With over 400,000 pending cases related to the granting and renewal of residence permits for immigrants, the Agency for Immigration and Mobility (AIMA) has established a protocol with the Bar Association and the Chamber of Solicitors and Enforcement Agents to enhance their capacity to respond. This agreement aims to mobilize over 1,200 lawyers and solicitors to assist in processing the cases, which have been experiencing significant delays.
Objective of the Protocol between AIMA and Professional Associations
The main objective of this partnership is to accelerate the review and decision-making process for applications, alleviating the pressure on Portugal’s immigration system and ensuring greater efficiency in service delivery. The integration of qualified lawyers and solicitors into the administrative processing teams will help address the growing backlog of cases that have accumulated over time more swiftly.
AIMA acknowledges that the lack of human resources has been one of the major obstacles to resolving cases in a timely manner. With the collaboration of the professional orders, it is hoped that the increase in the number of professionals will have a positive impact and contribute to speeding up the resolution of pending cases.
By partnering with lawyers and solicitors, AIMA aims not only to optimize the administrative process but also to ensure that cases are handled with the highest technical accuracy and quality. This joint effort does not involve the initiation of legal actions, as it is strictly an administrative process in which these qualified professionals will provide support.
With this reinforcement, the goal is for thousands of pending cases to finally be reviewed and decided, providing a more appropriate and effective response to the expectations of foreign nationals seeking legal residency in Portugal.
With the protocol now established between AIMA, the Bar Association, and the Chamber of Solicitors and Enforcement Agents, it is expected that the backlog will be significantly reduced, improving the experience for immigrants awaiting the regularization of their status in the country, as more professionals will be dedicated to processing these cases.
If you have a pending case with AIMA or need assistance with any immigration-related matter, please do not hesitate to contact our team.
