The Old vs New Biometrics Process
Previously, AIMA and its predecessor SEF required biometric data collection early in the application process, often as one of the first steps after filing. Applicants would attend a biometric appointment to provide fingerprints and a photograph, and then wait for their application to be reviewed and a decision made. This meant that biometrics were collected from everyone who applied, including those whose applications would ultimately be denied or archived, wasting both AIMA's appointment capacity and applicants' time.
Under the new process, AIMA reviews your application and makes a decision first. Only after your application is approved are you scheduled for a biometric appointment. This is a more logical sequence: biometric data is only collected from people who will actually receive a permit, and the biometric appointment serves as the final step before card production rather than an intermediate step in a longer process. The change is particularly significant for the new digital Golden Visa platform, where the entire application review happens online and biometric collection only occurs post-approval.
How This Speeds Up Processing
By moving biometrics to after approval, AIMA reduces the total number of biometric appointments needed, as appointments are no longer consumed by applicants who will be denied. This frees up appointment capacity for approved applicants, reducing wait times for the final step. It also streamlines the case officer's workflow, as they can review and decide applications without waiting for biometric scheduling, which was often a bottleneck in the old process.
For applicants, the change means that once you receive your biometric appointment notification, you know your application has been approved. This eliminates the uncertainty of the old system, where you might attend a biometric appointment and then wait months more without knowing whether your application would succeed. The new process provides clearer milestones: submit your application, wait for approval, attend biometrics, and receive your card. Each step has a defined purpose and a predictable sequence, making the overall experience less stressful and more transparent.
What Happens at the Biometric Appointment
The biometric appointment is a brief in-person visit to your designated AIMA office where your fingerprints are scanned and a photograph is taken for your residence permit card. The process itself takes approximately 15 to 30 minutes, including check-in and any verification of your identity documents. You will need to present your passport for identification, and in some cases your expired or expiring residence card if you are renewing. The fingerprint scan captures all ten fingerprints digitally, and the photograph is taken on site using standardized equipment.
The appointment may also include a brief review of your personal details to ensure the information on your upcoming card will be correct: verify your name spelling, date of birth, address, and other details that will appear on the card. If any information needs updating, this is the time to make corrections. After the biometric data is collected, it is transmitted to the card production facility along with your approved application details. You receive a confirmation that your biometrics have been recorded and an estimated timeline for card availability.
Preparing for Your Appointment
Bring your passport, any existing or expired residence documents, and your appointment confirmation. Ensure your hands are clean and free of any substances that might affect fingerprint quality, such as lotions, paint, or adhesive. Avoid wearing heavy makeup or accessories that obstruct your face for the photograph. Arrive on time, as late arrivals may be turned away and required to reschedule. If you need to reschedule, do so through the portal before the appointment date to avoid a no-show record.
Review the personal information AIMA has on file for you before the appointment by checking your portal profile. If your name, address, or other details have changed since your application was submitted, update them through the portal before your biometric appointment. Corrections after the card has been produced require requesting a new card, which adds time and cost. Taking a few minutes to verify everything beforehand prevents these problems.
From Biometrics to Card in Hand
After your biometric appointment, the card production process typically takes two to four weeks. Your residence permit card is produced at a central facility and then delivered to your designated AIMA office or sent directly to your registered address, depending on the delivery method available for your office. You receive a notification when the card is ready for collection. Bring your passport and the collection notification to pick up your card.
While waiting for your card, the biometric confirmation receipt and your QR code proof of renewal or approval serve as proof of your legal status. Once you receive your card, verify all information is correct immediately. If there are any errors on the card, report them to AIMA right away to have a corrected card issued. Your new card is valid for the period specified in your approval, typically two years for initial permits or three years for renewals, and begins the countdown to your next renewal or your eligibility for permanent residence.