About Amir
I grew up in Mumbai and studied International Relations at the University of Mumbai. My first encounter with Portugal's education system came in 2019 when I was helping a friend's cousin who had just been rejected by Canada. She had good grades, decent English, and savings — but Canada said no. I started digging into alternatives and stumbled onto Portugal's vocational training route. She enrolled, got her residence card in three months, and that changed my entire career trajectory.
I moved to Lisbon in 2020 and started consulting full-time for students from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Nigeria. Since then, I have helped over 120 students navigate the entire process — from choosing the right DGERT-certified course to getting their residence card in hand. I have personally navigated the AIMA system dozens of times. I know which office is faster, which documents get questioned, which bank statements pass without issues, and which ones get flagged. That hands-on experience is something no guide can replace.
I genuinely believe Portugal is the most underrated option for international students right now. It is not just cheaper than Canada, the UK, or Australia — it offers a better quality of life, it is safer, and there is a real, documented path to EU citizenship. I tell every student the same thing: if Canada says no, Portugal says welcome.
"My worst moment was in 2022 when 3 students got rejected in the same week — all because their bank statements were from savings accounts, not checking accounts. AIMA didn't accept them. I spent 2 weeks at the bank with each student, re-doing everything. Since then, I check bank statement format on day one. That one lesson saved 50+ students from the same mistake."
Areas of Expertise
Articles by Amir
Vocational Training Residence Permit Guide
Complete guide to getting a Portugal residence permit through DGERT-certified courses.
Portugal vs Canada, UK & Australia
Side-by-side comparison of study destinations for international students.
After Your Course: 5 Legal Options
Legal pathways to stay in Portugal after finishing your vocational course.
Cost of Studying in Portugal
Full cost breakdown in EUR, INR, and USD for tuition, rent, and living.
Article 92 Explained
Deep dive into the legal basis for vocational training residence permits.
What Students Say
"Amir literally held my hand through the entire process. Got my residence card in 10 weeks."
"After UK rejected my application twice, Amir showed me the Portugal route. Best advice I ever got."
"Professional, responsive, and knows the system inside out. My family is now in Lisbon thanks to Amir."
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15-minute call to assess your eligibility and recommend the right course.
Birlay is an EU education consulting platform connecting international students with DGERT-certified vocational schools in Portugal and Spain. Founded in 2024, we have helped 200+ students from 15 countries obtain EU residence permits through vocational training.
Verify DGERT certification · Official AIMA website · Portuguese law (dre.pt)