Portugal: Residence Permit Appointment Delays Causing Travel ...

As a result of the delays stemming from the creation of the APMMA - Agency for Minorities, Migration and Asylum, there is a lack of in-country residence permit appointments. Therefore, holders of residence Visas are arriving in Portugal without a residence permit appointment and are unable to obtain a residence permit for some time. During the time that they do not have a residence permit, they can only travel under their residence visa (which is only valid for four months and only allows two entries into Portugal). This prevents them from traveling outside the Schengen Area after the validity of the residence visa expires and prevents travel outside the Schengen Area, as it is limited under the residence visa. Dependents that enter after the assignee face similar issues as there are no appointments available for family reunion.