AIMA Approved You but No Residence Card Yet? What Happens Next

You had your AIMA appointment, or AIMA told you your residence permit was approved, but the card still hasn’t arrived. This is one of the most common questions among immigrants right now. Here is what AIMA and the law say about the step between “approved” and “card in hand”.

What’s happening

First, check which stage you are at. An appointment (photo, fingerprints, documents) is not a decision. Under article 82(5) of the Foreigners Law, as changed by Law 62/2026, AIMA must decide a new residence-permit application within 90 days, extendable by 30 days in exceptional cases, and it must tell you about any extension.

Once approved, cards are sent by post (CTT). Earlier this year AIMA said it had started emailing people whose cards were returned undelivered, inviting them to collect them (AIMA note republished by the Ordem dos Advogados). In June it added Saturday collection days at some Lojas AIMA, for invited people only.

What it means

Returned cards: you can only collect at the Loja AIMA and on the day stated in the invitation email. Show the email, in person or through a lawyer with a specific power of attorney (procuração forense). If you can’t go, wait for a new invitation. AIMA’s fee table (from 1 March 2026) lists €29.90 per in-person card delivery.
Proof while you wait: if your application submitted to AIMA was approved, AIMA offers a comprovativo de deferimento (proof of approval), only online in your user area at services.aima.gov.pt. It has a QR code anyone can scan to check it. AIMA says it does not replace the card where the law requires the card.
Still waiting for a decision: keep your application receipt. AIMA’s FAQ says this receipt is not a travel document.
Renewals: under article 63(14) of Regulatory Decree 84/2007, your right of residence does not lapse until six months after the card’s expiry date (subject to articles 78 and 121-E of the Foreigners Law), as AIMA also said in October 2025. If you have applied, carry the expired card and the renewal receipt.

We found no official AIMA deadline for card delivery after approval, and no dedicated card-tracking tool on aima.gov.pt.

What to do

Check your email, including spam, for AIMA messages from aima.gov.pt.
Log in to the portal where your case is and download the proof of approval, if available.
Make sure AIMA has your current postal address: update it through AIMA’s contact form. If you renew on the Portal de Renovações, choose Portal de Renovações → Comunicar/retificar Morada; AIMA said in January 2026 that it updates these addresses within two working days. Other residence permit holders choose Alteração de dados (sem necessidade agendamento) → Comunicar/retificar Morada – Sem emissão de novo Cartão (no new card is issued). AIMA also asks residents to keep addresses up to date with Social Security and Finanças.
If your card seems lost, write to AIMA once through the contact form or geral@aima.gov.pt, with your full name, date of birth, nationality, process number, your card or residence permit number if you have one, and the approval date. Keep the reply.
Before travelling abroad without the card, get advice. Don’t assume the proof of approval or a receipt will be accepted at a border.

Key dates and contacts

AIMA’s contact form is offline from 21:00 on 2 October to 01:00 on 3 October 2026 (notice of 1 October on the AIMA home page).
AIMA contact centre (information only, not for booking appointments): (+351) 217 115 000. AIMA’s contacts page lists Monday–Friday 8:00–20:00, while its online contact form shows weekdays 9:00–18:00. Email: geral@aima.gov.pt.

Sources

This guide is general information, not legal advice. Last updated: 2 October 2026.

Featured image: Branded graphic: Link in Portugal (no third-party news photos)