Due to immigration backlogs, application processing at AIMA was slow, causing frustration among immigrants seeking Portugal residency. To address the issues, immigration authorities were working on capacity building for AIMA Portugal. Portugal has significantly increased its capacity to support migrants from all over the world. The Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum (AIMA) is now empowered to help around 7,000 people every day with documentation and integration support, making the process more efficient and improving access to essential services. The new capacity will help resolve the pending applications for Portugal immigration including D Type Visa categories.
AIMA Portugal Opens a New CLAIM Centre in Fundão
The President of AIMA Portugal, Pedro Gaspar Portugal announced, during the launch of a new Local Centre for Migration Integration in Fundão. This is now the fifth immigration centre offering both biometric data collection and document processing, making integration services more accessible.
Fundão CLAIM centre has been around for years, but its recent upgrade marks a major improvement by offering immigration related services to migrants not just in the local community but across the country as well.
10 More AIMA Centres Planned by the End of the Year
For further growth, AIMA agency Portugal plans to open around 10 new CLAIM centres in the second half of the year. These centres will be built from the existing network of nearly 90 CLAIM centres already operating with local immigration authorities across the country.
“We are working to strengthen our ability to provide quicker response through document-based support,” said Pedro Gaspar Portugal.
This expansion of AIMA centres is a part of Portugal’s broader Migration Action Plan to make sure even the harder-to-reach communities get the timely support they deserve.
How Portugal Immigration Missed Appointments Affect Everyone?
In 2024, AIMA centers handled over 220,000 Portugal immigration appointments. However, 35,000 appointments were unattended, slowing down residency applications and other services. AIMA continues to encourage people to cancel or reschedule immigration appointments in advance if they are unable to attend, helping optimize the system for everyone. So, the processing time for the Golden Visa of Portugal will surely reduce and will help investors get residency permits without delays.
Local Leaders Support the AIMA Services Expansion
Paulo Fernandes, the Mayor of Fundão, shared his support for the recent expansion of AIMA centers and spoke about how important this step is, especially for areas with an ageing population and a shortage of workers. This will help improve the economy as more talented people can get Portugal residency in due course.
“Supporting Migrant families is not just helpful, it’s necessary,” he said. “This initiative strengthens our workforce and sense of community.”