It means you might be able to look forward to a residence card in 12 months or so if you win the daily AIMA lottery draw to have your application further processed.
Here on the Algarve we are surrounded by folks who received their cards in 3 months having applied for a D7 visa.
Ironically, the processing time promised to Golden Visa applicants once upon a time.
I was among the first applicants after the new process was implemented last year, and tomorrow will be the one-year anniversary of the biometric appointment. I still don’t have the card.
In my opinion, the new process is just a way to speed up the collection of your payments. After the biometrics, the case will be transferred to a department or another regional office within AIMA, and there’s absolutely no predictability regarding when or how long the review process will take.
Indeed they are already salivating over the €85 million in revenue that AIMA expects to reap this year… much of it from us GVs.
No real plans for better service given all that cash, in case you were wondering 
We’re in the same situation, it’ll be the one-year anniversary of our payment in a few days. No matter how many times I email or call to inquire, my case remains under analysis, with absolutely no progress after a year.
It is all about “social equity”. Mr. Leitão - director of Aima already spoke explicitly about the reason of long waiting for GV applicants.
Collecting the fees before giving approval is probably also for the “social equity”.
if I ever sue IRN/AIMA, that a** c**** will be the first name on my lawsuit..
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Yes, This is exactly what our attorney said as well. Notice will be given before end of June with appointments scheduled for 2nd part of 2026 (July - December)
Applied December 2021 and only recieved biometrics appointment for March 2026! Would you know what documents are needed for the biometrics appointment?
I applied in August 2025. My biometrics appointment is in February 2026. As far as the documents I’m planning to bring to the appointment, I’m planning to bring all originals of everything that was uploaded at the time of my application. Not sure if they will ask for any of it, but I’ll have it all with me, just in case.
My thoughts is that if your updated your documents last year in (2025 Q1) likely the biometric appointments that were generated in Nov/Dec of 2025 for Q1 2026 will likely not need any further updated documents. I am in this situation and I have my biometric appointment Feb 2026 and I have not been instructed to produced updated documents. I did go ahead and spent the money to update and apostle the FBI fingerprint report so it would be within 90 days validity of the biometric appointment on the off chance that would be required. I am not planning on updating any other documents unless requested by the attorney.
Thank you Mathew. My last biometric was in May 2024 so I definitely should have an updated one just to be safe. I still have time since my appointment is in March (after 4 + years of waiting).
My attorney has not responded to my emails about what documents to prepare for. It’s so frustrating!
I appreciate your response.
Same here. I, as main applicant, got biometric appointment on April 15, 2026. However not got any news for my family child, spouse. We’re coming far from Hong Kong. What does it mean / how we do the preparation for family?
Hi, not sure if this is the right forum, but i have a question if anyone can help. I applied for GV in sep 2022 through real estate that needs renovation. Anyone knows what is the deadline to finish renovation work. I read that it should be before 1st residence renewal but i m yet to do biometric in april. Not sure what are the timelines in light of the massive delays. Appreciate if anyone has an experience in this and if excessive delay in the renovation timelines can force someone out of the GV program
Appt in Cascais this morning. In and out in under an hour. Agent did not look at the updated FBI report. Despite letting my US credit card company know about the upcoming charge, my card was denied. Fortunately, my debit card attached to EU bank went through. Make sure you have a a couple of payment options.
@alextsb Thanks for your post. My appointment at Cascais is set for mid-Feb. When did you originally submit your application? I’m asking because I’m wondering why you brought an updated FBI check… Was that requested prior to your appointment? As for me, I applied in early August 2025.
@nomadreality In January 2025, AIMA notified lawyers for pending applicants submitted prior to 2025, are now needed to refresh their documents, including an FBI check. It sounds like you are not in that group. Most of us did that several months ago, and lawyers uploaded scans and such. At my appointment a week ago, the latest apostilled FBI check was in the pile of docs. Not sure how critical the FBI check really was, but it was all smooth in the end, and I left with my original apostilled docs in my hand. Now I have two apostilled FBI checks showing Nothing.
Hello all,
Adding my info here from rainy Lisbon! I applied in May 2025. Had my appointment yesterday (Jan 22,2026) in Cascais. They saw me exactly at 3pm, which was my timeslot. Took 25 minutes. They needed my passport, updated apostilled FBI report, and proof of legal entry to Portugal. My lawyer also brought hard copies of other items (marriage license, etc) but I am not sure if it was needed as I was in the waiting room until time to sign and take pictures. The place is teeny tiny.
Adding my info. Original application in June 2022. Refreshed documents for the new process and obtained a fresh FBI criminal record check + other documents and necessary apostilles in March 2025. Biometrics taken on January 14, 2026.
I was not required to update the documents again for my Jan 14th appointment, and just brought the original hard copies of the March 2025 apostilles. It was all accepted just fine. I had also arranged with my lawyer beforehand for them to pay the fee on my behalf, so there were no issues with my cards. Appointment was in Lisbon office just before lunch break, I showed up close to an hour early. Even with the self-imposed additional wait and the afternoon appointment time, the whole process only took a little over 2 hours total. Basically painless with a good book.
That’s interesting they asked you for an updated apostilled FBI report. I applied in April 2025 (from the USA) and was not asked for that in Cascais last week.