In recent years, Portugal has seen an incredible growth in immigration, especially from America, the UK, Brazil and China. Due to the high volume of new Residency applications, the nation became overwhelmed to deal with the increasing number of applications. Thinking about how to solve the long lines, the Portuguese Government and the Ordem dos Advogados (Portuguese Lawyers Order) signed a groundbreaking agreement with the Agência para an Integração, Migrações e Asilo (AIMA) to address the backlog of 300,000 pending immigration requests. This significant collaboration aims to streamline and expedite the process of legalising the status of immigrants in Portugal.
Portuguese Lawyers and Aima Set Partnership to End Long Lines
The legal expertise of Portuguese lawyers is set to play a crucial role in providing a comprehensive and timely response to those seeking regularisation. The collaboration, signed last 5th of March 2024 through a public tender, involves offering legal knowledge to AIMA for processing various aspects of immigration, including the extension and renewal of stay, residence permits, and authorisation for investment activities. In return for their highly qualified and technically advanced services, AIMA will compensate the lawyers, establishing a framework for a mutually beneficial partnership.
This initiative will allow lawyers, trainee lawyers, and solicitors to apply for a professional grant, enabling them to respond promptly to AIMA's requests. The partnership is crucial for cases involving individuals who initially arrived with tourist visas and later began working in Portugal. AIMA reinforces that solving illegal immigration and dealing with the long waiting list is a quick response. With the initiative, the Portuguese Government takes a huge step to prevent individuals from waiting for years, uncertain about their status, and potentially facing rejection after already establishing roots in the country.
Another comparable action occurred this year when the Supreme Court in Portugal acknowledged the timing for applying for Portuguese Citizenship, recognising the waiting period as an integral part of the process. On Sunday, the 25th of February 2024, President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa sanctioned the amendments to the Nationality Law. This approval comes in the wake of the Constitutional Court's decision on February 20th, confirming that the amendments comply with the Portuguese Constitution. The President has indicated his intention to approve the law, and its official publication in the Gazette is imminent.
The Initiative Will Help to Combat Illegal Immigration and Social Vulnerability
The collaboration between Portuguese Lawyers and AIMA will not only address the legal aspects of immigration but also recognise the vulnerability of immigrants to international criminal organisations, scammers, and labour exploitation. By ensuring that services are provided by legitimate professionals associated with the Ordem dos Advogados, the agreement aims to reduce the risk of exploitation by unauthorised individuals. Signing this protocol embodies the Ordem dos Advogados' commitment to contributing to a more efficient and secure process for immigrants. The collaboration covers various aspects, including the instruction of processes for residence permits, renewals, voluntary or coercive removal, and training and knowledge exchange in migration-related areas.
The importance of this collaboration goes beyond legal proceedings; it is a step towards safeguarding the rights and well-being of immigrants in Portugal. AIMA intends to create a system that is not only faster and more transparent but also resistant to fraud. The partnership is expected to start in the following months and ensure that decisions are made in a timely and just manner.
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