# PGV / ARI Rage, Tragedy, & General Madness **URL:** \ **Category:** Portugal Golden Visa\ **Tags:** portugal\ **Created:** [September 17, 2024, 6:11am UTC](https://community.nomadgate.com/t/pgv-ari-rage-tragedy-general-madness/66450 "2024-09-17T06:11:34Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 40
**Author:** ![PTbound](https://community.nomadgate.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/p/dbc845/32.png) [@PTbound](https://community.nomadgate.com/u/PTbound)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2026, 3:37pm UTC](https://community.nomadgate.com/t/pgv-ari-rage-tragedy-general-madness/66450/797 "2026-01-22T15:37:11Z")
Thanks, I’ll try add some of those when I get a chance. I do allude to the uncertainty and risk that rules may change under one’s “non-citizen” feet. EDIT 25-Jan '26: added new points to existing table at: > [@Portugal: Permanent Residence Permit for Investment Purposes](https://community.nomadgate.com/t/portugal-permanent-residence-permit-for-investment-purposes/25438/54): > > Thought I would compile the excellent advice in this PR thread (and others, plus my own research) into a table so it’s easier to compare. At some point this should probably become a Wiki, but it’s still early days. In particular I wanted to sanity check [GV Promoter claims](https://community.nomadgate.com/t/pgv-ari-rage-tragedy-general-madness/66450/656) that “Permanent Residence is almost as good as Citizenship,” now that PT Citizenship may get much harder to attain. warning table below is still in draft, especially items in [square brackets]. Helpful corrections/additions… ---
**Author:** ![Hippopotamousse](https://community.nomadgate.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/h/c89c15/32.png) [@Hippopotamousse](https://community.nomadgate.com/u/Hippopotamousse)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2026, 3:42pm UTC](https://community.nomadgate.com/t/pgv-ari-rage-tragedy-general-madness/66450/798 "2026-01-22T15:42:58Z")
> [@anonymous100](#): > > banks threatening to close our accounts because they know we’re heading into renewal limbo How evil! Is your ARI via the fund pathway? Could this put your ARI status at risk? ---
**Author:** ![PTbound](https://community.nomadgate.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/p/dbc845/32.png) [@PTbound](https://community.nomadgate.com/u/PTbound)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2026, 7:09pm UTC](https://community.nomadgate.com/t/pgv-ari-rage-tragedy-general-madness/66450/799 "2026-01-27T19:09:18Z")
I’m sure it’s more complicated than this brief article suggests, but sound familiar? > ### Spain will regularize half a million immigrants. > > **Spain will proceed with an extraordinary process to regularize the legal status of foreigners living and working in the country,** which is expected to cover half a million people, the government announced on Tuesday. > > The start of the process was approved by the Council of Ministers and is **intended for foreigners who had been living in Spain for at least five months by December 31, 2025,** or who had requested international protection from the Spanish authorities by the same date and who, in both cases, have no criminal record, explained the Minister responsible for migration, Elma Saiz > **[Espanha vai regularizar meio milhão de imigrantes](https://observador.pt/2026/01/27/espanha-vai-regularizar-meio-milhao-de-imigrantes/)** > > Início do processo foi aprovado pelo Conselho de Ministros e destina-se a estrangeiros que viviam no país há mais de cinco meses em 31 de dezembro de 2025 ou que tenham pedido proteção internacional. ---
**Author:** ![anonymous69](https://community.nomadgate.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/a/d26b3c/32.png) [@anonymous69](https://community.nomadgate.com/u/anonymous69)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2026, 4:11am UTC](https://community.nomadgate.com/t/pgv-ari-rage-tragedy-general-madness/66450/800 "2026-01-30T04:11:29Z")
If you have a minute here is a super fun survey from reddit: [https://old.reddit.com/r/PortugalExpats/comments/1qqafzd/subject\_research\_struggling\_with\_aima\_we\_want\_to/](https://old.reddit.com/r/PortugalExpats/comments/1qqafzd/subject_research_struggling_with_aima_we_want_to/) > Hi everyone! > We are a group of **UX/UI Design students** and, like many of you, we’ve been following the ongoing **challenges with the AIMA platform in Portugal**. > We are conducting a **study to understand the main pain points, technical bugs, and navigation issues that immigrants face when trying to use their services** (in person or digital) . Our goal is to **propose a more human-centered and functional solution** as part of our project. > If you have 5 minutes to spare, please help us by filling out this anonymous survey: > 🔗 [SURVEY LINK](https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc8l0sfqe6TTudQF87IyT8bFHoLs8s8n_l7e4g3jkT-3Otf0w/viewform?usp=header) ---
**Author:** ![PTbound](https://community.nomadgate.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/p/dbc845/32.png) [@PTbound](https://community.nomadgate.com/u/PTbound)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2026, 7:25am UTC](https://community.nomadgate.com/t/pgv-ari-rage-tragedy-general-madness/66450/801 "2026-01-30T07:25:57Z")
> [@anonymous69](#): > > [https://old.reddit.com/r/PortugalExpats/comments/1qqafzd/subject\_research\_struggling\_with\_aima\_we\_want\_to/](https://old.reddit.com/r/PortugalExpats/comments/1qqafzd/subject_research_struggling_with_aima_we_want_to/) As an ancient ‘UX’ professional myself… the rubbish old SEF portal is the least of our problems. At least it kind of works, unlike the rest of AIMA: - totally broken processes - massive political meddling in the rate of processing - shifting priorities - chasing political gains like dropping everything to find irregular immigrants, so they can produce news stories about expelling them - systems that don’t interoperate with each other - ‘new’ procedure and system launches that work for 2 weeks and then fall apart - etc., etc. ---
**Author:** ![wood.collies.0j](https://community.nomadgate.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/w/ce73a5/32.png) [@wood.collies.0j](https://community.nomadgate.com/u/wood.collies.0j)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2026, 9:35pm UTC](https://community.nomadgate.com/t/pgv-ari-rage-tragedy-general-madness/66450/802 "2026-01-30T21:35:34Z")
> [@anonymous69](#): > > If you have 5 minutes to spare It’s cute that they think we could limit the rage of experiencing AIMA platforms to five minutes. ---
**Author:** ![anonymous69](https://community.nomadgate.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/a/d26b3c/32.png) [@anonymous69](https://community.nomadgate.com/u/anonymous69)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2026, 12:15am UTC](https://community.nomadgate.com/t/pgv-ari-rage-tragedy-general-madness/66450/803 "2026-01-31T00:15:41Z")
Take as much time as you need. I think it’s a good opportunity to at least get our voices heard by _someone_. ---
**Author:** ![wood.collies.0j](https://community.nomadgate.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/w/ce73a5/32.png) [@wood.collies.0j](https://community.nomadgate.com/u/wood.collies.0j)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2026, 6:13am UTC](https://community.nomadgate.com/t/pgv-ari-rage-tragedy-general-madness/66450/804 "2026-01-31T06:13:33Z")
Oh I agree. If only the Portuguese govt would actually let these tech kids loose on the system. ---
**Author:** ![PTbound](https://community.nomadgate.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/p/dbc845/32.png) [@PTbound](https://community.nomadgate.com/u/PTbound)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2026, 9:46pm UTC](https://community.nomadgate.com/t/pgv-ari-rage-tragedy-general-madness/66450/805 "2026-02-10T21:46:25Z")
AIMA announced this yesterday. Following is all I know about it. **Unclear if it applies to ARI** (the AIMA screenshots do show examples for “Renovação de Autorização de Residência” as well as “Manifestação de Interesse” and CPLP), or if lawyers/etc. can attend in your place. I do hope this doesn’t result in emails like _“Hey you, living thousands of miles away. Please attend this appointment we scheduled at our convenience that may be totally unworkable for you. Oh, and you probably can’t reschedule because we don’t know how to do that.”_ 🙄 > **[AIMA requests "new in-person document verification"](https://www.theportugalnews.com/news/2026-02-10/aima-requests-new-in-person-document-verification/957335)** > > AIMA has been summoning immigrants via email to an in-person appointment to verify documents. Original post on Facebook: > Following the analysis of grant applications or renewal of residence permit, a new in-person documentary verification may be required. If you received a call, by **e-mail, with the subject “Scheduling new service for documentary verification” and according to the model presented in the images, you must attend in person at the place, day and time indicated in it.** > > On the day of the new service, you must take your passport and the notification received, which you must show at the entrance of the service station. > > This verification is mandatory in person, scanned documents are not accepted. **Failure to show up can lead to the refusal of the residence permit application.** > **[AIMA Agência para a Integração, Migrações e Asilo](https://www.facebook.com/AgenciaAIMA/posts/pfbid02mjnKenvWd9ssjoCtRS4i3LtBLZ28fvtmkWyi3FTncV1LbKjJmWaxFHBkF8DLRuzol)** > > No seguimento da análise dos pedidos de concessão ou renovação de autorização de residência, pode ser necessária uma nova verificação documental presencial. Se recebeu uma convocatória, por e mail,... ---
**Author:** ![PTbound](https://community.nomadgate.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/p/dbc845/32.png) [@PTbound](https://community.nomadgate.com/u/PTbound)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2026, 9:07pm UTC](https://community.nomadgate.com/t/pgv-ari-rage-tragedy-general-madness/66450/806 "2026-03-06T21:07:50Z")
Gotta’ love the GV hucksters… [Holborn Assets](https://holbornpass.com/country-programme/portugal-golden-visa/) wrote the advertorial below saying that the GV process is going digital and everything is grand 🤗 [https://www.portugalresident.com/portugals-golden-visa-is-going-digital-and-processing-is-finally-improving/](https://www.portugalresident.com/portugals-golden-visa-is-going-digital-and-processing-is-finally-improving/) However if you read the [NG thread about the new online ARI renewal portal](https://community.nomadgate.com/t/new-online-ari-renewal-process-feb-2026/75938/154)… well, not so grand 😠 Of course Holborn still lives in the following dream world 🙄 ![Screenshot 2026-03-06 at 21.05.40](https://c-assets.nomadgate.com/original/2X/5/57510007856c8e712735546a6796f76732ce3371.png) ---
**Author:** ![flowershack](https://community.nomadgate.com/user_avatar/community.nomadgate.com/flowershack/32/8724_2.png) [@flowershack](https://community.nomadgate.com/u/flowershack)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2026, 9:18pm UTC](https://community.nomadgate.com/t/pgv-ari-rage-tragedy-general-madness/66450/807 "2026-03-06T21:18:11Z")
This is amazing! They clearly have an advantage in terms of timing. I’m thinking we should all make _new_ investments in their funds so that we have a second shot, right? Sure thing? ---
**Author:** ![servettasman](https://community.nomadgate.com/user_avatar/community.nomadgate.com/servettasman/32/6258_2.png) [@servettasman](https://community.nomadgate.com/u/servettasman)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2026, 9:22pm UTC](https://community.nomadgate.com/t/pgv-ari-rage-tragedy-general-madness/66450/808 "2026-03-06T21:22:21Z")
there must be a special place in hell for these snake oil salesman types. ---
**Author:** ![Odd\_maiden](https://community.nomadgate.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/o/73ab20/32.png) [@Odd\_maiden](https://community.nomadgate.com/u/Odd_maiden)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2026, 8:52am UTC](https://community.nomadgate.com/t/pgv-ari-rage-tragedy-general-madness/66450/809 "2026-03-12T08:52:18Z")
Holborn is literally the worst, the most unprofessional people I’ve dealt with. Wouldn’t be surprised if they’re running some kind of massive fraud. ---
**Author:** ![PTbound](https://community.nomadgate.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/p/dbc845/32.png) [@PTbound](https://community.nomadgate.com/u/PTbound)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2026, 6:37am UTC](https://community.nomadgate.com/t/pgv-ari-rage-tragedy-general-madness/66450/810 "2026-03-15T06:37:22Z")
Long application waiting times, Governments changing nationality laws, appeals to the Constitutional Court, people suing for “legitimate expectations”… …not Portugal, but Italy this time! > **[Italy ruling tells millions with Italian roots they have lost the right to...](https://edition.cnn.com/2026/03/14/travel/italy-citizenship-law-restrictions-constitutional-court)** > > Italy’s Constitutional Court has signaled support for a controversial law restricting citizenship by descent, a move that could block millions of people abroad from claiming Italian nationality. ---
**Author:** ![Chefe](https://community.nomadgate.com/user_avatar/community.nomadgate.com/chefe/32/5862_2.png) [@Chefe](https://community.nomadgate.com/u/Chefe)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2026, 12:57pm UTC](https://community.nomadgate.com/t/pgv-ari-rage-tragedy-general-madness/66450/811 "2026-03-15T12:57:19Z")
Rug pulls all around. ---
**Author:** ![PTbound](https://community.nomadgate.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/p/dbc845/32.png) [@PTbound](https://community.nomadgate.com/u/PTbound)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2026, 4:28pm UTC](https://community.nomadgate.com/t/pgv-ari-rage-tragedy-general-madness/66450/812 "2026-03-18T16:28:32Z")
Not the usual fraud that is the PT GV itself… an even more diabolical one! > ### Fraud linked to golden visa houses ends with eight arrests. > > _Vacant properties belonging to foreigners were sold fraudulently, using forged documents and changing the locks._ > > “The investigation originated from complaints filed in July 2025 by **foreign citizens with Residence Permits for Investment in Portugal, whose homes, which they had acquired but did not inhabit because they resided abroad, were fraudulently sold in their supposed name and without their consent** to unknown individuals,” the police described in a statement. The cases involve apartments but also houses in Cascais, Sintra, and Amadora. > **[Burla ligada a casas dos vistos gold acaba com oito detidos](https://www.publico.pt/2026/03/18/sociedade/noticia/burla-ligada-casas-vistos-gold-acaba-oito-detidos-2168313)** > > Imóveis devolutos que pertenciam a estrangeiros foram vendidos de forma fraudulenta, com recurso a documentos falsos e a troca de fechaduras. ---
**Author:** ![DrNBC](https://community.nomadgate.com/user_avatar/community.nomadgate.com/drnbc/32/7618_2.png) [@DrNBC](https://community.nomadgate.com/u/DrNBC)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2026, 6:21pm UTC](https://community.nomadgate.com/t/pgv-ari-rage-tragedy-general-madness/66450/813 "2026-03-18T18:21:07Z")
Dios mio. I couldn’t imagine how awful and terrifying that would be. ---
**Author:** ![kay](https://community.nomadgate.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/k/ed655f/32.png) [@kay](https://community.nomadgate.com/u/kay)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2026, 9:11pm UTC](https://community.nomadgate.com/t/pgv-ari-rage-tragedy-general-madness/66450/814 "2026-03-18T21:11:30Z")
Here I thought it was just Costa Rica! /s ---
**Author:** ![Hippopotamousse](https://community.nomadgate.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/h/c89c15/32.png) [@Hippopotamousse](https://community.nomadgate.com/u/Hippopotamousse)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2026, 4:31am UTC](https://community.nomadgate.com/t/pgv-ari-rage-tragedy-general-madness/66450/815 "2026-03-19T04:31:41Z")
Wonder who was actually arrested… 😅 usually the Iberian countries blame landowners for the actions of squatters… ---
**Author:** ![servettasman](https://community.nomadgate.com/user_avatar/community.nomadgate.com/servettasman/32/6258_2.png) [@servettasman](https://community.nomadgate.com/u/servettasman)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2026, 6:57am UTC](https://community.nomadgate.com/t/pgv-ari-rage-tragedy-general-madness/66450/816 "2026-03-19T06:57:05Z")
they may even decline to prosecute in the name of social equity! [Previous page](https://community.nomadgate.com/t/pgv-ari-rage-tragedy-general-madness/66450.md?page=39) [Next page](https://community.nomadgate.com/t/pgv-ari-rage-tragedy-general-madness/66450.md?page=41)