The Average processing time for Portugal golden visa program has improved to 6 months in 2025 for new applications, according to our latest experience with applicants . This was due to huge backlog of 400,000+ applications registered with AIMA Agency. The legislation change along with restructuring of immigration administration (SEF disbanded replaced by AIMA) and understaffing, has caused further delays in processing applications. A number a lawsuits filed on AIMA causing significant delays with applications.
AIMA has extended validity of expired visas and residence permits. All residence cards and visas relating to stay in national territory, which expired from 22 February 2020, are valid until 30 June 2025 and are accepted by Portuguese public authorities. In compliance with the obligations set out in the Migration Action Plan, we hereby inform you that AIMA has begun the process of family reunification application of foreign citizens with children and young people up to 18 years of age.
Portugal implemented new golden visa rules, closed all real estate routes from Oct 2023 to prevent housing crisis in Portugal. The last minute rush of applications caused further delays of more exceeding 2 years for new GV applicants.
Timeline
Here is the breakdown of GV processing timeline of what happens in stages…from filing to citizenship.
Stage 1
- Sign contract with the legal firm or agency.
- Prepare initial KYC documents
- Register NIF Tax number
- Open bank account in Portugal
Note: opening a bank account and necessary compliance checks to make the account active will consume 4-6 weeks.
Stage 2
- Transfer funds to bank account in Portugal.
- Prepare legalized document for execution of Public deed
- Translate important documents for SEF.
- Apply with SEF portal application online with fees. (All documents including criminal certificate, birth certificate, marriage certificate must be legalized at Portuguese embassy or must contain apostille.)
- AIMA takes 3-4 months to pre-approve the GV application
Stage 3
- Receive AIMA approval
- Schedule biometrics appointment. Appointment slots available after 6 months. During peak summer months from Jun/Jul, expect wait times 6-10 months.
Stage 4
Visit Portugal for biometrics for one day including with family members. if you are outside schengen, you should apply for visa at consulate to visit Portugal for biometrics. This mainly depends on Covid restrictions by country.
Stage 5
The biometrics approval takes atleast 8 months.to approve the Residence cards issued for Golden Visa program. This can be collected by the proxy and can be sent to you by mail.
Renewals
The Residence cards can be renewed in first, third or fifth year depending the GV investment. Investments excess of 500,000 euros will receive five year validity.
Stage 6
After 5 years of the issuance date of the first GV card, we are now able to request for citizenship or Permanent Residency (PR).
Portugal PR
To apply PR, you must not have criminal record, pass A2 language test, pay taxes and social security, and must have had temporary residency for 5 years. To keep your permanent residency alive, you must not be outside Portugal for more than six months.
Portugal Citizenship
Amendments to Portuguese nationality law, waiting times from the date of filing residence application counts towards citizenship after 5 years.
To apply for Portuguese citizenship, this is also EU citizenship
- To have been in Portugal during the required days of stay (7 days per year on average);
- Knowledge of Portuguese – A2;
- Not sentenced to 3 or more years in prison;
- Not a threat to National Security or Defense, or be part of terrorist activities.
We tell clients to patiently wait when applying for GV program, this could lead to delays of more than two years.
