Recently, Portugal issued a notice regarding new procedures for initial filings and renewals with the SEF (Portuguese Immigration and Borders Service). Previously, SEF initial filings could only be made via telephone, but this has now been completely replaced by a new method.
Information for Initial Filing Applicants
* Initial Filing: This refers to the opening of a file for investors submitting their Golden Residence Permit application for the first time and providing fingerprints for the first time.
【Step 1】
Register and open a file on the official SEF website (with the assistance of a lawyer).
Registration requirements: The lawyer must provide the necessary property documents and personal documents for the applicant (main applicant and family reunion members). This means all application documents for all applicants must be provided;
The filing fee must be paid in advance via bank transfer; Filing fee: Main applicant: 520.4 Euros; Dependent applicant: 81.1 Euros (Previously, the filing fee was paid in cash on the day of the fingerprinting appointment, but now it must be paid in advance via bank transfer);
After registration is complete, the SEF will begin processing.
【Step 2】
Receive an email from the SEF notifying the applicant that they can schedule an appointment for submission (it is currently impossible to confirm how long the SEF will take to process and send the email). The lawyer will schedule the document submission time based on the applicant's availability;
The SEF may open slots for January and subsequent months;
Newly opened SEF offices can also accept appointments for initial applications.
【Step 3】
At the scheduled time, go to the SEF office to submit the original copies of all application documents mentioned in the first step. The lawyer believes that the applicant can collect biometric information (i.e., provide fingerprints) at this time, but this has not yet been confirmed. This information is pending confirmation in the coming days.
Information for Renewal Filing Applicants
【Step 1】
Log in to the website used for the initial application; no documents need to be submitted at this time;
The filing fee must be paid in advance via bank transfer;
After completion, the SEF will begin processing.
【Step 2】
The lawyer will schedule the document submission time based on the applicant's availability (unlike the initial application, the lawyer can schedule according to the applicant's time without waiting for an email notification from the SEF);
The SEF may open slots for January and subsequent months;
Newly opened SEF offices can also accept appointments for renewal applications.
【Step 3】
At the scheduled time, go to the SEF office to submit the original copies of all application documents. The lawyer believes that the applicant can collect biometric information (i.e., provide fingerprints) at this time, but this has not yet been confirmed. This information is pending confirmation in the coming days.
In addition, regarding the payment of the card issuance fee after the applicant is approved (i.e., the Golden Residence Permit application fee), the SEF has also updated this to be paid via bank transfer. Please wait for official information for more detailed details.
Special Reminder: The immigration authority will only begin the review process if all documents are complete. There will no longer be a period for submitting missing documents or extending document deadlines. The following are the documents required when opening a file:
To make the appointment they require:
- Criminal record
- Passport
- Deed
- Sworn statement
- Certificate of land registry
- Declaration from the bank confirming the investment
- Birth certificate of the children
- Marriage certificate for the wife/husband
- Term of responsibility signed by the PA
- Payment of the analysis fees
Steps for how to make an appointment at the Portuguese Immigration Authority after materials are prepared:
Initial Submission:
Main Applicant:
1. Create a file on the immigration authority's online platform on behalf of the main applicant
2. Add documents (criminal record, passport, deed, land registry document, bank statements, and sworn statement)
3. Pay the filing fee
4. Wait for an email from the immigration authority confirming acceptance of the application or requesting missing documents
5. After receiving the above email, if everything goes well, the immigration authority can accept the main applicant's appointment request
6. The immigration authority will send an email confirming the appointment
Dependent Applicant:
1. Create a file on behalf of the dependent applicant
2. Add documents (marriage certificate, birth certificate, criminal record (for persons over 16), forms)
3. Submit the application (done after paying the main applicant's filing fee)
4. Pay the filing fee
5. Wait for an email from the immigration authority confirming acceptance of the application or requesting missing documents
6. Submit the appointment request (this date may be inconsistent with the main applicant's; I believe it is possible to schedule the same time for everyone so they can go to the immigration authority together)
7. The immigration authority will send an email confirming the appointment
The following is the link for the Portuguese Immigration Authority's filing requirements: https://ari.sef.pt/Info/Investidor.aspx
In response to the current situation of a huge volume of applications, the SEF authorities have carefully analyzed and taken important measures after the New Year to accelerate the review process and improve the approval speed. This policy is another change since 2017, and the process is becoming increasingly perfect and rigorous. Worldway provides timely and professional analysis for applicants. No matter how the policy changes, investors must always remember that they should invest in Portuguese projects as early as possible. For details, please call: 400-138-2929.
