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FlashPortugalOctober 13, 2026

Portugal Golden Visa: AIMA Processes 6,000 of 46,000 Applications, Backlog Remains Substantial

PublishedEditorial policy

Portugal's AIMA agency has processed 6,000 out of 46,000 pending Golden Visa applications. While 30,000 biometric appointments are planned by October 2026, Minister António Leitão Amaro notes that improved scheduling doesn't equate to faster final decisions, which can take months after biometrics.

Portugal Golden VisaAIMAResidency by InvestmentProcessing TimesBacklog

Key takeaways

  • Only 6,000 out of 46,000 Golden Visa applications have been processed by AIMA, representing about 13% of the backlog.
  • While 30,000 biometric appointments are scheduled by October 2026, this does not guarantee a rapid resolution of the overall backlog.
  • A biometric appointment is an intermediate step; final decisions can still take many months after data collection.
  • Applicants should anticipate a total processing time of 18-24 months for the Portugal Golden Visa, including the wait for a final decision after biometrics.

Portugal Golden Visa Processing Update: AIMA's Current Backlog

The Portuguese Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum (AIMA) has processed 6,000 out of 46,000 pending Golden Visa applications. Despite this progress, the substantial backlog indicates that the queue for final decisions is not diminishing quickly.

By October 2026, AIMA has scheduled 30,000 biometric appointments. While this represents an improvement in the planning of initial stages, Minister António Leitão Amaro has clarified that enhanced scheduling for appointments does not directly translate to an acceleration in final decision-making.

Applicants should understand that a biometric appointment marks a mid-point in the Golden Visa process, not the conclusion. Following the collection of biometric data, there is often a significant waiting period, potentially stretching for many months, before AIMA issues a final approval or denial. This gap between biometrics and the ultimate decision remains a primary challenge for applicants.

For those currently applying or already in the queue for the Portugal Golden Visa, it is advisable to anticipate a total processing time of at least 18 to 24 months for the entire application, including the wait for a decision after biometric data has been submitted.

Sources

Based on Emigro corridor reporting. Primary links below.

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