# Submitting GV Application via AIMA? **URL:** \ **Category:** Portugal Golden Visa\ **Tags:** portugal, golden-visa\ **Created:** [May 22, 2025, 9:39pm UTC](https://community.nomadgate.com/t/submitting-gv-application-via-aima/71582 "2025-05-22T21:39:43Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![diameter\_handwrite47](https://community.nomadgate.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/d/e79b87/32.png) [@diameter\_handwrite47](https://community.nomadgate.com/u/diameter_handwrite47)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2025, 9:39pm UTC](https://community.nomadgate.com/t/submitting-gv-application-via-aima/71582/1 "2025-05-22T21:39:44Z")
Hi everyone, I’ve made it this far in the Portugal Golden Visa process completely solo—no legal representation or immigration consultants involved—and I’m now at the point where I _believe_ I’m ready to submit my application through the AIMA website (formerly SEF). So far, I’ve: - Acquired my NIF - Opened a Portuguese bank account (used [Bison Bank](https://nomadgate.com/go/bison-bank?source=forum)) - Subscribed to a GV-eligible investment fund (found through NomadGate) But now that I’m on the AIMA portal, I’ll admit that I’m feeling a bit overwhelmed by the interface and I really don’t want to mess up at this stage. I’d be super grateful if anyone could walk me through: - How exactly to navigate the AIMA site to submit the GV application - What documents I’ll need to upload, and in what format (Are scans of certified documents enough, or do I need to ship hard copies anywhere?) - If there are any common pitfalls or mistakes I should avoid Also, two bonus questions: 1. If I decide that this part is more headache than I want to deal with, is it possible to have someone else (like a friend, spouse, or even a paid assistant) submit the application on my behalf? Do I need to issue a power of attorney, or is it as simple as giving them my login? 2. Once the application is submitted, are there any follow-up steps I should be preparing for in advance? I’ve been digging through older threads, but with AIMA being the new system, I figured it might help to ask fresh. If anyone has submitted their own application recently and is willing to share insights (or even screenshots or a mini walkthrough), I’d owe you big time! Thanks so much in advance for any tips, and wishing everyone good luck on their own GV journeys! ---
**Author:** ![garrett](https://community.nomadgate.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/g/3e96dc/32.png) [@garrett](https://community.nomadgate.com/u/garrett)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2025, 9:43pm UTC](https://community.nomadgate.com/t/submitting-gv-application-via-aima/71582/2 "2025-05-22T21:43:37Z")
Just making sure, you’re aware of the huge backlog and general uncertainties? Likely 3+ years to first visa? I don’t know enough to help with the other stuff, but figure it’s worth asking ---
**Author:** ![diameter\_handwrite47](https://community.nomadgate.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/d/e79b87/32.png) [@diameter\_handwrite47](https://community.nomadgate.com/u/diameter_handwrite47)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2025, 9:47pm UTC](https://community.nomadgate.com/t/submitting-gv-application-via-aima/71582/3 "2025-05-22T21:47:50Z")
yeah. Thankfully I am not in a rush, but thanks for letting me know! ---
**Author:** ![Onward](https://community.nomadgate.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/o/e47774/32.png) [@Onward](https://community.nomadgate.com/u/Onward)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2025, 6:00am UTC](https://community.nomadgate.com/t/submitting-gv-application-via-aima/71582/4 "2025-05-23T06:00:18Z")
Several of us did it in 2021. SEF is now AIMA, but the information to submit is the same. It can be done either (1) by asking someone you trust to help (ideally your lawyer as lawyers have special privileges in relation to AIMA), and add your email access as the main applicant while you set up the application (see [SEF ARI Portal - Did you register yourself or just let lawyer handle this?](https://community.nomadgate.com/t/sef-ari-portal-did-you-register-yourself-or-just-let-lawyer-handle-this/41678)), **OR** (2) by the applicant setting up the application and adding the lawyers’ contacts ([HOWTO: SEF Account setup to allow your lawyer AND you to access the account](https://community.nomadgate.com/t/howto-sef-account-setup-to-allow-your-lawyer-and-you-to-access-the-account/43497)). In both cases, everything is visible to the applicant and lawyer, and the applicant gets an email from SEF for appointments, payments etc. But joint access can only be set up **before** the GV application is made. Make sure that you have the _bona fide_ originals of what you submit online. You will need to provide the originals to AIMA later. Every document that is submitted to AIMA as a period of validity (e.g. 3 months for criminal background, 6 months for marriage certificate). So keep track of periods of validity after you submit as you will need valid certificates at biometrics (whenever that occurs). The initial submission does not require the apostilled police records, but you will need them later. If you do not speak/write in Portuguese, I advise getting a lawyer. Begin to use the search function as there are several recommendations of lawyers used by others. ---
**Author:** ![PTbound](https://community.nomadgate.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/p/dbc845/32.png) [@PTbound](https://community.nomadgate.com/u/PTbound)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2025, 6:13am UTC](https://community.nomadgate.com/t/submitting-gv-application-via-aima/71582/5 "2025-05-23T06:13:28Z")
Not that I’ve found PT lawyers to be amazing, but they are useful. Here’s someone else’s experience from this year… have a read of the whole thread above it too: > [@How to make a payment for the initial application fee?](https://community.nomadgate.com/t/how-to-make-a-payment-for-the-initial-application-fee/68026/32): > > Last thing I want to leave for posterity here - if someone wants to do the process themselves - please let me talk you out of it. joy I engaged with the lawyers and I already feel like a big burden got off my shoulders, now I know there is someone else looking out for my best interest. It’s a great feeling and I am very grateful for this forum for convincing our family to do the right thing sweat_smile hearts ---
**Author:** ![tommigun](https://community.nomadgate.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/t/898d66/32.png) [@tommigun](https://community.nomadgate.com/u/tommigun)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2025, 11:11am UTC](https://community.nomadgate.com/t/submitting-gv-application-via-aima/71582/6 "2025-05-23T11:11:57Z")
> [@Onward](#): > > But joint access can only be set up **before** the GV application is made. Not entirely true. The option where the applicant registers by himself first, then submits the application, and only after adds the lawyer’s email, works fine. Speaking from my own personal experience. ---
**Author:** ![Onward](https://community.nomadgate.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/o/e47774/32.png) [@Onward](https://community.nomadgate.com/u/Onward)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2025, 1:25pm UTC](https://community.nomadgate.com/t/submitting-gv-application-via-aima/71582/7 "2025-05-23T13:25:55Z")
Hmm. I did same as you, _and_ added my lawyer, but before application submission. That way, as applicant, I had the senha/code given by SEF/AIMA. Otherwise, as you know, the applicant cannot access the website, and is dependent on the lawyer. But your point that the lawyer can be added later, stands. And is relevant to the OP.