Portugal's Family Reunification Process for Foreign Residents

Portugal has announced a structured family reunification process for foreign residents, allowing them to bring specific family members into the country. According to the national visa framework, any foreign national with a valid residency permit can apply for family reunification.

However, prior approval from AIMA, the Agency for Integration, Migrations and Asylum, is required before submitting a visa application. The eligible categories of relatives include spouses, minor children, dependants of either spouse, legally adopted minors, single adult children who are financially dependent and studying in Portugal, first-degree lineal ascendants (parents or grandparents) who are financially dependent, and minor siblings under legal guardianship.

The process involves two stages: obtaining approval from AIMA and then applying for a residency visa at a Portuguese consulate. Notably, only spouses and ascendants are required to pay the standard visa application fee, while descendants are exempt from these fees.