AIMA Residence Permit Photo Requirements
AIMA takes your photo, fingerprints, and signature live at the biometric appointment — you don't need to bring photos. But printed 35×45mm backups are wise: some AIMA offices ask for them, equipment fails, and certain permit types specifically require them. Here's what actually happens at the appointment.
The quick answer
AIMA takes a fresh biometric photo at your appointment (15-30 minutes, includes fingerprints + signature). You usually don't need to bring a photo, but some AIMA offices (notably Odivelas and Aveiro) explicitly require 2 printed 35×45mm photos with plain white background. Bring them as backup regardless — cheaper than rescheduling if their equipment fails.
What AIMA Actually Is
AIMA (Agência para a Integração, Migrações e Asilo) is the Portuguese agency that issues residence permits to non-Portuguese citizens. It replaced SEF (Serviço de Estrangeiros e Fronteiras) in October 2023 after SEF was dissolved. Every D7, D8, Golden Visa, student visa, work visa, and family reunification permit holder in Portugal interacts with AIMA at some point — usually for biometric capture, card issuance, or renewal.
If you’re reading older expat blog posts referring to SEF, the process has moved to AIMA. The photo specs are unchanged.
The Photo at AIMA — Two Paths
AIMA’s photo requirements depend on two things: (1) whether your application is new or a renewal, and (2) which AIMA office handles your appointment.
Path A: Most AIMA offices — live biometric capture
At most AIMA offices across Portugal, they take your photo on-site using their biometric equipment. You don’t need to bring a photo. Process:
- You arrive at the appointment
- Officer verifies your passport and supporting documents
- You sit in front of the biometric camera
- Photo is captured (they retake immediately if it’s not compliant)
- Fingerprints (all 10) and digital signature follow
- You pay the card fee
- Card is mailed 4-8 weeks later
Path B: Odivelas and Aveiro AIMA Stores — printed photos required
The AIMA Stores in Odivelas (Lisbon metro) and Aveiro have specific guidance requiring 2 passport-sized photos with plain background at the appointment. If your appointment is at one of these offices, you must bring them.
Check your appointment location
When you receive your AIMA appointment confirmation, note the office. If it’s Odivelas or Aveiro, bring 2 printed 35×45mm photos. If it’s any other location, bring them anyway as backup — reschedule waits are long.
Photo Specifications
| Photo size | 35×45mm (≈1.38×1.77 inches) |
| Head height (chin to crown) | 32–36mm (70–80% of frame) |
| Background | Plain white or light uniform colour |
| Color | Color only — no black-and-white |
| Expression | Neutral, mouth closed, both eyes open |
| Glasses | Not allowed |
| Recency | Less than 6 months old |
| Print format | Glossy photo paper, 2 identical prints |
Quick Visual Reference
AIMA rejects photos with
- ✕ US 2×2 inch (51×51mm) square format
- ✕ Glasses (any kind)
- ✕ Smiling, teeth visible
- ✕ Sunglasses or tinted lenses
- ✕ Headwear (except religious)
- ✕ Shadows on face or background
- ✕ Black-and-white prints
- ✕ Beauty filters or retouching
AIMA-compliant photos have
- ✓ 35×45mm size (European biometric format)
- ✓ Face 32–36mm chin to crown
- ✓ Plain white or light uniform background
- ✓ Neutral expression, mouth closed
- ✓ Both eyes open, looking forward
- ✓ Color print on glossy paper
- ✓ Less than 6 months old
- ✓ 2 identical copies
AIMA Appointment Reality Check
Some hard truths about getting an AIMA appointment in 2026:
Wait times: Scheduling typically takes 1-3 months, but waits of 6+ months happen during busy periods. Lisbon and Porto offices are the most backed up. Regional offices (Coimbra, Braga, Faro, Évora) often have faster availability.
Since April 28, 2025, AIMA has a strict “complete application” rule: incomplete files are rejected outright. Every required document — including a compliant biometric photo — must be ready and correct at appointment time. Showing up with a photo that has glasses or a grey background risks the whole appointment.
The digital platform: All new applications and renewals must be submitted digitally via AIMA’s online platforms before the in-person biometric appointment. Your uploaded photo must also meet the 35×45mm biometric standard.
Who Needs This Guide
- D7 visa holders — passive income route, after arrival in Portugal
- D8 visa holders — digital nomad visa, after arrival in Portugal
- Golden Visa investors — all ARI routes, AIMA biometric 6-12 months after application
- Student visa holders — Type 1 residence permits
- Family reunification applicants — spouses and children of existing permit holders
- Residence permit renewals — every 2-5 years depending on permit type
- Work visa holders — Type 2 permits tied to employment
The photo requirements are identical across all permit types. What differs is the application pathway, the fees, and which AIMA office you’re routed to.
For Specific Visa Routes
If you’re arriving on a specific visa, see our dedicated guides:
- Portugal D8 digital nomad visa photo
- Portugal D7 passive income visa photo
- Portugal Golden Visa (ARI) photo
For Portuguese passport photos (which Portuguese citizens need, not AIMA residence permits), see the Portuguese passport photo requirements guide.
Bringing Photos From Abroad
If you’re about to move to Portugal and want to arrive with compliant photos in hand, our $1 tool outputs the exact Portuguese 35×45mm biometric format from a phone photo — same specs AIMA uses. A 10×15cm print sheet contains 6 photos, so you have plenty for the consulate application (2), the AIMA biometric backup (2), and spares for later renewals.
Printing abroad: most photo shops and pharmacies in the US, UK, Germany, Brazil can print the 35×45mm European format if you give them the JPEG — the confusion usually arises when they try to use their local passport format by default. Our tool’s output is ready for “print 10×15cm photo” at any shop.
Sources
AIMA official portal: aima.gov.pt. Appointment booking is through the AIMA portal — third-party sites charging fees for “appointment services” are not affiliated with AIMA. Photo specifications follow the Portuguese biometric standard used across all government IDs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to bring a photo to my AIMA appointment?
AIMA typically takes a live biometric photo at your appointment, so for most permit types and offices you don't need to bring one. However, AIMA Stores in Odivelas and Aveiro explicitly require 2 printed passport-sized photos with plain background. Other offices may ask for backups if their equipment has issues. Bring 2 printed 35×45mm photos as a safety net — cost is negligible, reschedule risk is high.
What photo format does AIMA accept?
The standard Portuguese biometric format: 35×45mm, plain white or light uniform background, neutral expression, no glasses, less than 6 months old. Color, not black-and-white. Printed on glossy photo paper. These are the same specs used for Portuguese passports, Schengen visas, and D-class residence visa applications.
Why do Odivelas and Aveiro AIMA offices require physical photos?
The AIMA Stores at Odivelas (Lisbon metropolitan area) and Aveiro operate slightly differently from standard AIMA offices — likely due to higher case volumes or different equipment configurations. Their official guidance states 2 passport-sized photographs with plain background are required at the appointment. If your appointment is at one of these offices, bringing them is mandatory.
What happens during the AIMA biometric appointment?
The appointment typically lasts 15-30 minutes. AIMA officers capture: (1) a live biometric photo (taken on-site), (2) all 10 fingerprints, (3) your signature on a digital pad. They verify your documents against the original visa application. You pay the residence permit card fee at this appointment: €160-170 for a new permit (March 2026 rates), or €70-160 for renewals depending on permit type. A 25% discount applies when the application is submitted through AIMA's digital channel. The physical card is mailed to your Portuguese address 4-8 weeks later.
I can't get an AIMA appointment for months. What do I do?
Appointment scheduling delays of 1-6 months are common, especially in Lisbon and Porto. Strategies: (1) check for availability daily via the AIMA portal — cancellations open slots; (2) try regional offices (Coimbra, Braga, Faro) instead of Lisbon; (3) contact an immigration lawyer who may have access to faster routing; (4) use third-party appointment alert services. Your photo should be less than 6 months old at the appointment, so wait until you have a date before taking it.
Can I wear glasses in my AIMA photo?
No. Portuguese biometric photos do not permit glasses — this includes prescription, reading, and tinted lenses. AIMA asks you to remove glasses during the on-site biometric capture. If you bring backup photos, make sure you weren't wearing glasses when they were taken.
Does AIMA accept digital photo upload for residence permits?
Yes — as of 2025, AIMA requires all applications and renewals to be submitted digitally via AIMA platforms, with incomplete files rejected outright. This means your supporting documents (including a compliant biometric photo JPEG) go through AIMA's online platform before the in-person biometric appointment. At the appointment, AIMA still captures a fresh live biometric photo.
My AIMA appointment is in a month. Should I take the photo now or closer to the date?
Take it now if you've already done your digital upload (which requires a photo attached to your application). For the backup printed photos you bring to the appointment, any time in the 2-4 weeks before works — as long as the photo is less than 6 months old. Same photo serves both purposes.
What if my AIMA photo is rejected?
During the live biometric capture, AIMA retakes immediately if the first attempt isn't compliant (blurry, eyes closed, wrong position). If you brought printed photos that don't meet specs (smiling, glasses, wrong size), you'll be asked to retake. If equipment fails and they can't capture a live photo and your backups are also non-compliant, the appointment is rescheduled — typically 1-3 months out. This is why backup photos matter.
Create AIMA-compliant backup photos
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