Institute of Registries and Notaries (IRN) is, from today onwards, the entity responsible for granting and issuing the Portuguese Electronic Passport, namely the common passport, the special passport, the temporary passport and the passport for foreign citizens.
In addition to becoming the entity responsible for granting and issuing the passport, the IRN also integrates assistance to foreign citizens for the renewal of Residence Permits (temporary and permanent).
According to a statement released this Sunday, with the restructuring of the Portuguese border control system, 75 workers from the SEF general career transition to the IRN, ensuring face-to-face assistance to foreign citizens in the Registration services and Citizens' Shops across the country. , as well as the Decision-Making Center.
The Institute of Registries and Notaries (IRN) will now provide a broader catalog of services in the field of civil identification, to incorporate new functions in administrative matters related to the issuance of passports and foreign citizens. These powers are transferred from the Foreigners and Borders Service (SEF) to the IRN, as part of the restructuring process of the Portuguese border control system, which takes place from this Sunday, October 29th.
Residence Permit Renewal
The Registry counters will also provide assistance - in this first phase exclusively by prior appointment - for requests for temporary and permanent Residency Authorization Renewal (RAR). Renewal cases for victims of human trafficking and for investment purposes are handled by the Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum (AIMA).
Online RAR scheduling will be available, from Monday, through the SIGA booking portal at Siga.marcacaodeatendimento.pt and the SigaApp mobile application. Selecting the options (i) entity “Registration”, (ii) theme “Citizen”, (iii) sub-theme “Residence Permit”, (iv) reason “Residence Permit Renewal” and then choosing the day, time and the desired service desk.
RAR service now has more service points and more response capacity, including Citizen Stores, where opening hours are longer. Therefore, it will be possible to access this service, by appointment, at 34 registration counters and in Citizens' Stores across the country.
IRN integrates 75 SEF workers
As part of the restructuring process of the Portuguese border control system, 75 workers from the SEF general career will be transferred to the IRN, who will be allocated to customer service and the Passport Decision-Making Center.
The IRN will integrate these workers into its Registration services, ensuring the maintenance of their functions, and placement in a job in the same district where they previously performed them.
These workers will, therefore, ensure the face-to-face assistance of foreign citizens in the Registration services and Citizens' Offices across the country, as well as the Passport Decision-Making Center, already integrated into the Civil Identification Department.
The IRN has prepared a welcome program for new workers with several actions, including a welcome session, which will take place this Monday, with the presence of the Minister of Justice, Catarina Sarmento e Castro. Training sessions are also planned focusing on the Citizen Card and Passport skills, as a way of enhancing your skills.