Prismaat_Renovation Residence Permit

 

Portugal’s process for renewing residence permits has evolved. With the dissolution of SEF and the emergence of AIMA, after merging with the High Commission for Migration, plus the allocation of duties to the Institute of Registries and Notaries (IRN IP), applicants need to be aware of the new procedures. This guide provides clear instructions on how to navigate the changes, ensuring your stay in Portugal remains secure and legal.

Eligibility for Renewal

If you’re a foreign national residing in Portugal, you can renew your residence permit through IRN if it’s still valid or has expired less than six months ago. A residence permit is essential for your legal stay, whether temporary or permanent, and requires periodic renewal.

Understanding the Renewal Process

Renewing your residence permit is a systematic process that begins with scheduling an appointment. This can be done through the siga website or via the sigaApp, ensuring you select the correct service and motive for your visit.

Scheduling an Appointment

To book your renewal appointment, visit the siga website. Here’s how:

  • Choose ‘Registo’ as the entity.
  • Select ‘Citizen’ as the theme, with ‘Residence permit’ as the subtheme and ‘Renewal of residence permit’ as the motive.
  • Pick a convenient date, time, and registry office.
  • Fill in your personal details to finalize the appointment. You’ll receive an email with all the necessary information and an appointment code.

Required Documentation

When your appointment day arrives, ensure to bring the following:

  • Your current residence permit or one expired for less than six months.
  • A valid passport or equivalent travel document.
  • Evidence of financial means and accommodation.
  • Proof of tax and social security status, if applicable.
  • Authorization for criminal record access (for applicants over 16).

For more details, check the Justice Portal.

Special Circumstances

Certain applicants, such as workers, educators, researchers, and volunteers, might need to provide additional documentation. However, for investment activities or if you are a victim of human trafficking, renewing at a Registo office isn’t possible. Instead, contact AIMA directly.

Where to Renew

You can renew your permit at multiple locations across Portugal, with a total of 39 stations available between Lojas de Cidadão and IRN offices. Remember, all renewals require a prior appointment to be scheduled.

Renewal Costs

The fees for renewing your residence permit vary. For a detailed breakdown of the costs involved, refer to the 2022 Fee Table provided by AIMA.

The reorganization of immigration services in Portugal is significant, and staying informed about the latest procedures for residence permit renewal is crucial for all non-EU residents. By following the updated process, you’ll ensure that your legal status in the country is maintained without interruption.

17 Comments

  1. Shoan 2 de Fevereiro, 2024 at 18:14 - Reply

    This is very helpful. Thank you. However, every single location in the entire nation gives a message that “There are no appointment shedules available for the selected criteria.” How are people supposed to schedule appointments?

    • Prismaat 5 de Fevereiro, 2024 at 9:51 - Reply

      Hello dear Shoan. Thanks for the feedback.
      You just have to keep insisting and checking everyday. They should open new slots monthly. This past month it opened several slots in some locations. Unfortunately there are some people hoarding appointment slots to then sell them – be aware of this scammers and try to do it yourslef since it is safer.

  2. Amir 23 de Fevereiro, 2024 at 0:58 - Reply

    Hi
    Good morning my card going to expire 2nd March and no slot available for renewal what can I do I appreciate if you give me guidelines.
    Many thanks

    • Prismaat 23 de Fevereiro, 2024 at 9:31 - Reply

      Hello dear Amir.
      Unfortunately you just have to keep trying to get an appointment. Be aware of scammers that say they sell appointments – you have to give your ID to book an appointment so they can be selling slots they got for themselves.
      Best regards

  3. Stephen 9 de Abril, 2024 at 16:15 - Reply

    Having spoken to a staff member at one of the 34 listed locations for the renewal of residency permits I was informed that IRN “has not been authorised to release schedules for the renewal of residency permits”.
    So following the procedure detailed on the Justica portal (https://justica.gov.pt/en-gb/Servicos/Renewal-of-Residence-Permit) is a complete waste of time. IRN has actually removed the Renewal of Residency sub-theme from the Siga site (& the app most likely).
    Following several complaints through the Justica contact form I received a response from IRN (the Coordinator of Registration Operations Center no less) and was told to use the SEF online renewal system (https://www.sef.pt/pt/Pages/pre-marcacao-online.aspx). After navigating through that maze I finally received an error message that my “residency permit is not authorised to use the automatic renewal process” (even though this is the very process that I used to renew my previous permit 2 years ago).
    So the only comment that I can make is that despite all of the issues which SEF had (and was supposed to have) at least they had something that worked. The current organisations have made a complete and utter shambles of meeting their responsibilities.

    • Prismaat 11 de Abril, 2024 at 16:47 - Reply

      Unfortunately we can’t say you are wrong. Keep trying the “old” auto renewal.

  4. Anna 7 de Maio, 2024 at 11:17 - Reply

    what about the timelines to actually getting the approval/ renewed permit after submitting the request? when and how the response is recived? email, phone, post? thre is nowhere any inforation on that.

    • Prismaat 7 de Maio, 2024 at 15:44 - Reply

      It seems they are taking forever if you did it in IRN, and they give no feedback at all. If you are able to do the auto renewal it’s taking a few weeks to be delivered.

      • Anna 9 de Maio, 2024 at 11:47 - Reply

        oh no, I did it via IRN! So what should I do, just try and submit it again via the auto renewal on the old SEF portal? Go on strike in front of AIMA offices? What can be done in this impossible situation?

  5. jt 14 de Maio, 2024 at 12:35 - Reply

    Thank you so much for taking time to respond to questions here, and honestly.

    Shameful process for Residency and renewal.

    I am 7 months expired and have wasted countless hours chasing SEF/AIMA/SIGA.

    Noted SIGA doesn’t list renewals now, what is one to do, return to SEF Offices or Faro Citizens multioffice?

    • Luciana Leiderfarb 9 de Outubro, 2024 at 14:57 - Reply

      Hi there, I’m writing an article on this subject at Expresso newspaper. Could we talk so you’ll tell me your story? Thanks

  6. Rahul Rahul 17 de Maio, 2024 at 9:44 - Reply

    I submiy my document for renewal my TRC in 07-12-2023 and yoday after 5 month i am still waiting even after to me my frind got his card i write many time emails but no any reply i am upsat for this

  7. Mehdi 28 de Maio, 2024 at 20:35 - Reply

    Hi my ID card has expired and I am investor that invested in property. Unfortunately, AIMA slot not opened and there is no possibility to talk with Aima agent. Do you have any news for renewal?

  8. RL 12 de Junho, 2024 at 19:34 - Reply

    I went to AIMA office in Viseu in January. Renewed my residency successfully and paid the fee I am still waiting for a replacement card. Just logged into SEF portal, and found a status of “Awaits Submission” dated 10th May. Do you know what this means?

    • Prismaat 13 de Junho, 2024 at 8:16 - Reply

      You went to AIMA or to IRN? Anyway none of the platforms is properly working so it doesn’t mean anything. You have to ask Viseu about your status.

  9. Hamed abdollahpour 17 de Junho, 2024 at 23:27 - Reply

    Hi hope doing well
    I renewed my residents card in Beja IRS at January 2024. I paid and I provided all documents. It is about 5 month I didn’t receive my new valid card and I need to travel abroad but because of residents expired I can not.😔😔 I contacted to beja and they told me they sent my documents to aima. I really exhausted of this situation and I can not do anything now.
    Thanks

    • Prismaat 18 de Junho, 2024 at 8:57 - Reply

      Hello
      They are taking five months, but they are arriving recently.
      Just confirm if it was sent before to your post and sent back to AIMA (and which AIMA) or if it’s juts AIMA that it is processing the card.

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