Citizens of Cape Verde, Brazil, Timor-Leste, Guinea Bissau, Equatorial Guinea, Angola, Mozambique or São Tomé and Príncipe who want to live in Portugal do not need to make an appointment with the SEF or travel in person, and can, from now on, obtain a residence permit in the country online
According to official data, there are around 150,000 immigrants from countries that make up the Community of Portuguese Speaking Countries – CPLP – with pending cases at the Foreigners and Borders Service (SEF). This organism is being reorganized because according to the Portuguese Government, it will be extinguished, giving way to the Portuguese Agency for Migrations and Asylum (APMA) and to speed up these pending processes, a platform was created exclusively dedicated to immigrants from Lusophony countries.
This new platform – available from March 13, 2023 – for obtaining a residence permit in Portugal for citizens from Cape Verde, Brazil, Timor-Leste, Guinea Bissau, Equatorial Guinea, Angola, Mozambique or São Tomé and Príncipe, allows the issue of residence permits in Portugal automatically – without the need to schedule an appointment with the SEF or another organism and even without resorting to a face-to-face appointment –The access to the CPLP portal is via: Inicio – ePortugal.gov.pt or www.sef.pt
The new platform arises within the scope of the mobility agreement between Portugal and the countries that make up the CPLP and was presented on March 10, 2023, by the Foreigners and Borders Service, in the space of the Ministry of Internal Administration (which oversees the SEF and will supervise the Portuguese Agency for Migration and Asylum).
In addition to citizens from the Community of Portuguese Speaking Countries, and following the announcement, all those who have CPLP visas issued by Portuguese Consulates after October 31, 2022, can also use this platform, and see their authorization process simplified. The value inherent in this process is €15 and it is expected that, within a maximum of 72 hours, the respective residence permit will be completed and issued.
According to the Foreigners and Borders Service, the approximately 150,000 immigrants with pending cases correspond to issued visas and citizens from one of the CPLP countries who consulted the SEF, expressing their willingness to live in Portugal. However, this number may be lower as many citizens may have left the country in the meantime.
Although the processes are automated, the exception is made when dealing with minors. In these circumstances, after accessing the portal, it will be necessary, later, to be contacted by the SEF, since the legalization processes for minors follow specific procedures.
After these pending situations are resolved and in accordance with the SEF, it is intended to extend the process to all citizens from Portuguese-speaking countries who reside in Portugal and who have not yet submitted the application for a residence permit to the SEF and for those who made after January 2023.
It should be recalled that the restructuring of the Foreigners and Borders Service – SEF – was announced by the previous Government in 2021 and postponed twice. The extinction of this body, giving way to the Portuguese Agency for Migration and Asylum (APMA), was announced this year, as taking place on March 31.
