The Portuguese Golden Visa, introduced in October 2012, has become one of the most sought-after residency-by-investment programs globally. This program offers investors the opportunity to obtain Portuguese residency by making a qualifying investment.
To be eligible for the Portuguese Golden Visa, there are various investment options available, including investment funds, job creation, commercial investment, research funding, and cultural heritage support. As part of the application process, you will need to schedule a biometrics appointment for the Portugal Golden Visa.
In this article, we will provide a comprehensive overview of the Golden Visa process, with a specific focus on the biometrics appointment.
The Portugal Golden Visa Program
Since being introduced in 2012, Portugal’s Golden Visa scheme has grown rapidly. The Portuguese investment program has established itself as one of the most popular worldwide. The investment options are relatively affordable and quite diverse.
To qualify, you must make a minimum investment of €250,000 in the county. This can range from fund investment and capital transfer to investing in a Portuguese business, science and engineering research, or cultural heritage.
Fund investment proves popular, particularly with Americans. For this option, you will need to invest in a qualifying Portuguese investment fund. Indeed, the array of Golden Visa investment options is one of the main Portugal Golden Visa benefits.
The Portuguese Golden Visa cost will depend on which investment pathway you opt for, as the minimum investment amount varies depending on the chosen route. You can learn more about the different options and a step-by-step guide to the Portugal Golden Visa program in our article here: Portugal Golden Visa: Complete Step-by-Step Guide 2023.
Note that changes to the Portugal Golden Visa program came into play, and it is no longer possible to obtain the visa via the residential real estate investment pathway or the capital transfer route.
The Golden Visa Program Portugal has many advantages, including improved travel freedoms, greater financial security, tax benefits, and the ability to live in a European Union (EU) country with a high quality of life. What’s more, family members can be included in the Portugal Golden Visa application, meaning that you can safeguard your family’s future.
After five years, you can apply for permanent residency and Portuguese citizenship, provided you meet all the requirements under Portuguese nationality law, such as having a clean criminal record and passing a basic Portuguese language test. As a Portuguese citizen, you can enjoy a range of benefits, including increased travel freedoms and access to live, work, and study in the EU.
Golden Visa Portugal Requirements
To be eligible for the Portuguese Golden Visa program, you must fulfill the following:
- Be a non-EU, non-EEA, or non-Swiss national
- Minimum investment of €250,000
- Hold a clean criminal record
- Stay requirement: Spend a minimum of seven days in Portugal in the first year, then a minimum of 14 days for each subsequent two-year period.
The Portugal Golden Visa: Process
To begin with, we’ll provide you with a brief overview of the Portuguese Golden Visa process. These are the steps that you will have to complete before you can book your biometrics appointment.
- Onboarding: Firstly, you will need to decide on the Golden Visa investment option and collect the paperwork for yourself and any dependents that you want to include in the Portugal Golden Visa application. We can make sure that you have all the correct documents in place, and we can submit them for review on your behalf.
- Set up your Bank account and NIF: To obtain your personal tax identification number (NIF) in Portugal, we will appoint a fiscal representative to you. When you have secured your NIF, we can then help you to open a Portuguese bank account. This can be done remotely before you even come to Portugal.
- Make the investment: We begin securing your investment and can guide you through the paperwork that will be required to ensure a successful investment for the Golden Visa.
- Online Golden Visa application: You will then need to lodge your application online.
- Pre-approval: Your Portuguese Golden Visa application will be pre-approved on the basis that you fulfill all the requirements. After your Golden Visa approval, you can then schedule your biometrics appointment.
How to schedule a biometrics appointment for Portugal Golden Visa
You will need to attend the biometrics appointment for your Golden Visa application to be processed.
For the Golden Visa Portugal biometrics visit, you will need to book your appointment in advance with AIMA (former SEF – Foreigners and Borders Service). From the time you book your biometrics appointment, it normally takes around two months until you can attend the biometrics collection session in person.
Steps to complete biometrics for Portugal Golden Visa
On the day of your Golden Visa Portugal biometrics appointment, we recommend that you aim to arrive around 30 minutes before your scheduled time slot. You should be aware of the following:
- You must attend the appointment yourself and you cannot send someone in your stead
- Only Golden Visa applicants, their dependent parents and dependent children, and caregivers can attend the appointment
- Bring all the requested documents. We can help you ensure that you bring all the required documentation, including a printed copy of your application, a valid passport, and supporting documents (originals and copies).
At the Golden Visa Portugal biometrics appointment, you will provide your biometric data. You must submit a fingerprint, and a photograph will be taken. Your photograph must show your full face. This is referred to as biometric information collection.
Also, try not to miss your scheduled appointment, as it can take quite a bit of time to schedule a new one. Recently, there have been delays with AIMA and a particular backlog with Portugal Golden Visas.
After the Golden Visa Biometrics Appointment
After you have attended the biometrics appointment, it can take around four months for your Golden Visa to be approved by AIMA. You will need to pay the Portuguese government permit issue fee, and then we can collect the Golden Visa residence cards for you on your behalf and send them your way.
Once your Golden Visa is issued, you will have Golden Visa residency status, and your Golden Visa residence permit will be valid for two years.
Following this, you will need to renew your Golden Visa until you can apply for permanent residency or Portuguese citizenship, should you so desire. The renewal process for your residence permit is quite straightforward, although you will need to present your documents for each Golden Visa renewal. You will then get a new Golden Visa residence card.
A Portuguese passport is one of the most powerful in the world and can unlock visa-free travel to 172 countries. As a Portuguese citizen, you can also travel, live, and work in any EU or Schengen country without needing a Schengen Visa.
How can you score a biometrics appointment without delay?
As mentioned previously, it can take quite some time to schedule (or reschedule) a biometrics appointment with AIMA. While getting an appointment is largely outside of your control, there are some strategies that you can put in place to speed up the process.
- If you are working with a lawyer, they can book an appointment on your behalf. Be sure to ask about their strategy for getting their client’s appointments so that you’re aware of how long you can expect to wait. We highly recommend having a legal representative in your corner to ensure that everything runs smoothly.
- If you are traveling to Portugal for a few days or just a couple of weeks, let your lawyer know. Your lawyer can then be on the lookout for last-minute cancellations. As these are often just for the next day or two, you may be able to benefit from this if you are in the country.
- If you are lucky enough to find multiple appointments at different branches of AIMA, we recommend avoiding appointments in Lisbon. This is because the processing time for getting your residence card is noticeably longer, and it will take longer to obtain your residency permit.
AIMA Taken to Court to Speed Up the Process
As part of the Golden Visa process, applicants need to attend an appointment at AIMA to provide the required legal documents and for AIMA to collect their biometric data. Once AIMA analyzes the Golden Visa application and receives the go-ahead, the agency then indicates the dates available to schedule the appointment.
The legal provision (Article 105) states that AIMA has three months to inform the applicant of their decision and indicate the dates available for the applicant to make an appointment (this can be extended to a further 90 days in exceptional circumstances).
AIMA foresees a deadline of 10 to 60 days for the scheduling of the biometrics collection. However, it is unclear as to whether this refers to making the appointment or whether the appointment itself should occur within this time frame. This process of scheduling an appointment is taking much longer, up to 18 months, due to the pandemic, the war in Ukraine, and the high number of applications for the program.
Many investors have taken AIMA (and the former SEF) to court over the delays in obtaining a Golden Visa to speed up the process. It is this deadline provided in the law for appointments that the courts have made favorable decisions for foreign investors, thereby making the delays in the process illegal.
Why choose Global Citizen Solutions for your Portugal Golden Visa?
- Global approach by local experts: A team of experienced local case executives, immigration lawyers, and investment specialists based in Portugal.
- Independent service:We are not a marketing agency for any projects. You will access all eligible routes for the Golden Visa, with over 40 vetted qualifying investment options, so you can decide on the best option for you.
- 100% approval rate: We have the unique distinction of never having had a Golden Visa case rejected and have helped hundreds of clients from more than 35 countries.
- All-encompassing solution: Our dedicated onboarding and immigration teams will assist you throughout the process and beyond with a single channel of communication.
- Transparency: Our fees are clear and detailed, covering the entire process with no hidden costs.
- Privacy: Your personal data is stored within a GDPR-compliant database on a secure SSL-encrypted server.
To see the full list of reasons why to work with Global Citizen Solutions for your Portugal Golden Visa, you can find out more here: Why Work with Global Citizen Solutions for Your Golden Visa Portugal Application?
Frequently Asked Questions About the Golden Visa Biometrics Appointment
What is the biometrics appointment for Portugal?
The biometrics appointment for Portugal is a required step where you provide your fingerprints, photograph, and signature as part of your residency application process. This data is used to verify your identity and complete your application.
What to expect during the Portugal Golden Visa biometrics appointment?
During the Portugal Golden Visa biometrics appointment, your identity will be verified by checking your passport and other necessary documents. You’ll then provide your fingerprints, have your photograph taken, and sign electronically. The appointment usually lasts between 15 to 30 minutes.
How to schedule a Portugal Golden Visa biometrics appointment?
For the Golden Visa biometrics visit, you will need to book your appointment in advance with AIMA. From the time you book your appointment, it normally takes around two months for you to attend the biometrics collection session in person.
How long do biometrics appointments take?
Biometrics appointments typically take about 15 to 30 minutes. The actual time can vary depending on the location and the number of applicants, but the process itself is usually quick and straightforward.
