Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, a simplified residence permit renewal procedure comes into force for a year in order to help deal with the pending applications at the the Aliens and Borders Office (SEF). This was established with special Order no. 5793-A/2020 of 26 May 2020.

The main change in the procedures is the possibility of handing in and receiving the documents without going in person to a SEF office. Due to the ongoing pandemic, foreign citizens can send their documents through postal service or submit them via SEF’s online portal. Applicants receive SEF’ reply at their fiscal address after paying the corresponding fees. Minors are exempt from fees.

When applying for a residence permit with a visa waiver as an employed professional or an independent professional/entrepreneur, SEF accepts the documents provided with the letter of interest on the SEF’s portal, as long as the documents are within the valid date.

In addition, third-country citizens and asylum seekers with pending residence applications submitted up until 18 March 2020 are able to keep all the rights. This was established with Order no. 3863-B/2020 of 27 March and means that applicants retain their right to access to health care, employment, social support benefits and housing while SEF reviews the documents handed in.

For further information:

• High Commission for Migration (ACM): www.acm.gov.pt informacoes@acm.gov.pt
• LAM (Support Line for Migrants): 808 257 257 (landline) or 21 810 61 91 (for mobile network), Monday to Friday, 9:00 – 19:00
• National Support Centre for Migrant Integration CNAIM of Lisbon: cnaim.lisboa@acm.gov.pt
• National Support Centre for Migrant Integration CNAIM of the North (Porto): cnaim.norte@acm.gov.pt
• National Support Centre for Migrant Integration CNAIM of Algarve (Faro): cnaim.algarve@acm.gov.pt