Portugal is attracting global talent with a more open and welcoming approach.
The Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum (AIMA) has officially established the nation's first on-campus service desk at the University of Coimbra, allowing international students and immigrant families to enjoy faster and more efficient visa and residency processing.
This official service, implemented directly within a higher education institution, marks a national-level effort by Portugal to strengthen the environment for the long-term development of international students, researchers, and investor families, further enhancing the overall value of Portuguese residency.
Pioneering Implementation at the University of Coimbra:
Residency Processing "Comes to Campus"
The service point established by AIMA at the University of Coimbra (Universidade de Coimbra) is the first of its kind to officially operate within a Portuguese university, providing direct services for:
• Student visa renewals
• Various types of residence permits
• Permanent residency applications
• Review of relevant documents and materials
This initiative is highly significant for international students (including Chinese students and members of Golden Visa investor families) living and studying in Portugal: there is no longer a need to queue at city offices, as the entire process from appointment to completion can be handled on campus, significantly reducing waiting times and increasing approval rates.
In addition to the University of Coimbra, AIMA is currently negotiating partnerships with several other higher education institutions. Future service coverage will expand to include international students, faculty and researchers, and new international students at other universities. The President of AIMA has clearly stated that special attention will be given to students from the Community of Portuguese Language Countries (CPLP) and the broader international student community. This signifies that Portugal is building a more open, streamlined, and institutionally friendly talent attraction system.
Immigration Benefits Emerge:
The Value of Portuguese Residency Increases Simultaneously
The introduction of AIMA on-campus service points directly strengthens Portugal's competitiveness as a destination for educational and investment immigration.
• Comprehensive improvement in processing efficiency: Visa renewals and residence permit exchanges no longer require long queues; on-campus processing is more efficient; as more universities join, service coverage will continue to expand; for investor families, the transition of children's residency status from primary school through university will be smoother and more stable.
• Significant advantages in educational resources: Portugal has long maintained one of the most cost-effective education systems in Europe. The public education system is free and high-quality; the international school system is well-developed; and prestigious European universities (such as the University of Coimbra and the University of Lisbon) consistently rank among the best in the world.
• Broad prospects for long-term residency and European development: Portuguese residency offers the opportunity to apply for permanent residency or an EU passport upon meeting the requirements; it allows for free movement within the Schengen Area; and it features friendly policies for accompanying family members, where one application benefits the entire family.
The Window of Opportunity for Portuguese Immigration: Opening Now
The establishment of AIMA on-campus service points means that the core value of Portuguese immigration has been further enhanced, providing substantial momentum for investment immigration, Golden Visa holders, and educational immigration families. Whether creating a European educational path for children or building a global residency layout for the family, Portugal is becoming an increasingly focused destination for high-net-worth families worldwide.
If you are interested in immigrating to Portugal, you can apply through the Portugal Fund Investment Immigration Program. Investors can invest from 500,000 Euros in funds to apply for Portuguese Golden Residence status for three generations of their family.
Additionally, you can also immigrate to Portugal through the Portugal Cultural and Artistic Donation Program. According to the legislation, applicants only need to invest 200,000 Euros to apply for Portuguese Golden Residence status for three generations of their family, providing a low-cost and convenient way to obtain an EU passport.
For more details on Portuguese immigration, please contact us in Mainland China at 400-138-2929, or our Hong Kong Customer Service Center at (852) 2802 8798.