a fee for the analysis of our application) and the biometrics appointment.
You submit your documents. You are now waiting for pre approval.
After your status changes to candidato aceito or something along those lines, you are pre approved and waiting for biometrics.
After biometrics you are waiting for final approval
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I recently received a card, valid for 2 years.
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I wonder if anyone else has made complaints via livroamarelo but got no response from AIMA/SEF,though it is said they must respond in 15 working days according to some law.
Is a no-cost option I believe (?), so worth a try. But I don’t hold out much hope, given that AIMA seems to be ignoring expensive court orders now too:
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Do you all have a login/password to access the AIMA system to follow your ARI process? https://ari.sef.pt/Account/Entrada.aspx
My lawyer claims that I cannot have access.
I would appreciate it if someone could send me an image, website or document that informs a client can access the AIMA system. Thanks!
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Yes, you can have access. I’ve had it since I first applied in 2021. To be honest I forget how I got it but it’s been discussed extensively in these boards or maybe someone else will know…
does anyone know how long is it for SEF/AIMA to update their record online? i have submitted my new passport IDs to a AIMA desk in FARO in MAY this year to update my expired passport ID, but my ARI webpage still shows the old passport ID in their record
Gerry, your original passport number will never be updated on the SEF/AIMA ARI portal, but it does not matter at all as your application would still be processed.
What matters is all your documents should be up-to-date when you submit them at your biometric appointment.
I tried asking my firm for access. They were reluctant and wouldn’t give me these details. Is this normal behavior?