AIMA Staff Ready to Facilitate CPLP Residency Card Exchange in Portugal

AIMA Prepares for Residency Card Transition

The Agency for Integration, Migrations, and Asylum (AIMA) is fully prepared to assist over 150,000 citizens from the Community of Portuguese Language Countries (CPLP) in exchanging their current A4 paper residency titles for plastic cards compliant with European Union standards, valid for two years. This transition was approved by the Assembly of the Republic and signed into law by President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa on February 11.

Training for Staff

To ensure a smooth transition, AIMA conducted extensive training for all personnel working across 20 mission centers throughout Portugal. One coordinator noted, "It was a full day of preparation," indicating the government's commitment to an effective rollout. Initially, there were expectations that the decree would be signed on February 3, but the President opted to adhere to all legal timelines.

Notification Process

CPLP residency holders will be notified via email, as all are registered on the SAPA platform, previously used by the SEF (Immigration and Borders Service). Those who do not receive notifications must contact AIMA directly. The procedures will mirror those used since September 2024, including biometric data collection.

Government Efforts

The government is expediting the card exchange to prevent overcrowding at centers, as most of the 400,000 immigrants with pending processes have already been processed. The focus now is on those with denied residency applications who have a second chance to regularize their status. The mission centers will operate until May 31, 2025, aligned with government timelines.

Documentation Verification

There will be strict verification of documentation, especially for those transitioning from the old CPLP titles. All applicants must submit their documents into the AIMA system, including criminal background checks, and pay the required fees. Legal experts emphasize the need for AIMA to act both rigorously and swiftly to address the backlog of individuals whose residency titles have expired.

Future Prospects

The government also plans to allow Brazilians and Timorese to enter Portugal as tourists and apply for residency if they find work or decide to study. Other CPLP citizens will need visas to enter the country. This new pathway is expected to require careful oversight from authorities.