Portugal’s migration agency (AIMA) has admitted its mistake in refusing a residence renewal for a nine-year-old Brazilian girl, cancelling an earlier order requiring her to leave the country.
In a statement released on Wednesday, the agency said the decision resulted from “an error of analysis” in the administrative process, which has now been corrected and communicated to the family.
AIMA also confirmed that the notification ordering the child’s voluntary departure, which it said had been “wrongly issued”, has been cancelled.
The case had drawn attention after it emerged that the girl, who has lived in the Algarve since she was eight months old, was told she had 20 days to leave Portugal despite her parents being legally resident.
According to reports, the refusal was based on an alleged lack of proof of accommodation. However, the child’s mother, Kátia Moreira, said she had submitted housing documents that included her children’s names.
In its statement, AIMA said that whenever “material errors, formal inconsistencies or insufficient documentation” are identified, it is available to review and correct decisions, adding that it remains committed to ensuring the legality and consistency of its processes.
The case was first reported by SIC and also involved the child’s 20-year-old brother, whose residence renewal was likewise refused. AIMA has not yet clarified whether the review will extend to the family’s other affected child.
Earlier, the case had raised concerns among legal experts, who warned the decision could breach protections related to children’s rights and family unity.
