AIMA to Gradually Introduce Grace Periods for Overdue Payments to Lawyers
Delays in payment for immigration regularization case lawyers working with the Agency for Integration, Migration, and Asylum (AIMA) have been a persistent issue, primarily due to the agency's backlog and operational constraints following its takeover from SEF.
The Bar Association, which has a protocol in place with AIMA, has been receiving processes for analysis despite the delays. According to the protocol, each registered lawyer can receive a maximum of 200 processes. However, approximately 300 lawyers contracted by AIMA are experiencing a delay in payments, with some delays dating back to March.
The delay in payments was reported by the newspaper Público, and the Bar Association questioned AIMA about the delays this week but has not yet received an explanation. The Bar Association has also received several complaints from lawyers about delayed payments.
AIMA has acknowledged the overdue payments to lawyers and has committed to regularizing the payments in phases, although there is no specific date publicly confirmed for complete payment resolution. The government and AIMA are actively implementing measures such as hiring more staff, modernizing technology, and extending the validity of residency permits until June 30, 2025, to ease processing burdens.
Regarding payments specifically for cases from March to June, no exact timeline for payment regularization has been detailed in the available information. However, considering the government's plans to resolve pending cases by December 2025 and ongoing phased payment efforts, it is likely that payments will be addressed progressively within this timeframe.
For the most current or case-specific information, contacting AIMA or the Bar Association directly may provide updates on individual payment status.
References:
- Público
- Portuguese News Agency
- Government of Portugal
Lawyers, who are dealing with immigration regularization cases, are encountering persistent delays in their payments from AIMA, despite the protocol in place with the Bar Association that limits each lawyer to 200 processes. This delay in finance, a crucial aspect of business, has caused a backlog for approximately 300 lawyers, with some delays extending back to March.
