Initial Processing Time
How long does Initial processing take? Real timelines from application to residence card, based on community reports.
Processing Time Summary
Median
60 days
Typical Range
30–165 days
Fastest
6 days
67 reports
67
By Processing Channel
In-Person
60 days
30–167 day range · 66 reports
Community Reports
Community Reports
Share your timelineShowing 172 records. Median: 60 days
| Type | Channel | Office | Days to Card | Confidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Initial | In-Person | — | — | Medium | Nomad Gate |
| Initial | In-Person | — | — | High | |
| Initial | In-Person | Cascais | — | High | Nomad Gate |
| Initial | In-Person | — | — | Medium | |
| Initial | In-Person | — | — | High | |
| Initial | In-Person | Faro | — | High | Nomad Gate |
| Initial | In-Person | — | — | Medium | Nomad Gate |
| Initial | In-Person | — | — | Medium | Nomad Gate |
| Initial | In-Person | — | — | Medium | Nomad Gate |
| Initial | In-Person | — | — | Medium | Nomad Gate |
| Initial | In-Person | Cascais | 15 days | High | User submitted |
| Initial | In-Person | Figueira da Foz | 51 days | High | User submitted |
| Initial | In-Person | Lisbon | — | High | Nomad Gate |
| Initial | In-Person | Cascais | — | High | Nomad Gate |
| Initial | In-Person | Cascais | — | Medium | Nomad Gate |
| Initial | In-Person | Porto | 59 days | High | |
| Initial | In-Person | — | — | High | Nomad Gate |
| Initial | In-Person | Lisbon | — | Medium | Nomad Gate |
| Initial | In-Person | — | — | Medium | Nomad Gate |
| Initial | In-Person | Cascais | — | Medium | Nomad Gate |
| Initial | In-Person | Cascais | — | Medium | Nomad Gate |
| Initial | — | — | Medium | ||
| Initial | In-Person | Lisbon | — | Medium | Nomad Gate |
| Initial | In-Person | — | — | Medium | Nomad Gate |
| Initial | In-Person | — | 104 days | Medium |
InitialHigh
In-PersonCascais
15 days
User submitted
InitialHigh
In-PersonFigueira da Foz
51 days
User submitted
InitialMedium
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does initial processing take?
Based on 67 community reports, the median processing time is 60 days. Most applicants wait between 30 and 165 days.
Is this data reliable?
Our data comes from real community reports posted on Reddit and submitted directly by users. Each report is assigned a confidence level (high, medium, or low) based on the specificity of dates provided. While not official AIMA data, it provides useful estimates based on actual experiences.
How can I speed up my application?
Based on community data, online portal submissions tend to be processed faster than in-person appointments. Ensure all documents are complete and correctly formatted to avoid delays. Check our comprehensive guide for more tips.
Other Processing Times
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