Asian Immigrants in Portugal Rally Against Long Waits for Residence Permits
Asian Immigrants in Portugal Protest Delays in Residence Permit Processing
More than 100 Asian immigrants gathered in front of the Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum (AIMA) in Lisbon, voicing their frustration over prolonged delays in residence permit regularisation. The protest, calling for "residence for all" and equal rights, featured demonstrators holding signs with slogans like “We are all legal.”
The demonstration was organised by the Immigrant Solidarity Association, whose president, Timóteo Macedo, has been vocal in demanding fairer and more transparent migration policies.
Activists Criticise Accelerated Worker Recruitment Agreement
Macedo also criticized the Portuguese government’s agreement to hire foreign workers through an accelerated procedure, arguing that it does not address the challenges faced by immigrants already residing in Portugal. He emphasized that his association continues to receive complaints, particularly from nationals of Bangladesh, Nepal, Pakistan, and India, who are facing uncertainties due to bureaucratic delays.
Ongoing Complaints Despite Reform Attempts
This protest is not the first of its kind. Immigrants in Portugal have consistently raised concerns about long waiting times and a lack of clarity in the residence permit application process.
Despite efforts by authorities to streamline regularisation, many are still experiencing uncertainty about their legal status and future in the country.
Portugal Launches Platform to Speed Up Regularisation
In January 2025, Portugal’s AIMA introduced a new online platform aimed at regularising immigrants with valid employment contracts. This tool targets individuals who made Social Security contributions before June 4, 2024, allowing them to apply for legal status more efficiently.
According to immigration lawyer Klaudia Freitas, the platform also introduces more relaxed requirements. Previously, immigrants were required to prove 12 months of contributions, but under the new system, only one month of contributions by the cutoff date is now sufficient.
Portugal Still Faces Backlog of Regularisation Cases
While the platform was designed to accelerate residence permit processing, the effectiveness of these reforms remains unclear. Portugal continues to be one of the EU countries with a high number of undocumented immigrants awaiting legalisation, prompting ongoing debate about immigration reform and integration.
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