How Long Does AIMA Take? A Data-Driven Guide
If you're waiting for your AIMA residence card in Portugal, you're not alone. We analyzed 1949 community reports to give you realistic expectations for processing times in 2026.
The Short Answer
Across all visa types and channels, the median AIMA processing time is 60 days. Most people receive their card within 19 to 150 days. But the real answer depends on your visa type and how you apply.
Processing Times by Visa Type
Processing times vary dramatically by visa category. Here's what the data shows:
| Visa Type | Median | Range | Reports |
|---|---|---|---|
| Passive Income | 20 days | 13–71 day range | 38 |
| Student | 21 days | 14–95 day range | 27 |
| Family Reunification | 28 days | 14–60 day range | 36 |
| EU Citizen | 34 days | 16–75 day range | 8 |
| Employment | 50 days | 25–88 day range | 18 |
| Highly Qualified | ~2 months | 48–76 day range | 4 |
| Digital Nomad | ~3 months | 38–101 day range | 23 |
| Golden Visa | ~6 months | 76–250 day range | 57 |
Online Portal vs In-Person: Which Is Faster?
Since July 2025, AIMA has offered an online portal for certain application types. Our data shows a clear difference:
Online Portal
19 days
12–58 day range · 58 reports
In-Person (AIMA)
~2 months
20–150 day range · 317 reports
The online portal is significantly faster for renewals. If your application type is eligible for the portal, we strongly recommend using it.
Initial Application vs Renewal
Post-July 2025: The New Era
AIMA underwent significant reforms in mid-2025, including the introduction of the online portal. For applications processed after July 2025, the median processing time is 41 days based on 175 reports. This is particularly relevant if you're applying now.
Tips to Speed Up Your Application
1. Use the online portal when possible
Portal submissions are processed significantly faster than in-person appointments for eligible application types.
2. Prepare complete documentation
Incomplete applications cause delays. Double-check all requirements before submitting. The AIMA website lists required documents for each visa type.
3. Apply during off-peak periods
Based on our data, applications submitted in autumn and winter months tend to see slightly faster processing than those submitted in spring and summer.
4. Track your application
Use the AIMA portal to check your application status. If it's been significantly longer than the typical range for your visa type, consider following up.
Our Methodology
AIMATracker collects processing timelines from multiple online communities and direct user submissions. Each report is assigned a confidence level based on the specificity of dates provided.
Our statistics use the median (not the average) to reduce the impact of outliers. The “typical range” represents the 25th to 75th percentile, meaning half of all applicants fall within this range. Currently tracking 1949 reports.
Help us improve these estimates
Been through the AIMA process? Share your timeline to help the next person. Or explore our detailed data by visa type.