I’d heard so many complaints about AIMA, so I was expecting an awful experience.

I’m still not sure if I was just lucky or if the system has really changed.

I went there for my residency application. They told me to come between 8 and 10. I arrived around 8:40 and found a line of about 20–30 people. I already thought, okay, today is not the day. But within 20 minutes they let us in.

After that, I waited first in one big waiting room, then in another. When it was my turn, I showed all the documents I had already uploaded to the AIMA website. The lady checked everything, took copies, I did my biometrics, and it was done.

In total it took just 1.5 hours! Though honestly, with the crowds and queues, it felt much longer. And now it is time to wait.