To be honest, my lawyer told me to get it done so I did but I wasn’t in the room when my lawyer handled everything so who really knows if it was needed? Lol!
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Finished biometrics in Cascais on January 23rd without any issues (thanks to Edge International for their preparation of final paperwork and accompanying me through the hour appointment). Unfortunately no spouse appointment this trip so awaiting when we can get that biometrics completed. BTW, Cascais is a lovely place so will spend more time upon our March 2026 return trip before heading back into Lisbon.
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Appointment in Cascais today at 1pm. Lawyer and I went inside at 12:45. Picture and fingerprints at 2:15. Done at 2:45.
They needed updated FBI report and my passport.
Residency card in 2 weeks to 20 years… j/k but who knows!
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Had my appointment in Cascais on Jan 28. It was scheduled for 13:30 and was about an hour late. Lawyer did whatever he does without me. About 15 minutes later he calls me in for the photo and fingerprints. I signed a few papers and was done. Could’ve been an email.
I waited inside sitting in a chair though it was an OK day and lots of people were outside. There are some steps outside for another building if standing is difficult for you. I don’t know where everyone would go if the weather was bad.
BCascais is nice boutique hotel nearby that I’ve stayed at twice now. Great location and includes an American style breakfast where they’ll cook eggs to order. Lots of restaurants in the area though I’ll say Izakaya is truly special.
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Appointment in Lisbon. Stayed at hotel right next door to AIMA office. Pinged my lawyer at 1230 for my 1300 appointment, told her I was next door, she told me to sit tight.
Two hours later she told me I was almost up. I walked over, handed her my apostilled documents from my 2025 update + passport. Sat down for maybe 5 minutes and was called back… signed 3 documents, did biometrics, paid, and was done.
Very much a DMV experience if my lawyer would not have told me to hang tight at the hotel…but that was just luck I guess.
Now in the queue to see how long it takes to get my card. Lawyer said maybe 3-4 months; they’ll get it and send it to me. At this point, that is a short queue. Spouse still in limbo.
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Thx Michael for your feedback. Sounds like a good plan, what was the name of the hotel? I could stay at the same one.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/1rbMYt7A5nnV2LZM8
HF Fenix Urban.
Clean. Nice breakfast. Easy Metro or Uber to/from airport.
Michael Nielsen
m 623-693-9217
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Genuine question for those who are still going ahead with biometrics. What made you decide to stay the course and not drop out after the recent rug pull?
I’ve already made a few wrong calls on PT, so I’m honestly looking to learn from others here before making another decision. Would really appreciate any perspectives. Thanks 
Let’s keep this thread focused on “Share your status about recent Massive biometric appointment” 
There’s 2 existing threads for the pros and cons, see:
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Hi everyone, so we need to bring updated police certificate. I can read cases where they asked for it, isnt it
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For what it is worth…I was NOT asked by lawyer to get a refreshed updated police certificate, (I did one in Jan 2025), went ahead and got a new one so it would be within the valid 90 days of my biometric appointment next week (Feb 2026). When this new one (90 day valid one of biometric appointment), was emailed to lawyer, the response was "Thank you as well for proactively updating the FBI background checks. That was a prudent step, and having reports within the 90-day validity period for the biometric appointment is perfectly aligned with current AIMA requirements…
Sooo…my husband (primary) applied in Oct 2022; I applied in Nov 2022 with a real estate refurbishment investment (3/2022). We have spent the last 4-ish years putting much of our lives on hold based on the “6-9 months for a residency card” that our Investment firm told us was the case at the time of investment; further research now reveals that they likely knew things were a mess then but did not tell us.
In any case, after years of being afraid to do much committed travel (other than trips to Portugal!), and trying to be “at the ready”, we anticipated something being scheduled for the first half of 2025—as promised by AIMA and the Portuguese government. When July 2025 came and went with no news in sight, and after conferring with our Portuguese Immigration Attorney, we told her we were basically unable to keep putting the rest of our lives on hold and may have to schedule a family reunion that had been put off, as family is everything in Portugal, right?
Fast forward to October 2025 and we get a notification that my husband (primary) was given an appointment in late Jan 2026, during the ONE week that we had finally scheduled said extensive family reunion in Mexico, involving dozens of people and lots of money spent on travel plans. Immediately notified law firm, who said they would try to reschedule (but of course it is a fatal mistake on our part, is the message…). Kept checking in with them, no information about rescheduling from AIMA, and so that date came and went with my husband not showing up (and no information about my application.)
I am interested in:
1). Has anyone else had this kind of non-emergent “no-show” situation, and has there been any resolution for you?
2). Does anyone have any information/experience on whether we are dead in the water forever as far as AIMA is concerned, or he just goes to the end of the line for Biometrics appointments?
We of course realize that this was not optimal, but after putting everything off for so long (and not seeing any real or promised movement as repeatedly advertised), we had to move on with living. And of course it was the only week in 2026 that he couldn’t go.
Not sure what else I’m looking for, but happy to hear from anyone who has dared to tempt the AIMA fates this way. And now with the pulled rug situation on citizenship, we’re reconsidering whether the heartache and 13,000 Euros are worth it for residency cards.
Ugh. Thanks for reading this far.
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How did this work out for you? Did they take your spouse at the same time?
I took my spouse on the trip but our lawyer said they hadn’t been successful in getting any spouses in during the primary household member’s appt, which turned out to be true. So, disappointing but we will await that appt and return when called in.
Appointment in Lisbon tomorrow 1:30 pm. My spouse is with me but I don’t have much (any) hope we will get him through for biometrics. I spent two days clearing up a Novobanco KYC hold they put on my spouse to be able to use the funds for the payment but based on what I have read here, I will probably use my US Credit card tap to pay instead of the NB debit and just wire the money home.
Will report back.
Am counting on the supposed 6 weeks for card receipt to be minimum 6 months and that dependents biometrics will be given later this year for next year (basically add a year for Portugal time). Maybe I will be surprised. If this is all about the money you would think it would behoove them to get my €6200x3 sooner rather than later.
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Sorry about your situation, but you probably made the right decision. Your family is most important and you will continue to get jerked around by the system. We had a similar situation with my wife missing her appointment. About 9 months later we were able to schedule an appointment through the mission structure. One thing i learned… you don’t accomplish much in Portugal bureaucracy without being very assertive, but this comes at a great cost to your life and health. Just enjoy the ride and you will get to your destination eventually.
Hi everyone,
I finally got my AIMA biometric appointment for April , but my husband and our toddler (under 5) were not included. 
Traveling that far multiple times with a toddler is turning into a total nightmare.
My lawyer tried but couldn’t get them added to my slot.
Has anyone recently managed to walk in with their toddler or spouse ? Is AIMA being understanding/flexible with families who have little ones, or are they strictly turning people away?
Would love to hear your recent experiences — any hope or advice is hugely appreciated! 
Did you need a new FBI report because your original was submitted prior to 2025? Did they need it with Apostille?
I applied in 2025, but my background check is >90 days old. My lawyer (IAS) said I do not need an updated one, just the original with Apostille. I’m also going to Cascais and it sounds like most people with a background check submitted in 2025 don’t need a new one (?).
My lawyer told me i needed a new one so i bought it. I cannot comment if an old one would have been accepted. You can get one in 2 weeks if you use an expiditer or live driving distance to D.C.
If you have 8 weeks until your appointmemt you can send it to the Authentications Office and skip the expiditor fee.
Appt in Cascais - application was 100% current and complete when submitted in mid 2025. Was asked for parents’ names on some form I needed to sign, then later my ss#. Feeling very pleased I could put something to use which I had brought, I happily presented my social security card. They needed my passport and biometrics were taken for photo, fingerprints and signature (hint, don’t get distracted for the photo). There was a stack of signature cards on my machine when I walked up for biometrics - who knows what that means - maybe keep track/question that.
My attorneys prior to the appt told me I only needed my passport, which was likely the case. I got an updated background check, w/apostille, simply to be safe, but it was never asked about/needed nor was there any discussion about the original, and I probably could have just given them my ss number vs card.
I did attempt to pay w/a US based Visa, which was declined because my bank decided to be overzealous, so my attorney just paid with the backup funds I had wired to them in the event the cc transaction didn’t go through. My backup was supposed to be a debit card from my Portuguese bank, but the production of that card has been… “delayed”… by more than double what the original amount of time it would take. So, my suggestion - make sure you have a solid plan for everything you may need. Being woefully overprepared is better than the alternative, because I can only imagine trying to get the CC situation squared away while there would have only earned me a quick denial.
They only allowed one person per appointment in front of the AIMA staff, so my attorney was the point person and I waited in the “lobby” until the times where I was needed. I had a morning appointment and was in/out in well under an hour.
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