Nearly 2,000 Nepalis given chance to remain in Portugal after fraud case review

Nearly 2,000 Nepali migrants in Portugal, who were facing deportation and fines, have been granted an opportunity to apply for temporary residence permits (TRC). This decision offers significant relief to individuals caught in a document fraud scandal that had placed them in a precarious legal situation.

The Portuguese Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum (AIMA) is allowing affected Nepalis to apply for legal residency, even though their documents contained irregularities. The migrants had submitted authentic police clearance certificates issued by Nepal Police, but these documents bore forged stamps and signatures purportedly from the Portuguese Embassy in New Delhi and the Nepali Embassy. Many claimed they were misled by intermediaries who managed their paperwork.

"When the certification stamps on the police reports were found to be fake, the Nepalis became victims themselves," stated Nepali Ambassador to Portugal Prakash Mani Paudel. He added that Portuguese authorities had facilitated the process, enabling all affected individuals to apply. The Nepali Embassy has forwarded a list of 1,760 applicants who claim to be victims of the fraud to Portuguese authorities.

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When the certification stamps on the police reports were found to be fake, the Nepalis became victims themselves. We had been in regular discussions and coordination with senior Portuguese officials on this issue. Portuguese authorities have provided the necessary facilitation, and all affected Nepalis now have the opportunity to apply.

These migrants had been subjected to deportation proceedings after authorities confirmed the use of forged stamps and signatures on otherwise genuine police clearance certificates. Some received notices to leave the country within a specified period, with warnings of deportation and potential prison sentences. The Nepali Embassy had appealed to Portuguese authorities for a humanitarian consideration, leading to this second chance for the migrants.

Portugal's recent policy to clear immigration backlogs and tighten scrutiny has made migrants eligible for temporary residence permits if they obtained Tax Identification Numbers (NIF) and Social Security Identification Numbers (NISS) by June 3, 2024. Applicants must also submit police clearance certificates along with their tax and social security records. The affected Nepalis were caught in a transitional phase before Nepal established its embassy in Portugal.

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We spent hundreds of thousands of rupees to reach Portugal and found ourselves in a legal situation we never imagined. We were victims of fraud. Thanks to the embassy’s efforts, we can now remain in Portugal and apply for residency. Some of our friends have already started receiving approvals.