Portugal has made significant changes in its approach to immigration services by dissolving the Serviço de Estrangeiros e Fronteiras (SEF), the agency responsible for managing foreign documents. It has replaced SEF with the Agency for Integration, Migration, and Asylum (AIMA).
The transition was set in motion on October 29, 2023. The abolishment of SEF and creation of a new agency is designed to streamline immigration services and address longstanding backlogs of outstanding cases for various processes, including Portugal Golden Visa cases, family reunification matters, and Portuguese citizenship applications.
In this article, we’ll explore the implications of this change, including the role of AIMA Portugal, how to apply for residence permits or passport renewals, and the fate of SEF facilities.
From SEF to AIMA: All You Need to Know
Is SEF really extinct?
Yes, the end of the Foreigners and Borders Service (SEF) was approved by the Assembly of the Republic on October 22, 2021. Following that ruling, the Foreigners and Borders Service (SEF) was abolished on October 29, 2023. The dissolution of SEF marked a significant change in Portugal’s immigration landscape. Established in 2007, SEF was responsible for handling foreign nationals’ administrative procedures, including document issuance, residence permits, family reunification matters, and visa extensions. The decision to extinguish SEF is part of the government’s broader efforts to enhance its immigration system and boost the efficiency of its immigration services.
What will replace SEF?
The powers of SEF have been transferred to seven bodies: the Public Security Police (PSP), the Republican National Guard (GNR), and the Judiciary Police (PJ). Institute of Registration and Notary (IRN) and the Integration, Migration and Asylum applications (Agência para a Integração, Migrações e Asilo.
This is part of the PS government’s plan of dividing police tasks and responsibilities for approving immigrant documents to make procedures more efficient.
What is AIMA?
Taking SEF’s place is AIMA, the Agency for Integration, Migration, and Asylum (Agência para a Integração, Migrações e Asilo). With a budget of €81 million, 740 employees, and 34 service centers, AIMA had ambitious plans to address the backlog of approximately 347,000 pending immigration cases and visa renewals in the first quarter of 2024. In January 2024, AIMA revised the timeline. Following this revision, AIMA plans to clear the backlog of pending cases in the coming year, and it has set a target of doing so by mid-2025.
This transition is designed to create a more streamlined and efficient immigration system for both residents and foreign nationals seeking immigration services, including Portugal Golden Visa applicants.
AIMA is tasked with managing all matters concerning foreign documents, residence permits, and visa renewals in Portugal. The agency’s core mission is to facilitate integration, migration, and asylum processes in the country. AIMA plans to establish a mega-operation to resolve pending cases promptly and enhance security associated with document issuance.
A permanent audit team will also be in place to ensure internal procedures are conducted with the highest standards and to combat and prevent fraud.
How to apply for residence permits and passport renewals now
Foreign nationals residing in Portugal who need to apply for new residence permits or must go to AIMA. This is the agency responsible for administrative functions related to foreign citizens in Portugal, namely residence permits and matters related to refugees.
The issuance of the Portuguese electronic passport (the regular passport, the special passport, the temporary passport, and the passport for foreign citizens) will be done by the Instituto de Registo e Notariado (IRN).
The IRN will also be responsible for the renewal of residence permits, both temporary and permanent, with 75 non-police workers from SEF moving to the IRN to support this target. Resident permit cases for victims of human trafficking and for investment purposes will be handled by AIMA.
Where do foreigners who want to apply for new residence permits have to go?
Foreigners seeking to apply for new residence permits or engage in immigration-related administrative procedures should now direct their inquiries and applications to AIMA. As the new agency takes over the responsibilities previously held by SEF, it will serve as the primary point of contact for foreign nationals in Portugal.
The Government formally announced that AIMA will make a strong investment in digital infrastructure and the hiring of an additional 190 employees. In addition to the current 34 service counters, at least ten new branches will open within a year.
Specifically, these are the main measures announced by the Socialist Executive:
- AIMA Portal was launched in late 2023. It has begun with requests for family reunification.
- A mega operation to recover the 347,000 pending cases. This operation is being worked on with the involvement of local authorities, professional orders, and employees of the Local Support Centers for the Integration of Migrants.
The agency’s headquarters will be located on Avenida António Augusto de Aguiar in Lisbon, a nine-story building that ensures both efficient operation and proximity to migrants, as it is centrally located in Lisbon. In addition to the 34 service centers it already has, AIMA intends to open 10 more by the end of 2024.
How to get an AIMA Portugal appointment
To get an AIMA appointment, you should visit the AIMA portal. Alternatively, you can call +351 217 115 000 or +351 965 903 700. Both of these numbers are contactable from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Lisbon time.
What will the GNR do?
The Republican National Guard will oversee monitoring, inspecting, and controlling maritime and land borders, including cruise terminals. The GNR Coastal Control Unit will be renamed the GNR Coastal and Border Control Unit.
What will the Public Security Police (PSP) do?
The Public Security Police (PSP) monitors, inspects and controls airport borders and manages temporary facilities at airports. Within PSP, the Organic Airport Security and Border Control Unit was created. This unit oversees overseeing people entering and leaving the country by air and ensuring airport security.
What tasks are transferred to the Judiciary Police (PJ)?
The Polícia Judiciária (PJ) is responsible for investigating illegal immigration and human trafficking. Portugal has been in the process of a major crackdown on illegal immigration in recent years. Authorities from other countries are now working with the PJ to tackle problems related to illegal immigration.
What will the Borders and Foreigners Coordination Unit do?
Also known as “mini-SEF,” the Borders and Foreigners Coordination Unit will operate under the leadership of the secretary general of the Internal Security System, Paulo Vizeu Pinheiro.
This unit will be responsible for coordinating actions between different police forces and the IRN and AIMA, ensuring cooperation and coordination regarding people’s movement, return, and border control.
Borders and Foreigners Coordination Unit will also manage police databases and information systems in matters of borders and foreign and international police cooperation.
What will happen to the SEF facilities?
With SEF no longer operational, the facilities once dedicated to this agency will undergo transformation, with the offices across the country being transferred to the new responsible services.
However, the specific details regarding the future of the SEF headquarters in Porto Salvo (Oeiras municipality, Lisbon district) have not been disclosed, but it is likely that they will be repurposed or integrated into other government operations.
Portugal Immigration Services: A helpful guide to relocation
Implications of AIMA replacing SEF
Portugal’s dissolution of SEF and the introduction of AIMA represent a substantial shift in the country’s approach to immigration services. AIMA’s ambitious plans and focus on streamlining processes are aimed at improving the efficiency and effectiveness of immigration services for both residents and foreign nationals.
However, during this transitional period, some delays may be expected, so applicants should be prepared for potential adjustments as AIMA takes on its new responsibilities.
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Frequently Asked Questions about AIMA taking over SEF
Is SEF Portugal disbanded?
Yes, Portugal dissolved the Foreigners and Borders Service (SEF) in October 2023. The powers of the SEF security service will be transferred to seven bodies. The newly created Agency for Integration, Migration, and Asylum (AIMA) will handle all matters concerning foreign documents and administrative functions related to migrants and asylum. The change aims to streamline immigration services and address longstanding backlogs.
Who will replace SEF?
The government of Portugal will replace SEF with the Agency for Integration, Migration, and Asylum (AIMA). AIMA will handle immigration services, focusing on administrative tasks concerning foreign citizens in Portugal, including residence permits, refugee matters, and Portuguese citizenship applications.
What is AIMA in Portugal?
The Agency for Integration, Migrations and Asylum (AIMA) was created to replace SEF and the High Commission for Migrations, which was also abolished.
AIMA is responsible for administrative tasks related to foreign citizens in Portugal, namely residence permits and refugee matters.
What is the difference between AIMA and SEF?
The key difference between AIMA and SEF lies in their scope. SEF was both an immigration administration agency and the borders service. AIMA focuses solely on the administrative side, issuing documents and promoting immigrant integration, while border control duties shifted to police forces.
Is AIMA working in Portugal?
Yes, AIMA began operating in Portugal on October 30, 2023. The agency was created in order to create a more integrated immigration system with greater efficiency.
Will AIMA make Portugal's immigration system more efficient?
AIMA has the potential to make Portugal’s immigration system more efficient. Unlike SEF, it doesn’t have to deal with border control duties as well as immigration issues. Additionally, AIMA has invested heavily in human resources and digital infrastructure. Ultimately, this could help the new agency process applications quicker and make immigration services more efficient in the medium to long term.
