From SEF to AIMA: Reshaping Portugal's Immigration Landscape

Portugal welcomes a new era in its immigration and asylum services with the inauguration of the Agência para a Integra??o, Migra??es e Asilo (AIMA). AIMA has been established to redefine and enhance the country's approach to accommodating, integrating, and granting asylum to migrants and refugees. Operating with an impressive budget of 81 million euros, primarily funded through its own resources and European funds, AIMA is poised to reshape the landscape of immigration services in Portugal.

1. Extending Reach with a Comprehensive Network of Service Points AIMA commences its operations with a network of 34 service points strategically spread across Portugal. The agency is dedicated to establishing a further ten service points within the coming year. This expansion is a crucial step toward providing immigrants and refugees with easier access to essential support and resources.
2. Tackling Pending Cases: A Considerable Challenge One of the primary challenges AIMA faces is addressing the backlog of 347,000 pending cases. These cases encompass a wide range of issues, with a significant emphasis on family reunification cases. AIMA has planned an intricate operation, set for the first quarter of the next year, to expedite the resolution of these pending cases.
3. Investment in Digital Infrastructure and a Strengthened Workforce AIMA is determined to invest significantly in both digital infrastructure and human resources. This investment includes the recruitment of an additional 190 employees. These efforts are aimed at elevating the quality and efficiency of services provided to immigrants and refugees.

Immediate and Long-Term Goals

AIMA has outlined a set of immediate and long-term goals, underlining its commitment to improving immigration services in Portugal:

Immediate Goals (By the End of 2023):

• AIMA Portal Launch: AIMA's portal is slated for a year-end launch, offering a streamlined application process for family reunification for long-term residents, eliminating the need for phone appointments.

Early 2024 Initiatives:

• Mega Operation to Clear 347,000 Pending Cases: This ambitious operation, involving municipalities, professional orders, and Local Support Centers for Migrants, will comprehensively address the backlog of pending cases.
• Strategic Plan for Promoting the Portuguese Language Among Migrants: AIMA recognizes the importance of language proficiency and is launching a strategic plan to promote the Portuguese language among migrants.

Later in 2024:

• AIMA Portal Open for Residence Authorization Applications: This development will simplify the process for migrants applying for residence authorization.
• Establishment of 10 New Service Points: AIMA's expansion continues, aiming to bring services closer to communities.
• High-Quality Telephone Support Center: Recognizing the diverse needs of migrants, AIMA plans to provide enhanced support.
• National Multidisciplinary Center for Protection and Integration: This center is designed to manage international protection processes and support refugees and asylum seekers from their initial application to full integration.

Immediate Challenges

AIMA's path is not without its challenges. The substantial backlog and growing demands for residence authorizations pose formidable obstacles. Nevertheless, AIMA is unwavering in its commitment to surmount these challenges through digitalization, resource augmentation, and innovative service delivery strategies.

As the Agência para a Integra??o, Migra??es e Asilo (AIMA) takes the helm of Portugal's immigration services, it faces the daunting task of addressing a backlog of 327,000 residence authorization applications. This responsibility shift from the Servi?o de Estrangeiros e Fronteiras (SEF) to AIMA, which formally begun its work on October 29, represents a significant challenge. This backlog figure was reported by the Ministry of Internal Administration (MAI) as of October 20, just one week before SEF's dissolution.

In stark contrast to the backlog, in 2022, Portugal saw a record-high of 143,081 residence authorizations granted, marking a consistent upward trend since at least 2014 when only 35,000 were issued. The exception was 2020, a pandemic-affected year that witnessed a slight decrease from 129,000 to 118,000.

Mega Operation to Clear Pending Cases

To tackle this colossal backlog, the Minister of Internal Administration, Ana Catarina Mendon?a Mendes, has announced the launch of a "mega operation" to resolve the pending cases by the end of March. This operation will address the backlog of 347,000 pending legalization requests and anticipates 199,000 renewals of one-year temporary visas for migrants from CPLP (Community of Portuguese Language Countries) and an additional 53,000 temporary visas issued to citizens.

Minister Ana Catarina Mendes explains that AIMA will collaborate with its employees, including the national network of the High Commissioner for Migration (ACM), now integrated into the new agency, as well as local authorities. Protocols have been established with municipalities, and a special weekend service has been set up, drawing inspiration from the organizational model used during the COVID-19 vaccination campaign.

Prioritizing Family Reunification and Integration

According to the Minister, the priority until the end of 2023 is family reunification for migrants. The goal is to avoid situations where some family members are legalized while others are not, particularly children. To achieve this, the mega operation will initially focus on addressing older pending cases.

As the government official responsible for migration and asylum matters, Ana Catarina Mendes is fully committed to ushering in a new era in Portugal's approach to migrants and refugees. AIMA, taking over the non-police aspects of SEF's responsibilities, seeks to make services more humane and respectful of human dignity in an increasingly securitized European environment.

Modernization and Expansion

Minister Ana Catarina Mendes emphasizes the need for more digitization, additional resources, and increased security. AIMA will invest in improving in-person services while advancing digitalization. A new AIMA portal launches this Monday, offering migrants an efficient platform for application processes.

By enhancing the digital infrastructure, AIMA aspires to make processes predominantly digital rather than in-person or via phone. The minister acknowledges that the current information system is outdated, not updated since 2007.

Increased Resources and Accessibility

In terms of human resources, AIMA begins with over 740 employees nationwide, integrating personnel from SEF and ACM. An additional 190 employees will be hired, including technical and IT professionals. This is aimed at improving and accelerating services, as the minister recognizes the extraordinary dedication of existing employees but acknowledges the need for additional personnel.

Moreover, AIMA plans to open ten new service points in 2024, augmenting the current 34 SEF counters that will open as AIMA counters on Monday. Some of these will be designated as AIMA Spot counters, equipped with digital capabilities.

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.

Enhanced Support and Integration

Additionally, AIMA will establish a telephone support center akin to SNS24 (the national health service helpline) to provide guidance and assistance to migrants. The agency will also collaborate with professional bar associations and solicitor orders to offer legal support to migrants.

In terms of language learning, a Strategic Plan for Portuguese Language Learning will be launched by the end of March. The next step will focus on integrating migrants into the labor market, with a reception and training center slated for Santarém by the end of the year. This center will offer temporary accommodation for those without housing, teaching the Portuguese language, and providing professional training through partnerships with the Professional Training Institute and private companies.

Furthermore, AIMA will establish a National Multidisciplinary Center to handle international protection processes and provide support for refugees and asylum seekers from the moment they apply for protection or arrive in Portugal. This approach aims to provide comprehensive support to the most vulnerable individuals.

Conclusion

With AIMA's launch, Portugal is taking significant strides toward enhancing its immigration and asylum services. By addressing the backlog, modernizing operations, expanding resources, and prioritizing family reunification and integration, AIMA is poised to usher in a more humane and efficient approach to welcoming migrants and refugees. Challenges may persist, but the agency's vision for a more inclusive and respectful approach to migration aligns with Portugal's historic legacy of hospitality and compassion.

Eres Relocation Portugal

We are committed to keeping you informed about all pertinent information regarding Portugal's immigration and residency services. Drawing upon our expertise in relocation and immigration matters, Eres Relocation Portugal will ensure that individuals and businesses are well-prepared and well-informed throughout this transitional period from SEF to AIMA. Be assured that we will continue to share our invaluable insights and provide you with regular updates as this transformative process progresses. To stay up-to-date with the latest news and insights from us, be sure to follow our official website and social media pages. Your journey through Portugal's immigration landscape is our priority, and we are here to assist you every step of the way.