I am in Fund route and I did pay the same amount for the renew in Sept 2024. 600 is only for the processing renewal application. Then 3k is for card issuance. You will pay 3k later. Bank declaration was about 300-350 for me, i did not remember exactly. Mine card was not changed to D2. Still ARI written on the new card.
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Was it hard to get the biometrics appointment? Did you have to file a lawsuit or your lawyers managed to get it by requesting AIMA? And are you managing to renew before expiry of the first card?
My card expires in early April so trying to figure out the best way to secure a renewal.
Thank you for the precise information! So, the fee is different depending on the status of “realestate-base” and “fund-based ( ← realestate related fund)”.
OK, I feel safe now to proceed to the right step. 
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I didn’t file lawsuit. My card was expired in August 2024.
I started to check the former SEF website if I can do auto-renewal in well advance (6 months before the expiry), but the page didn’t change for a year. I suddenly received an email of appointment from SIGA, not from AIMA, but my case seems to be their mistake… Please keep watching your situation.
No need to worry about it. Keep proceeding whatever you have to do. If they ask you 600 or 2000, you still have to pay for it. Just obey and pay! It is the best way to get out of this mess quickly!
Yes, I will do that 
I have been locked down in Portugal for a year… It will take appx 6 months to get a new card, right? Hope I can finally go abroad this summer.
I wanted to check if my process is ok. Thanks for your info!
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Can you clarify what you mean “you just visited AIMA” ?
From what I understand this is not possible to just walk up to AIMA office and be seen without an appointment. I have read from dozens of people said that this is impossible. Maybe you have a secret way?
I assume they mean they were recently there, not that they “just” stopped in
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I was trying to get clarification. Her explanation doesn’t make sense. She received an appointment by email from SIGA. This would be an IRN appointment which is not an ARI renewal. But then she mentions that she went to the AIMA office. IRN and AIMA are not interchangeable, so something doesn’t add up.
If she did go to the AIMA office to be seen, it seems she has unlocked some secret level to the game.
If she went to the IRN for renewal, then I am afraid that her residence card was converted to a regular D2 and she will need to maintain 10 months of in-country presence to keep the card valid. IRN does not have capability to renew ARI which is clearly stated on their website.
SIGA is a generic platform which can be used to book appointments for Healthcare centre, Social security, IRN et al., there are no red flags to begin with.
Just to clarify is your fund a Real Estate based or a Something else? Would be helpful if you can let me know the duration of the the newly issued card. I have heard both the versions, people who have gotten 3 years, converted to D2 and paid 177 Euros, another one 2 years with the same fees you have paid. Thanks
Seems it was confirmed at the AIMA meeting yesterday that online renewals are no more. 
Seems so short-sighted of them.
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Man, this article is so full of glaring mistakes I almost thought I was reading TPN. I would expect better from Publico…
its just something my lawyer shared with me.
tl;dr AIMA will resume, on January 15, the processes of residence permit, with family reunification for golden visa holders.
Hi everyone
Are we talking about automatic renewal regarding the AIMA announcement? ( resuming starting 15 of January 2025 )?
No, the article talks about the resumption of pre-approvals/biometrics appointments for those that still didn’t reach that stage of their original application. This is being discussed in detail elsewhere:
Based on AIMA’s recent statements it seems automatic renewals will not be a thing going forward.
I can confirm on my end. My lawyers said renewals will now be in-person again. I’m a bit disappointed, but hey, that’s how it goes sometimes. Fingers crossed they change their minds. 
But still the appointments for renewal are not available? Does anybody when the appointment will be available for renewal. The 15 January news is for the new applications I think.
Our lawyer also confirmed that renewals would be in person, but there was no mention at the AIMA meeting as to when we would be able to schedule. I was fortunate to be able to renewal online during that brief window of opportunity, but my spouse is still awaiting a chance to renew.
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