Initial Processing Time
How long does Initial processing take? Real timelines from application to residence card, based on community reports.
Processing Time Summary
Median
46 days
Typical Range
15–107 days
Fastest
6 days
156 reports
156
Duration measures from appointment or approval to card received. The typical range is the 25th–75th percentile (middle 50% of reports).
By Processing Channel
In-Person
47 days
15–107 day range · 153 reports
Community Reports
Community Reports
+ Share your timelineShowing 308 records. Median: 46 days
| Type | Channel | Office | Days to Card | Confidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Initial | In-Person | 170 days | Medium | Xiaohongshu ↗ | |
| Initial | In-Person | — | 61 days | Medium | Xiaohongshu ↗ |
| Initial | In-Person | — | Medium | Nomad Gate ↗ | |
| Initial | In-Person | 90 days | Medium | Xiaohongshu ↗ | |
| Initial | — | — | Medium | Nomad Gate ↗ | |
| Initial | In-Person | 17 days | High | Reddit ↗ | |
| Initial | In-Person | — | 90 days | Medium | Reddit ↗ |
| Initial | — | — | Medium | Nomad Gate ↗ | |
| Initial | In-Person | — | Low | Xiaohongshu ↗ | |
| Initial | In-Person | — | — | Medium | Nomad Gate ↗ |
| Initial | In-Person | — | — | Medium | Reddit ↗ |
| Initial | In-Person | — | 14 days | Low | Reddit ↗ |
| Initial | In-Person | Lisboa / Alverca | — | Medium | Reddit ↗ |
| Initial | In-Person | — | — | Low | Reddit ↗ |
| Initial | In-Person | — | — | Medium | Nomad Gate ↗ |
| Initial | In-Person | 457 days | Medium | Reddit ↗ | |
| Initial | — | — | High | Nomad Gate ↗ | |
| Initial | In-Person | — | — | Medium | Reddit ↗ |
| Initial | In-Person | 37 days | High | Nomad Gate ↗ | |
| Initial | In-Person | — | 45 days | Medium | Nomad Gate ↗ |
| Initial | In-Person | — | — | High | Nomad Gate ↗ |
| Initial | In-Person | 79 days | Medium | Xiaohongshu ↗ | |
| Initial | In-Person | 79 days | Medium | Xiaohongshu ↗ | |
| Initial | In-Person | 13 days | High | Xiaohongshu ↗ | |
| Initial | In-Person | Lisboa | 213 days | High | Nomad Gate ↗ |
Initial · In-Person170d
Initial · In-Person61d
Initial · In-Person
Initial · In-Person90d
Initial
Initial · In-Person17d
Initial · In-Person90d
Initial
Initial · In-Person
Initial · In-Person
Initial · In-Person
Initial · In-Person14d
Initial · In-Person
Lisboa / AlvercaReddit ↗
Initial · In-Person
Initial · In-Person
Initial · In-Person457d
Initial
Initial · In-Person
Initial · In-Person37d
Initial · In-Person45d
Initial · In-Person
Initial · In-Person79d
Initial · In-Person79d
Initial · In-Person13d
Initial · In-Person213d
LisboaNomad Gate ↗
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does initial processing take?
Based on 156 community reports, the median processing time is 46 days. Most applicants wait between 15 and 107 days.
Is this data reliable?
Our data comes from real community reports shared across online forums 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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