More than 2,000 Nepalese immigrants may be at risk of expulsion in Portugal due to falsified documents
Matteuz Dutra
April 12, 2026
3 min read
A concerning pattern has been identified
A concerning pattern has been identified in residence permit applications: seemingly valid documents are leading to rejections and orders to leave the country.
In recent months, there has been a significant increase in rejection decisions issued by AIMA (Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum), particularly affecting Nepali citizens in Portugal.
In many of these cases, applicants submitted residence permit requests through the so-called expression of interest, believing they were complying with all legal requirements.
However, the outcome has been serious:
rejection of the application
order to leave the country within 20 days
risk of forced removal
The reason is the alleged use of falsified documents, especially criminal record certificates.
What is happening in practice
According to several recent AIMA decisions, there is a clear pattern:
applicants submitted criminal record certificates from Nepal
these documents were considered falsified or tampered with
in some cases, falsification of consular signatures was confirmed
More concerning:
many of these documents were obtained through intermediary agencies
payments ranged between 100 and 200 euros
In many cases, immigrants were not aware that the documents were false.
Why this is so serious
Portuguese law is clear.
The use of falsified documents is not considered a simple irregularity.
It is a serious defect that compromises the entire process.
In practice, this means that:
AIMA may immediately reject the application
the applicant’s credibility is questioned
there may be additional legal consequences
an order to leave the country is issued
The deadline is short and the risk is real
After the final rejection decision, the applicant is notified to leave the country within 20 days.
If they do not comply, they may be subject to:
detention for illegal stay
forced removal proceedings
Is there still a solution
Yes, but it depends on timing and how the case is handled.
In many cases, it is possible to:
file an administrative complaint
initiate precautionary legal action
file an administrative lawsuit
Each case must be assessed individually.
The bigger problem: lack of information
This situation reveals a serious issue.
Many immigrants rely on third parties to handle documentation without knowing whether the documents are legitimate.
When the problem appears, it may already be too late.
If you are in this situation
If you:
are a Nepali citizen in Portugal
submitted an expression of interest
used documents obtained through third parties
or received a notification from AIMA
It is essential to act quickly.
Speak with a lawyer
Every day counts.
A timely legal assessment can make the difference between:
trying to regularize your situation
or facing removal from the country
Related articles
Tribunal Constitucional Will Issue Opinion on Monday Regarding the Nationality Law
December 13, 2025
The Constitutional Court will decide on the constitutionality of the new Nationality Law. The ruling may affect deadlines, requirements, and rules on acquisition or loss of nationality. Understand what is under review and the potential impacts.
Read article →Comparative summary — New Portuguesa Nationality Law
November 9, 2025
Parliament has approved changes to the Portuguese Nationality Law that increase the minimum residency period and introduce new requirements. Understand what may change, who will be affected, and the key points to consider before the official publication.
Read article →New Portuguese Nationality Law: What will change and how it affects those who have lived in Portugal for 5 years or more
November 4, 2025
Changes to the Portuguese Nationality Law may alter the minimum residency period required to apply for citizenship. Understand what has been approved, who may be affected, and the key points to consider before the new legislation comes into force.
Read article →