it’s getting late in Lisboa so probably sometime soon. when I tuned into the canal parlamento just now they were still debating the budget. it’s supposed to be after that.
No ARI is only exempt from one change (Article 98, the 2 year wait before adding spouse). All other changes apply to ARI. 90 day processing time is now 9 months. Family reunification requires proof of accommodation and funds.
1 Like
Why do they bother setting a deadline. most people are still taking 1-2 years…
2 Likes
I’m sure this has been posted already, but how do I contact or write the president? Thank you.
7 Likes
@Andrew77 i asked the same question and it was thankfully posted 17 messages above yours.
1 Like
Ari is implicitly exempt from the proof of housing and funds requirements. The only thing that changed for Ari is changing the timeline from 3 to 9 months.
1 Like
Hilarious to ask ARI people for proof of funds. The proof is in the ARI 
Probably process-wise nothing much will change in this case because it’s a nonsensical limitation.
Also family reunification means that the investor lives here and wants to bring their family here. Doesn’t ARI usually allow adding your family members as beneficiaries of the visa anyway? So they also have to do the 7 days in PT thing or is that only for the primary investor?
I have gathered from the board that some people did not include their spouse or dependents in their ARI in an effort to save a significant amount of money on application and residence card fees (easily tens of thousands of euros). They had intended to do family reunification once citizenship was granted to the primary applicant. It looks like that is turning out to be a less than optimal strategy.
1 Like
That’s a beautifully written article and the facts and numbers are compelling. It’s unfortunate because the Gold Visa was conjured up during the financial crisis in 2010-2011 and since then the budget pressure changed a lot in Portugal. With the tourism boom the country went from budget deficit to budget surplus.
What was initially thought of as an innovative idea to bring money and highly skilled talent onshore has now been maligned alongwith the immigration issue.
I suspect there will be a carve out for Gold visa holders. At least that, for sure if not for all residents who are with cards. About the people waiting for cards, that’s a stickier situation but perhaps they will be generous and do that too.
Ultimately once the new nationality law is passed, most of the public doesn’t care about carve outs and minutae. They’re usually happy that some strong action has been taken and hopefully behind the scenes these very reasonable concessions can be carved out. I would suggest to everyone on this forum to keep the clamor up with legal options and petitions etc.
3 Likes
“implicitly exempt” means they can start enforcing it anytime. “These arrogant golden visa holders were violating the law - now we’re enforcing it” and voters will eat it up.
2 Likes
This article by the founder of GCS is excellent.
14 Likes
Any update from today’s vote?
That doesn’t sound right to me. You are absolutely eligible to apply.
Once you’ve filed a renewal request, your residency stays valid until AIMA makes a decision, even if your physical card has expired. That’s the law. AIMA issues a renewal receipt (usually a pdf called a Comprovativo do Pedido de Renovação do Título de Residência) that extends your stay until the new card is issued.
If the online nationality portal rejected your application, that’s probably a technical limitation of the website, ie it’s not coded to recognise renewal receipts, just valid cards. Unfortunately lazy programming abounds in government websites.
Your lawyer should try lodge the application in person at an IRN counter, and bring proof of your renewal and the AIMA receipt. They will need a POA, but you should have already signed one for them to apply online. Not sure if they will need an updated one to apply in person on your behalf, but if I were you I’d push them on it.
2 Likes
Any update from today’s vote?
The bill was just approved now
3 Likes
Even though this was expected I still feel sick. 
2 Likes
No, they voted on the budget. They haven’t voted on the nationality law yet, but it looks like it’s coming up.
3 Likes
you can follow the text version on Expresso.pt
1 Like
According to Expresso, the timing is 8:30 now (no final do debate e votação da Lei da Nacionalidade, com hora indicativa para as oito e meia.**)
1 Like
The debate has started. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uKovCfUfWFo