Delays and errors in AIMA Ombudsman report: What problems stand out in immigrants' complaints?

Delays, document errors and access to information problems experienced by immigrants in AIMA procedures in Portugal came to the fore again in Provedor de Justiça's 2025 activity report.

According to the report, issues related to the entry and stay of foreigners in Portugal constituted approximately 9% of the 9,685 complaints and preliminary investigations that Provedor de Justiça received in 2025.

Particularly noteworthy in the complaints are the long duration of the registration process, the inability to obtain information about the status of the applications, and errors in the documents issued.

Delay in AIMA transactions may also affect other transactions

The cases reaching Provedor de Justiça show that the problem is not just about the late arrival of the residence card.

Failure to document residence status in a timely manner or to obtain the necessary verification from AIMA may make it difficult for the person to perform transactions in other public institutions.

In the report, AIMA's processing times and the inadequacy of information provided to citizens are evaluated in terms of the administration's obligation to respond in a timely and effective manner.

Errors in documents are also subject to complaints

Problems encountered in correcting incorrect or missing information in the residence documents issued by AIMA are also among the files received by Provedor de Justiça.

Such errors can create additional problems, especially in transactions where the person needs to prove his/her identity and residence status in front of other institutions.

In complaints In addition, the inability to learn the stage of the application and the difficulties in communicating with the institution stand out.

Provedor de Justiça does not decide on AIMA's replacement

A complaint made to the Provedor de Justiça does not mean that the application for residence at AIMA will be automatically approved or that the person will receive a residence card directly.

The Ombudsman inspects whether public institutions operate in accordance with the law and good governance principles and can intervene or make recommendations to the relevant institution when necessary.

The final administrative action regarding residence permit remains under the authority of AIMA.

What does it mean for those waiting in AIMA?

For those with an AIMA file that has not been finalized for a long time, the report shows that delays and communication problems are no longer just individual complaints.

However, the publication of the Provedor de Justiça report did not create a new automatic deadline, collective approval or new residence right for existing files.

People who experience problems such as long delays in their applications, incorrectly issued documents or no response can continue to use existing AIMA channels; may also benefit from the complaint mechanism to the Provedor de Justiça, depending on the nature of the situation.

Resources

Provedor de Justiça — Relatório de Atividade 2025

https://www.provedor-jus.pt/provedora-de-justica-entrega-relatorios-de-atividade-e-do-mecanismo-nacional-de-prevencao-de-2025/

DN Brasil — 30 September 2026

https://dnbrasil.dn.pt/aima-provedor-aponta-atrasos-erros-e-falta-de