*On October 29th, the SEF – Serviço de Estrangeiros e Fronteiras (Immigration and Borders Service) underwent a major restructuring, in which the former agency was abolished, and AIMA took over control of the administrative processes relating to immigration.
AIMA has started its services with 34 service posts around the country and plans to open at least 10 new posts within a year.
AIMA has received around 347,000 pending cases from SEF and promises to launch an online portal for applications for the concession and renewal of residence permits by the end of the year.
AIMA will follow up the services with a huge investment in digital infrastructure and human resources by hiring an additional 190 employees.
The Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum (AIMA) began its work on October 29, 2023. The creation of the new agency responds to the government’s demand for a new reference on reception, integration, and asylum. AIMA will begin its activities with an overall budget of 81 million euros, more than 95% of which will be financed by its own funds or European funds.
The launch of AIMA formalizes the separation of police and administrative functions, enabling the implementation of new methods, functionalities, and policies to increase and improve the quality of access to services, enhancing the security of processes and
procedures, as well as the trust and credibility of users and society in the system.
Pending cases: 347 thousand
AIMA is already working with a total of 347,000 pending processes, which is one of the Agency’s initial priorities, especially in cases relating to family reunification, reason why in the first quarter of next year it plans to launch.
a specific operation to deal with these pending cases.
Current period and plans: More resources, more technology, more security
AIMA is starting work with several employees of around 740 distributed throughout the country. This number will be reinforced with the addition of another 190 employees, with the purpose of improving the quality and celerity of the services offered.
To bring solutions to pending cases, AIMA intends to implement a massive operation to finish pending cases by the end of March 2024, with the help of local authorities and the network of Local Support Centers for the Integration of Migrants, as well as immediate solutions, such as the installation of an AIMA Contact Center and affiliates, to increase the physical presence at service centers.
AIMA will also be implementing services to ensure greater security and effectiveness in issuing documents.
Key Initiatives
➔ By End of 2023:
• Launch of AIMA Portal: Streamlining family reunification requests for senior residents, eliminating the need for phone scheduling.
➔ First Quarter of 2024:
• Mega Operation to Clear 347,000 Pending Cases: Involvement of local authorities, professional organizations, and Integration Support Centers.
• Strategic Plan for Promoting Portuguese Language Among Migrants.
➔ In 2024:
• AIMA Portal opens for residence permit applications and renewals.
• Establishment of 10 additional service stations.
• High-quality telephone call center.
• Creation of a multidisciplinary national center to oversee international protection processes and support refugees and asylum seekers throughout their journey in Portugal