AIMA (Agência para a Integração, Migrações e Asilo) letter explained in English

Immigration agency. The immigration agency (it replaced SEF in 2023). It decides on residence permits and their renewal.

Letters you may get

• Agendamento — an appointment to give your documents and biometrics
• Decisão — your residence permit was granted or refused
• Notificação para abandono voluntário — you must leave Portugal by a set date

What to do

• Keep proof of every application and appointment. Many people wait a long time — your documents may stay valid while you wait.
• If you get a refusal, contact a lawyer or a migrant support centre (CLAIM) quickly — deadlines are short.
• Find the deadline. Look for “prazo”, “até”, “data limite”.
• Write the reference number from the letter on everything you send back, and keep copies.
• If you disagree with a decision, object in writing before the deadline (“reclamação graciosa”, “audiência prévia”, “defesa”, “oposição”, “impugnação”, “recurso”, “reclamação”). See the template.

Words you may see

notificação

An official letter that tells you about a decision or a step in a process.

Questions

What is the AIMA (Agência para a Integração, Migrações e Asilo)?

Immigration agency. The immigration agency (it replaced SEF in 2023). It decides on residence permits and their renewal.

How long do I have to answer a letter from the AIMA (Agência para a Integração, Migrações e Asilo)?

It depends on the letter. Look for words like “prazo”, “até”, “data limite” — they mark the deadline. In Portugal, a letter sent by registered post is usually treated as received on the third day after it was posted. Check if the deadline is in working days (dias úteis) or in calendar days. To object, the letter usually names the way to do it (“reclamação graciosa”, “audiência prévia”, “defesa”, “oposição”, “impugnação”, “recurso”, “reclamação”).

Can I read a AIMA (Agência para a Integração, Migrações e Asilo) letter in English?

Yes. Take a photo of the letter with Briefly. It explains the letter in plain English, finds the deadline and the amount, and gives you ready-made replies in Portuguese. Your letter never leaves your device.

Other offices in Portugal

Finanças / Autoridade Tributária e Aduaneira (AT) · Segurança Social · IEFP (Instituto do Emprego e Formação Profissional) · Câmara Municipal / Junta de Freguesia · Tribunal · Agente de execução · ANSR / PSP / GNR · Portagens (Via Verde / Infraestruturas de Portugal)