[June 2025] Golden Visa Update

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We know how important this journey is to you and your family — and how the recent delays and uncertainties have created stress and confusion. That’s why we are committed to transparent, accurate, and timely communication.

The following update was received directly from the Coordinator of the Golden Visa Backlog Recovery Support Unit (UARI) and reflects the current status of the program as of June 2025.

First of all, some good news from The Golden Portugal!

A couple of clients who did their biometrics in June 2023 got their final approval today!  Many of the clients who applied for their Golden Visa have been receiving their first residence card/ final approval gradually in the first half of 2025.  

I know it seems to be a very long wait, but this process is due to speed up further in the 2nd half of 2025 (see point 3 & 6 below).

| The Golden Portugal

FULL JUNE 2025 GOLDEN VISA UPDATE

1.  New ARI (Golden Visa) Platform Launch – January 2026

A completely new ARI platform is under development and is scheduled to launch in January 2026.

This platform is intended to resolve many of the systemic issues applicants have faced, including:

• Biometric data integration

• Payment system failures

• Difficulties with family reunification submissions

The aim is to streamline the user experience, improve transparency, and increase application efficiency.

2.  Golden Visa Renewals – Portal Launch by End of June

Applicants holding a valid residence card will soon be able to renew through their lawyer.

A new renewal portal is expected to be live by the end of this month (June 2025).

If your biometric data was:

• Collected within the last 5 years, and

• Authorised for reuse… then you may not need to attend an in-person appointment (subject to AIMA for final decision for each case)

3.  Resubmissions for Applications Without Biometrics (Submitted Before 2025)

Only ~200 biometric appointments have been released so far for these pending pre-2025 cases.

The UARI team was temporarily reassigned earlier this year to assist with “Manifestações de Interesse” (applications from undocumented migrants), due to national security priorities.

This significantly reduced Golden Visa appointment capacity, but:

• UARI will resume full processing in July

• More appointments are expected to open from that time onward

Important Deadline: If you’ve been notified to resubmit, your deadline is June 25th, 2025.

4.  Criminal Records – No New Certificates Required (with Conditions)

Applicants will not be asked to provide new criminal record certificates, as long as:

• The certificate submitted was valid at the time of submission

• It was complete and properly legalized or apostilled

 Exceptions may apply in these cases:

• If the applicant holds another nationality or residence permit in a third country

• If there are security flags in the applicant’s background check

In these cases, AIMA may request additional documentation after case-by-case analysis.

5.  Cases Still in ‘Acceptance’ or ‘Analysis’ (Pre-2025)

Some cases that were submitted before 2025 but not opened for resubmission may go directly to appointment scheduling.

These are generally long-standing applications, and AIMA is expected to address them progressively over the coming months.

 No action is needed on your part for now; check with your lawyer on your specific case. 

6.  Government Priorities for the Second Half of 2025

The new Portuguese Government has publicly declared that it will treat Golden Visa and Family Reunification applications as top immigration priorities during the second half of 2025.

This renewed focus may lead to faster processing times and improved appointment availability.

7.  New 2025 Applications – Technical Issues Persist

Applications submitted in 2025 continue to face platform problems, particularly with:

• Payment validation, which in some cases blocks submission of family members

To resolve this, AIMA is:

• Manually validating payments and documents

• Giving priority to Main Applicants

8.  Future System Reforms – AI and Automation in Progress

AIMA and UARI are implementing a suite of modernization and automation reforms, including:

• Enhanced tracking of application stages

• Integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) for faster and more reliable handling

The Government intends for AIMA to become a flagship institution within Portugal’s public administration system.

UARI has reassured stakeholders that it is working intensively behind the scenes and remains optimistic about meaningful progress in the coming months.

Tax Reminder: Filing Deadline – June 30, 2025

If any of the following applies to your situation:

• You earned income in Portugal in 2024

➡️ Then you must submit your annual personal income tax return to the Portuguese Tax Authority by June 30, 2025.

Need help? Our team is happy to provide guidance or connect you with a certified tax professional.

Final Thoughts

We want to assure you that despite the recent system delays and structural transitions, your application is being monitored and managed with care. Our team is doing everything possible to move your case forward and respond to your needs.We deeply appreciate your continued collaboration, patience, and understanding. While some challenges are out of our control, we remain optimistic that response times and resolution rates will improve dramatically in the second half of the year.If you have any questions or require additional support, please do not hesitate to contact us. We are here for you.
Contact us today, and let us help you plan your future in Portugal!

We have helped more than 500 families on their Portugal Golden Visa journey. 

We are also the pioneer firm to help clients to invest through funds back from 2020 until now. Come talk with us.

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