Can we put any pressure on SEF for the biometric appointment delays?

Sure hope this isn’t them looking at the IMGA fund skeptically, which is how I read it

No, I dont think there is an issue with publicly traded funds. There are some people who now are investing in “commercial” properties in high density areas that are probably more accurately described as residential properties. This would only affect people who invested after 2022 when the rules changed.

1 Like

That would be good but not explain why pre approvals are slow for those that invested in 2021

3 Likes

Thank you for the thorough overview. This doesn’t change the fact that the “lucky ones” who already have permits are finding that it is impossible to renew them when the expiration date approaches. SEF acts as we don’t exist. The silence is deafening.

When you say SEF is going though a reorganization, do you mean the order from the government for it to be totally dismantled? SEF is fighting that to the death, including in court. I’m pretty sure there’s very little organizing and optimizing that’s happening inside SEF as long as the standoff continues. The Idealista article last week described an agency that’s rudderless, demoralized and barely functioning.

1 Like

Hi

I dont know and i not part of any forums in hindi .If know know it please give details thanks

BR

1 Like

Hello everyone,

Just read this forum subject and then take a look on the below news: “Portugal’s Golden Visa Program Marks 94 % Increase in May” (Portugal’s Golden Visa Program Marks 94 % Increase in May)

We are a group of GV investors with no light at the end of tunnel, how come more people joining us?

gosh i can’t believe the number of red flags I’m seeing in this news report- simply horrifying.
I’m glad I refrianed from injecting the project funds into my Portugese bank account since the SEF shutdown. But does anyone know how likely would I be able to retrieve my 5k EUR “lawyer fee” from them since everything has been such a nightmare?

1 Like

Given that the article is talking about actual visas granted, not even applications—which are only just now submissable again this year— these are people who submitted applications and did their biometrics months and months ago (maybe even over a year ago). So they are not new people. In fact they are “old” people compared to many of us on this site.

4 Likes

Getting money back from the lawyerYou probably need another lawyer.

2 Likes

Haha very true!
I actually am not sure whether they defined that 5k as lawyer fee or service fee. But any amount I can get back would be good :joy:

Portugal treats other types of immigrants nicely. Look at D7 , look at a new law of 180 days of stay for any potential foreign worker, Portugal creates new work visa for foreigners - The Portugal News, why are they so mean to us who bring in money and skills

1 Like

Because being rich is not necessarily perceived as a good thing by the average person.

2 Likes

Hello! you are not alone. I agree that it is very convenient to SEF to sit on the piles of cases waiting for appointments (in my case, to collect biometrics) and just do nothing. I just found this online complaints platform. SEF says “it is not an organ within SEF” (which does not provide any onbudsman or alike channel, so what can we do right?). I just think that if they felt it was necessary to clarify that the complaints online platform is not “official” or “within SEF” it looks like they pay attention to it and feel the pressure. So
 why not coordinate a joint complain? AIMA - ReclamaçÔes | Portal da Queixa

2 Likes

Very interesting to read some of the complaints on the site. We are certainly not alone on this forum. Hence this begs a question: just how much does anyone pay attention to these complaints?

i checked on this website’s home page but it looks like just a third-party “consumer review” social media. I don’t think this would have any impact on SEF itself, other than a bad internet review :joy:

1 Like

I just applied for GV and wish I had found this site/chat earlier to understand the delay. May I ask how long you have waited? Thanks

If you search through these forums, you’ll find a survey of the wait times people have experienced. The worst was I think one poor fellow waiting three years. I think the more typical experience is application to card in hand about 2 years.

3 months for pre-approval. Will be 1 year in July waiting for a biometric appointment.

Yeah, same here. Also about 3 months for preapproval and nearly a year to hear about the biometrics appointment.
I spoke to my lawyers yesterday and they informed me that the system will start soon again and that it’s in chronological order
 so first in first out type of thing, I presume.

Portuguese Lawyers and Solicitors and both Professional Bodies are meeting with SEF’s Director and with the Ministry, and are prosecuting the Portuguese State.