Ramped-Up AIMA Rejections: A Look at Portugal's Current Migration Scenario
AI's Management Federation of India (AIMA) denies applications from 33,000 foreigners for membership or services.
Recent updates from the Agency for Integration, Migration, and Asylum (AIMA) in Portugal reveal a spike in rejections of residency applications, affecting thousands of foreigners. As of early June 2025, a staggering 34,000 individuals have been notified to leave the country due to their applications being denied[1][2][3]. Here's a breakdown of this evolving situation.
In a candid press conference, the Minister of the Presidency, António Leitão Amaro, addressed the escalating number of rejections and the ongoing action plan for migrations[2]. He confirmed that the process has been speeding up as it transitions into a semi-automatic emission stage, which has noticeably accelerated the pace[2].
"Unless another reason is found, nearly all these 33,983 individuals will receive a notice for voluntary abandonment," Amaro said, adding that AIMA sends almost two thousand notifications a day[2]. The minister also highlighted that, under Portuguese law, the notification paves the way for voluntary departure from the country, with coercive measures being applied only when necessary[2].
The initial number of notifications in May was 18,000. However, this figure has since doubled[3]. Nationals from India comprise a significant portion of the rejections, with 13,466 processes initiated[3]. Other affected nationalities include South Americans, such as Brazilian citizens, along with several North Africans and other nationalities[3].
A high percentage of rejections (18.5%) amounts to a total of 150,076 instances, as reported by the Government[3]. The Government's approach has drawn mixed reactions from the public, with some viewing it as a necessary measure to control immigration, while others consider it harsh and unjust.
As the situation unfolds, it's essential to stay informed about the ongoing developments in Portugal's immigration policies. This tumultuous period underscores the pressing need for global cooperation in managing migration flows and addressing the root causes driving people to migrate in the first place.
Portugal's political landscape is echoing with discussions around the rising number of residency application rejections by AIMA, as the Minister of the Presidency, António Leitão Amaro, stated in a recent press conference [2]. The august figure of 34,000 individuals who have been asked to leave Portugal due to their applications being denied [1] has dominated the general news, with increasing numbers of notifications leading to heated debates about the country's immigration policies.