𝐀𝐈𝐌𝐀 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐒𝐄𝐅

The SEF ended, and it was replaced by the Agency for Integration, Migrations, and Asylum (AIMA). This new agency has taken over the administrative functions of issuing documents for foreigners in Portugal.

The powers of the Foreigners and Borders Service (SEF) are divided among seven entities. Police officers previously with SEF will now work for the PSP, GNR, and PJ. The administrative tasks concerning foreign citizens will be handled by the new agency and the Institute of Registration and Notary Office (IRN). Additionally, a Borders and Foreigners Coordination Unit will be established, operating under the authority of the Secretary General of the Internal Security System.

Here are some questions and answers about this transition:

𝐖𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐝𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐦𝐚𝐝𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐜𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐞 𝐒𝐄𝐅?

The Assembly of the Republic approved the decision to end SEF on October 22, 2021. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the closure was postponed until May 2022 after the PS presented a bill.

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐒𝐄𝐅 𝐞𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐨𝐲𝐞𝐞𝐬?

Non-police SEF employees will transition to the Agency for Integration, Migration, Asylum and the Institute of Registration and Notary. Inspectors will be transferred to the Judiciary Police, with some temporarily going to the PSP and GNR. Some inspectors may also move to the Tax Authority and the Borders and Foreigners Coordination Unit.

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐏𝐒𝐏 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐆𝐍𝐑 𝐝𝐨?

The Public Security Police (PSP) will oversee airport border control and security. PSP has created a new unit, the Organic Airport Security and Border Control Unit, for this purpose. The Republican National Guard (GNR) will monitor and control maritime and land borders, including cruise terminals.

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐁𝐨𝐫𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐞𝐢𝐠𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐂𝐨𝐨𝐫𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐔𝐧𝐢𝐭?

This unit, often called "mini-SEF," will coordinate the actions of the police and other organizations involved in border and foreign matters.

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐢𝐬 𝐀𝐈𝐌𝐀?

The Agency for Integration, Migrations, and Asylum (AIMA) will take over the functions previously handled by SEF. AIMA will be responsible for administrative functions related to foreign citizens in Portugal, such as residence permits and refugee matters.

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐝𝐨𝐞𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐈𝐑𝐍 𝐝𝐨?

The Institute of Registration and Notary (IRN) is responsible for issuing the Portuguese electronic passport and handling renewals of residence permits.

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐞𝐧 𝐭𝐨 𝐒𝐄𝐅 𝐟𝐚𝐜𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬?

The SEF facilities nationwide will be transferred to the entities taking over their responsibilities. However, the fate of the SEF headquarters building in Porto Salvo, Lisbon district, is still being determined.

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐢𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐟𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭 𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐀𝐈𝐌𝐀?

AIMA's first day of work is October 30 2023. Agency for Integration, Migrations, and Asylum (AIMA) repeatedly start processing application for renewal and others for immigrants.

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐞𝐧 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐝 𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐰𝐚𝐥𝐬?

IRN Office will process the renewal of the card. Earlier, this system was managed by SEF by automatic renewals through their websites. Now, applicants need to book an appointment through SIGA(Application/website) and present the required documents for renewing their residence card.