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Family reunification — recognised refugee sponsor

PortugalFamily

Explore the five recorded questions, answers and sources for this pathway.

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Which family relationships qualify?

Besides the general family members, for an unaccompanied minor refugee the qualifying relatives are first-degree direct ascendants, or the legal guardian or any other relative if there are no ascendants or they cannot be found. An unaccompanied minor is a third-country national or stateless person under 18 who entered unaccompanied by a responsible adult or was abandoned after entry.

See recorded sources
Limits of the record
  • General family-member list for adult refugees applies by cross-reference; not restated here.

Who may sponsor or bring the family member, and what immigration/citizenship status must that person hold?

A refugee recognised under the asylum law has the right to family reunification with family members in or outside Portugal.

See recorded sources

What is important for proving marriage, partnership, parentage, custody, dependency or another qualifying relationship?

When a refugee cannot provide official documents proving the family relationship, other types of evidence must be considered, and a refusal cannot be based solely on missing documentary proof.

See recorded sources

What important financial, accommodation, insurance or maintenance responsibilities apply?

For family reunification of refugees, Article 101(2) of Law 23/2007 expressly disapplies the accommodation and sufficient-means requirements in Article 101(1). This provision does not establish whether a separate health-insurance condition or other requirements under different provisions apply.

See recorded sources
Limits of the record
  • Article 101(2) exempts refugee family reunification from only the accommodation and sufficient-means conditions in Article 101(1). The captured provision does not establish a general insurance waiver or waive requirements in other articles.
  • Lei n.º 23/2007, artigo 101.º, n.º 1, alíneas a) e b), versão consolidada
    1 - Para o exercício do direito ao reagrupamento familiar deve o requerente dispor de: a) Alojamento, comprovadamente próprio ou arrendado, considerado normal para uma família comparável na mesma região em território nacional, e que satisfaça as normas gerais de segurança e salubridade, tal como definido por portaria dos membros do Governo responsáveis pelas áreas das migrações e da habitação; b) Meios de subsistência suficientes para sustentar todos os membros do agrupamento familiar, sem recurso a apoios sociais, tal como definido por portaria dos membros do Governo responsáveis pelas áreas das migrações e da segurança social.
  • Lei n.º 23/2007, artigo 101.º, n.º 2, versão consolidada
    2 - O disposto no número anterior não é aplicável ao reagrupamento familiar de refugiados.

How does the application work at a high level, what rights does the family member receive, how long does the status last, and how can it become independent or longer-term where officially stated?

The sponsor asks AIMA for entry and residence of family members abroad; the request must be decided within nine months. A family member holding the reunification visa, or in Portugal with an approved request, receives a residence permit of the same duration as the resident's. The official source does not state the family member's rights or a path to independent or longer-term status for refugee families.

See recorded sources
Limits of the record
  • Autonomy/long-term rules specific to refugee families not stated.

These are the answers currently recorded in the catalogue. A missing or partial answer is not an eligibility decision.

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