Immigrants in Portugal are compelled to pay intermediaries to arrange appointments for residence permits.

Here are the key points:

- Immigrants in Portugal are compelled to resort to illegal brokers to secure appointments for residence permits.
- These brokers are overwhelming the phone lines of AIMA, making it impossible for immigrants to get through.
- Lawyers have filed complaints with the Judiciary Police concerning this exploitation.

A concerning trend has emerged in Portugal, where immigrants are left with no option but to pay unauthorized brokers to arrange appointments for their residence permits at the Agency for Integration, Migration, and Asylum (AIMA). Obtaining an appointment with AIMA is critical for acquiring or renewing a Portuguese residence permit. However, due to brokers inundating AIMA's phone lines, immigrants are unable to secure appointments through official channels, driving them to resort to illicit means and pay individuals affiliated with these networks. Brokers utilize specialized systems to overload AIMA's phone lines, effectively preventing immigrants from joining the queue. Consequently, immigrants seek out individuals and organized groups on social media who offer appointment slots in exchange for exorbitant fees ranging from €500 to €1,000. Concerned by this exploitation, lawyers, including Inês Azevedo, have lodged complaints with the Judiciary Police. Azevedo stressed the significant contributions immigrants make to Portugal's economy and social welfare system but lamented their exploitation and urged Portuguese authorities to promptly address these practices. Investigations by Novo revealed that both immigrants residing in Portugal and individuals in other countries, such as Brazil and certain African nations, are involved in the illegal sale of appointment slots. Family reunification appointments, particularly for children aged five to 15, are in high demand. In January of this year, the Portuguese government enacted new legislation to streamline family reunification requests, aiming to improve the accessibility and efficiency of the immigration process. Despite AIMA's pledge to introduce a digital services portal for smoother residence permit applications, appointments still must be made via phone, perpetuating the reliance on illicit brokers.