AIMA Form for Foreign Students: Temporary Residence in Portugal 2026
AIMA has launched a scheduling form for foreign students who had a residence permit for study and have completed it and now wish to apply for temporary residence in Portugal to work. Find out who qualifies, which documents to prepare, and where to access the official form.
New AIMA scheduling channel
The Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum (AIMA) has made available a specific form for scheduling appointments for foreign students who had a residence permit for study and have completed it and now wish to apply for temporary residence in Portugal to work. The form is available at contactenos.aima.gov.pt/contact-form. This article summarises who it is for and which documents are mandatory, based on AIMA's official communication.
If you have completed secondary or higher education in Portugal and wish to stay to work or use the job-search period after your studies, AIMA has created a dedicated channel to schedule your temporary residence application. Knowing the requirements and gathering the documents in advance avoids delays and applications that fall outside the scope, which are automatically disregarded.
Who is the form for?
The form is intended for foreign students in one of the following situations:
Completion of studies and work
Students who completed secondary education or the first cycle of higher education in Portugal and now wish to work in Portugal, as employees or self-employed. For these cases, they must provide proof of completion of studies and, as applicable, an employment contract, proof of provision of services, or a declaration of opening independent activity with the Tax Authority.
Job-search period or setting up a company
Higher education students or researchers who have finished their studies or research projects in Portugal and wish to use the maximum 1-year period to look for work or set up a company in Portugal compatible with their qualifications. For this, the applicant's declaration that they intend to use this period is required, in addition to proof of completion of studies or the research project.
Residence Renewal Portal
If you have completed or interrupted your studies, you should not use the Residence Permit Renewal Portal. You must apply through the dedicated contact form, as your renewal will be rejected and you may face complications resulting from the rejection.
Required documents
To submit the application through this channel, AIMA requires the following documents (scanned copies):
- Copy of passport
- Copy of Residence Permit (current)
- Proof of completion of studies — secondary education or completion of higher education (1st, 2nd and 3rd cycles) and/or research project
- As applicable:
- Employment contract or proof of provision of services and declaration of opening independent activity with the Tax Authority; or
- Applicant's declaration that they intend to use the maximum 1-year period to look for work in Portugal, compatible with their qualifications
- Proof of registration with Social Security (NISS)
Applications outside scope
AIMA note: All forms submitted that do not fall within the scope of this matter will be automatically disregarded. Make sure your situation fits the situations described and that you attach all required documents before submitting.
Where to access the form and official news
The scheduling form is available at:
contactenos.aima.gov.pt/contact-form
AIMA's official news item describing this procedure can be found at: aima.gov.pt/pt/noticias/kjk.
Summary of AIMA communication (student form)
AIMA has launched a form for scheduling aimed at foreign students who had a residence permit for study and have completed it and now wish to apply for temporary residence in Portugal to work. It is intended for:
- Students who completed secondary education or the first cycle of higher education in Portugal and wish to work as employees or self-employed;
- Higher education students or researchers who finished their studies or projects and wish to use the maximum 1-year period to look for work or set up a company in Portugal compatible with their qualifications.
Required documents: passport, residence permit, proof of completion of studies (or research project), as applicable employment contract/provision of services and declaration of opening activity with the Tax Authority or declaration to use the 1-year job search period, and proof of Social Security registration (NISS). Forms outside scope are automatically disregarded.
Recommendation
If you are unsure whether your situation qualifies or which documentation to submit, we recommend consulting an immigration lawyer in Portugal. ZR Advogados can help you prepare the application and follow the process with AIMA.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can use the AIMA scheduling form for temporary residence?
Foreign students who had a residence permit for study and have completed it: those who completed secondary education or the first cycle of higher education in Portugal and wish to work (as employees or self-employed); and higher education students or researchers who finished their studies or research projects and wish to use the maximum 1-year period to look for work or set up a company in Portugal compatible with their qualifications.
Where is the AIMA scheduling form for students?
The form is available at contactenos.aima.gov.pt/contact-form. It is for foreign students who had a residence permit for study and have completed it and now wish to apply for temporary residence in Portugal to work, in the situations defined by AIMA.
What documents are required for the application?
Required: copy of passport; copy of residence permit; proof of completion of studies (secondary or higher education, 1st, 2nd or 3rd cycles) or research project; as applicable, employment contract or proof of provision of services and declaration of opening activity with the Tax Authority, or declaration to use the 1-year job search period; and proof of Social Security registration (NISS).
I didn't know and submitted the renewal through the Renewal Portal, what should I do?
There is no official AIMA guidance on these cases, but we recommend that you submit the correct form and send an email to geral@aima.gov.pt explaining the situation. If you receive a notice of intent to refuse, reply that you requested the appointment through the Form and submit proof of the request to avoid a possible rejection decision and notification for voluntary departure.
What happens if I submit the form without qualifying or with incomplete documentation?
AIMA states that all forms submitted that do not fall within the scope of the matter will be automatically disregarded. So it is important to confirm that your situation fits the situations provided for and that you attach all required documents before submitting.