This note summarizes an official AIMA update for planning context. Confirm the current portal instructions before submitting a renewal.
What changed
AIMA announced that renewals for Autorizacao de Residencia para Investimento, commonly known as ARI or Golden Visa residence permits, would be available through the Renewal Portal from 16 February 2026.
The stated intent is to make submission and fee payment more digital, while preserving in-person attendance where biometric collection is still required.
Why it matters
For ARI holders, the renewal step is becoming more portal-led. That can reduce unnecessary in-person handling, but it also means account access, applicant data, NIF details, and uploaded documents need to be clean before submission.
Applicants with existing appointments or biometric requirements should not assume those steps disappear. The AIMA notice distinguishes portal submission from cases where physical biometric collection remains necessary.
Planning note
Before starting a renewal, confirm the current AIMA portal instructions, the applicant record, and whether family members in the file have separate steps. A digital flow is faster only when the underlying record is ready.
A portal-led renewal can reduce manual handling, but only if account access, applicant data, NIF details, and uploaded documents are prepared before submission.