How to apply for a temporary residence permit in Portugal when your permit expired but you never left the country
Official AIMA news
This article is based on the official AIMA announcement: Formulário de Contacto: Pedido de AR Temporária - Art. 122.º alínea j. Below we summarize procedures, documents and links provided by AIMA.
Can I regularize my status in Portugal after my residence permit expired? In many cases, yes — if you remained in Portugal without leaving and meet the conditions of Art. 122(1)(j) of the Portuguese Immigration Law (REPSAE). This route allows certain foreign nationals to apply for a temporary residence permit without a visa, even when their previous permit has expired.
Can I apply without leaving Portugal? That is the core requirement: you must not have left Portuguese territory during the relevant period after your permit expired. In 2026, AIMA opened an official online contact form specifically for these applications.
In this guide: who qualifies, the official AIMA form, required documents, proof of continuous stay, legal basis, and answers to the most common questions.
1. Who Can Apply Under Art. 122(1)(j)
Art. 122(1)(j) of Law no. 23/2007 applies to foreign nationals who:
- Have not left Portuguese territory during the period following the date on which their residence permit expired.
- Have held an expired residence permit for more than six months.
Grace period
According to AIMA clarification, residence rights are maintained for 6 months after the residence permit card expires. For cards that expired by 30 June 2025, residents have until 15 April 2026 to maintain their rights, provided they have not left Portugal during this period.
This pathway is commonly relevant for foreign nationals whose Portuguese residence card expired while they continued living in Portugal without interruption. The procedure is handled by AIMA (Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum). If you are renewing an existing valid permit through the online portal instead, see our guide on AIMA renewals via the ARI portal or how to renew your residence permit in Portugal.
2. Official AIMA Form for Art. 122(j) Applications
The contact form for temporary residence applications under Art. 122(j) is available at:
contactenos.aima.gov.pt/contact-form
Select the application type corresponding to Temporary Residence Authorization without visa — Art. 122(j) (the label on AIMA's form; the legal outcome is a temporary residence permit).
To submit missing documents for pending processes, indicate your Foreigner Identification Number (on the process receipt).
The form is for applicants requesting a Portuguese temporary residence permit under Art. 122(1)(j) without a prior residence visa. If your situation involves a cancelled AIMA appointment or an expired visa while waiting for a title, read our guide on AIMA appointments cancelled in Portugal.
3. Required Documents for the Art. 122(j) Residence Permit
Applicants should prepare documentation demonstrating identity, residence in Portugal, means of subsistence, and proof that they did not leave Portuguese territory during the relevant period.
According to AIMA and the legal framework, documents include:
- Two passport-style photographs (colour, plain background, recent) — if scheduling in person at AIMA offices
- Valid passport
- Sworn statement of residence address (indicating tenure type: owner, tenant, subtenant, usufructuary, etc.)
- Proof of property or rental — property registry certificate (if owner/usufructuary) or landlord declaration (if tenant)
- Proof of means of subsistence
- Proof of continuous stay in Portugal (not having left national territory)
Address and tenure
The address declaration must indicate the type of occupancy: owner, tenant, subtenant, usufructuary or other. The proof must match (property registry for owners, landlord declaration for tenants). For accommodation standards and recent AIMA guidance, see AIMA accommodation proof requirements in Portugal.
Proof of stay in Portugal
It is essential to document that you have not left Portugal. Bank statements, utility bills, employment records, tax filings, medical records, or rental agreements showing continuous presence may be used. Keep originals and organised copies from the date your permit expired onwards.
4. Important Considerations for Art. 122(j) Applicants
Applicants should carefully preserve evidence of continuous stay in Portugal, especially where there were long periods without employment or formal registration. Supporting evidence may include:
- bank statements;
- utility bills;
- employment documentation;
- medical records;
- tax documentation;
- rental documentation; or
- other records showing physical presence in Portugal.
If your permit expired years ago but you have never left Portugal since that date, you may still fall within the scope of Art. 122(1)(j) — provided the other requirements are met. Each case depends on the exact dates, travel history, and documents available. AIMA procedures may change; confirm current requirements through official sources or seek case-specific legal advice.
Delays at AIMA, portal outages, or difficulty obtaining appointments are common. Our guide on the AIMA portal not working explains practical alternatives when online systems fail.
5. Legal Basis for Temporary Residence Under Art. 122(j)
Procedures are regulated by Art. 122(1)(j) of REPSAE, in conjunction with Art. 61 of Regulatory Decree 84/2007 of 5 November (current version) and Ordinance 1563/2007 of 11 December.
6. Official AIMA Links
- Contact form (temporary residence, Art. 122(j)): contactenos.aima.gov.pt/contact-form
- AIMA news – Art. 122(j) form: aima.gov.pt/pt/noticias/formulario-de-contacto-pedido-de-ar-temporaria-art-o-122-alinea-j
- AIMA page – Art. 122(j): aima.gov.pt/pt/viver/que-nao-se-tenham-ausentado-de-portugal-e-cujo-direito-de-residencia-tenha-caducado-art-122-o-1-al-j
Related guides
- AIMA appointment cancelled — what to do
- AIMA renewals portal (ARI) 2026
- How to renew your residence permit in Portugal
- AIMA accommodation proof
- AIMA portal not working
- Portugal residence visas — overview
Frequently Asked Questions About Art. 122(j)
Who can apply for a temporary residence permit under Art. 122(1)(j)?
Foreign nationals who have not left Portuguese territory after their residence permit expired and who have held an expired permit for more than six months. AIMA maintains residence rights for 6 months after the card expires; for cards that expired by 30/06/2025, the extended deadline is 15/04/2026, provided you did not leave Portugal.
Where can I find the official AIMA form for Art. 122(j)?
At contactenos.aima.gov.pt/contact-form. Select temporary residence without visa, Art. 122(j). To submit missing documents, indicate your Foreigner Identification Number from the process receipt.
What documents are required for the Art. 122(j) residence permit?
Valid passport; sworn statement of address (with tenure type); proof of property or rental; proof of means of subsistence; proof of continuous stay in Portugal. For in-person appointments at AIMA offices: two recent passport-style photographs.
Can I travel outside Portugal while my Art. 122(j) application is pending?
We do not recommend it. Leaving Portugal may undermine the core requirement that you did not leave national territory. Re-entry can be refused if you lack a valid visa or residence title. If travel is essential, seek legal advice on your specific situation before departing.
Can I work while waiting for AIMA to decide my Art. 122(j) application?
There is no automatic right to work while the application is pending. Whether you may work depends on your previous title, any grace period, and how AIMA treats your case in practice. Confirm your status with a lawyer before signing employment contracts or registering as self-employed.
What if my residence permit expired years ago?
Art. 122(1)(j) can apply when the permit has been expired for more than six months, provided you never left Portugal during the relevant period. Longer expiry does not exclude you by itself, but you must prove continuous presence and meet all other requirements. Cases with complex travel history need individual legal assessment.
What documents best prove continuous stay in Portugal?
Combine several sources: bank statements in Portugal, utility and telecom bills, employment or freelance records, IRS/tax documentation, rental contracts, medical appointments, and any official correspondence sent to your Portuguese address. The goal is a coherent timeline showing you did not leave national territory.
ZR Lawyers — Immigration and Nationality Law
Need help with Art. 122(j) or an expired residence permit?
ZR Lawyers is a Lisbon-based law firm focused on Portuguese immigration and nationality law. We advise individuals and families on residence permits, AIMA procedures, renewals, and regularisation under Art. 122(1)(j).
We can review your documents, assess eligibility, and assist with the AIMA contact form and follow-up. Book a consultation to speak with a licensed attorney about your case.
This guide is for general information only and does not replace legal advice for your specific situation. Immigration rules and AIMA practice change frequently.