Keen to get a status update Watson.
I have similar timelines - applied Nov 21, biometrics invite in Oct 22, biometrics in Lisbon in Feb 23 and then silence. Have plans to spend the summer in Portugal - but need the card before that.
Just filed the lawsuit and hoping for the best for now…
Our lawsuit was submitted on November 23 and was “accepted” (lawyer’s words). AIMA replied on December 11 and now we are waiting for the final decision. They think that we should have some news in the next few weeks. We’ll see…
Lack of Hardship is supposedly the reason my case was rejected. If I already lived in PT, I would have hardship due to lack of visa. Since I dont, no hardship.
So I guess they are telling me to sneak into the country?
Aaron here (AKA “Watson”) -
BLUF (Bottom line up front): Still waiting.
Informational update: Apparently part of the process is checking with the “security services” for some type of background check. This has been ongoing for most of this month. We just returned from our 10 day visit/tour in Portugal (a guided tour) that was planned about a year ago expecting that this time would accrue to our time in country requirement. Clearly, that did not happen, yet the visit was great anyways. We just get to do it over later…
While there, met with our attorney, one of our fund managers, banker, etc. to make the time even more worthwhile. The attorney, Catarina, pointed out that when the “security request” leaves the AIMA/SEF it moves to a different large bureaucracy in the police jurisdiction and that our court order does not reach to them. So, they will get to it when they get to it. Attorney has been pinging the AIMA rep weekly and answer has been the same. I suspect that once the review is back, things should move quickly - but will see.
So, while this pace is disappointing I am pleased that we got the process accelerated by the suit otherwise we would still be patiently waiting in a barely moving queue. Wish we had launched earlier, but our status also had to be far enough out of compliance to be plausible.
While there, multiple folks mentioned that Portugal brings an appreciation for patience. Some version of this was offered from the banker, attorney, and tour manager - all natives. the fund manager was US and now lives there and has had to adapt to a slower pace vs. US expectations. So, I am semi-content to accept that one of the reasons I want to be there is the slower pace, yet it is that very aspect that is hammering me now. The universe has a sense of irony, maybe.
Next arbitrary goal would by Christmas - just because.
Just posted to the forum.
I think you need to tell your lawyers to take it back to court for failure to meet the court order. There is nothing about that explanation that makes sense to me given the approvals of other types of visa’s. The judges orders were very clear. I have lived in Portugal for over 2 years now so I understand the patience needed. I would still tell your lawyers to take it back to court immediately. It’s been a month since they did not meet the court order.
I just wish my lawsuit was successful so I could cut in line too 
A bit of a selfish take. Although I don’t blame anyone for filing a lawsuit if the system isn’t working but consider that every time SEF/AIMA is interrupted it slows down the process for everyone else.
AIMA needs to implement a self-service status check website that will allow applicants to get real time updates. This would alleviate the need for 150,000 telephone calls to AIMA allowing them to focus on more relevant tasks.
If they also implemented a queue system, they could alert applicants that their application will be reviewed in X days, and the applicant needs to ensure that current birth certificate and criminal checks are uploaded to the system. It would speed things up for everyone. With a guarantee that if you upload current documents within that time frame they won’t ask you again for updated documents. It eliminates the need for AIMA to touch your file 3 extra instances.
I am curious if anyone has been able to calculate damages based on the slowness of SEF/AIMA?
Sounds like a dream 
I can tell you there is a country in this world where their equivalent AIMA has that self-service website for an applicant to log in and check their status. And yes, it has a set of 7 well defined stages of an application. Mine is at stage 3. It has been there for 4-5 months already. I can do the self-check 24/7 and see that yes, my application is at stage 3 and everything is ‘fine’.
The indication from my lawyers is that the next stage can be achieved in about 2 years but no one really knows 
So i guess if you imagine AIMA doing this would save this planet then i can only wish you good luck 
Jesus, what country if I may ask? That sounds absurd
Actually from posts I’ve seen in certain online groups, the Portuguese nationality application is a lot like that. There are 7 stages, people can log in and see exactly what stage they’re at … and it still takes 2 years on average.
People can login and view their ARI status too if the account was setup correctly. I dont think it helps!
My family did our biometrics in September 2022 in Lisbon. Our attorneys just sent the demand letter to AIMA which we are told is a precursor to filing suit (which can happen after 10 days of sending the demand letter). I’ll keep you all posted on status. Our attorneys think we have a good shot, but given what we have seen here with whether or not they treat our case as urgent, we’ll see.
FWIW I’ve just signed off for a lawsuit to be filed this week (my first was withdrawn when my application was pre-approved before the case reached the court).
I’m asking for a Biometrics appointment & ultimately my Residence Card.
My lawyers advised filing now was appropriate given the time that has elapsed & I already live in PT.
Applied December 2021.
Pre-approved November 2023.
Will post any updates.
Very interesting to hear that you were pre-approved in November 2023 though - we haven’t seen many of those.
Good luck!
And now it’s my turn.
Yesterday, my lawyers issued the Summons to the Court which will either approve or refuse it. If approved then AIMA will have seven days to respond. As it’s an urgent proceedings, Christmas has no effect on the processing times so we are currently on tenterhooks. We’ll either be celebrating or drowning our sorrows by Christmas Day. Let’s see.
Thank you for the update. I suspect the holiday will have some delay, but sounds like you will still hear back soon. Keep us posted. I have filed a lawsuit also but my lawyers are never very transparent about timelines.
It sounds really easy to overhaul their entire system. That would definitely stop all progress for years in an agency (and country) that doesnt seem to even have a word for “progress”.
What do SEF/AIMA employees call it when they “go to work”? “im going to that other place where i relax”
AIMA is already in the process of overhauling their entire IT system. They have already announced this.