04 Nov AIMA Starts Calling 2025 Applicants for Biometric Data Collection

After a long period of waiting and uncertainty regarding the pace of residence permit applications, there are finally signs of improvement in the performance of AIMA – the Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum.
In recent weeks, several clients with applications submitted in 2025 have already been called to attend biometric data appointments.

This stage is essential for the issuance of the residence permit, and up until now, it had been one of the main bottlenecks in the system. Although AIMA has not yet released an official statement about a new scheduling plan or processing priorities, these recent appointments suggest significant progress in case management and a possible reduction in the backlog accumulated since 2022.

What This Means for Applicants Waiting for a Decision:

Good news: there is real movement in the processing of applications, and AIMA appears to be responding to more recent cases.
Stay alert: notifications are being sent by email.
There is still no official guideline on the order in which appointments are being scheduled — so each case may vary.
Updated documents (passport, proof of income, and address confirmation) remain essential to avoid additional delays.

Legal Support

Our law firm will continue to closely monitor AIMA’s updates and biometric scheduling procedures in 2025, ensuring that clients receive timely and accurate assistance at every step — from the submission of residence permit applications to the biometric appointment and issuance of the residence card.

For anyone dealing with AIMA delays or residence permit applications in Portugal, our team remains available to provide legal guidance and personalized support throughout the entire process — click here to book your appointment (completely free and at your convenience).