Is the AIMA Really as Problematic as It Seems?

The name AIMA has become a constant presence in immigrant groups, forums, and social media. Most posts highlight delays, appointment difficulties, or negative experiences.

But does this perception represent the whole reality?

After a decade of working with immigration matters in Portugal, my perception is different. The challenges exist. It would be dishonest to deny that. But it is also true that Portugal continues to offer one of the most accessible immigration systems in Europe.

The Mistake of Looking Only at the Problem

When an immigration process runs smoothly, people rarely share their experience in the same way they do when there is a delay. In those situations, the experience tends to be shared in groups, forums, and social media.

This creates a well-known phenomenon: public perception ends up being built mainly on problematic cases.

However, the daily reality is much broader.

Thousands of people continue to obtain visas, residence permits, family reunification approvals, and residence renewals every year.

Is the System Perfect?

No. But it is not standing still either.

The creation of AIMA and the investments in digitalization demonstrate that there is a genuine effort to modernize Portugal’s immigration system, which continues to make progress while facing the constant growth in the number of immigrants arriving in the country.

It is undoubtedly a challenge. However, when analyzing the last decade, it is possible to observe investment and a willingness to deal with everyday demands through the modernization of the system’s structure and the creation of new tools designed to improve services and reduce pressure on public immigration services.