NEW: Portugal HQA Research Residency Program 2024
Not comfortable investing €500,000 in a VC or Private Equity Fund to get your Portuguese Golden Visa?
By funding research and contributing to scientific or technological advancement in Portugal, you could unlock a world of optionality and possibility with our proprietary D3 Residency Program for Highly Qualified Activities (better known as the HQA Residency Program).
Legal Basis: Article 61 of REPSAE, Portugal’s Immigration Act
Discover just a few of the reasons more prospective Golden Visa applicants are choosing the HQA Research Residency program instead…
Lower capital outlay than a Golden Visa (€150K vs €500K)
Priority residency visa type = faster application approvals
Clear path to Portuguese Permanent Residency and Citizenship
Enjoy potential tax advantages under the new NHR Program
Builds a verifiable paper trail of your real world ties to Portugal
To request the updated program brochure featuring the latest new program options, contact us now.
Why Choose The HQA Residency Program?
Important: Given the “highly qualified” nature of the research projects serving as the basis for the HQA Residency, this program is best suited to applicants who hold a university degree (although there are exceptions)…
Priced at only €180,000 (inclusive of fees and program sundries), the HQA Residency is THE most affordable alternative to Portugal’s Golden Visa in 2024.
Rather than locking up €500,000 for 6+ years and trying to navigate the risks that are inherent in Venture Capital and Private Equity ventures, you can tick the majority of the same boxes with the HQA Residency Program as you could with the Portuguese Golden Visa (more on that below).
Featuring an all-inclusive pricing structure, the HQA program is even more affordable than the Cultural Golden Visa* (priced from €250,000 excluding service provider and legal fees). In addition, our Highly Qualified Program features a “no-win, no fee” clause at the initial Temporary Residency stage, offering clients unrivalled peace of mind.
Moreover, thanks to the highly qualified nature of our HQA Residency projects, the valuable socio-economic impact of this residency program is indisputable.
This fact helps safeguard the HQA Residency program against many of the criticisms levelled at the earlier Real Estate based Golden Visa options, which populist politicians disingenuously blamed for the current housing shortages in the country.
*As with the HQA Program, the Cultural Heritage Preservation Golden Visa involves making a non-refundable capital contribution (i.e. it’s a donation. However, it has been virtually impossible to obtain any government approved Cultural Golden Visa projects opportunities under this option during 2023 and the first quarter of 2024…
Fortunately, the €500,000 Job Creation Golden Visa – featuring an asset backed investment – is a viable alternative to applicants averse to the idea of a VC or PE fund investment.
Let’s take a look at how the HQA Residency – which falls into the D3 Residency Visa category – measures up to the latest new Golden Visa investment options (classified as D9 Residency options) in 2024…
How the HQA Residency Program works…
As mentioned, the program is exceptionally well suited to applicants who hold a recognized university degrees – or, alternatively, applicants who have extensive experience in highly skilled areas such as technology, computing, blockchain, renewables, artificial intelligence, etc.
STEM oriented degree holders comprise the lion’s share of HQA applicants, hailing from countries like the US, UK, Canada, South Africa, India and China.
In order to be eligible to apply for the HQA residency, applicants will have to contribute to a so-called highly qualified research project in a field such as renewable energy, sustainable building technologies, robotics, 3D printing, bioagriculture, water and sewage treatment, cultural production (i.e. film technology and research), etc.
Based on your unique skills and qualifications, you will contribute to shaping the research hypothesis and project focus, effectively playing a co-authorship role in the process.
Our team can assist with matching your CV, skills and experience with a suitable research project.
This path to residency involves making a non-refundable contribution towards a research project overseen by either a Portuguese university or other public research organization, with a so-called Letter Of Support from the host institution being the key piece of the eligibility puzzle.
While a high-level of involvement is required from each HQA applicant, this is a done-for-you, concierge type program.
Given that the HQA Residency falls into a priority visa category, HQA Residency visa applications are typically processed far more swiftly than Golden Visa applications.
As with the Golden Visa, the initial HQA Residency Permit is valid for a period of 2 years, after which it is renewable for an additional 3 years. After the first 5 years, applicants who can also meet the program’s language proficiency and minimum stay requirements become eligible to apply for Permanent Residency, and Portuguese citizenship, thereafter.
As HQA applicant you can use your own preferred immigration law firm to assist with the the residency application process itself, or we’ll be happy to introduce you to our preferred local legal suppliers.
Portugal’s Latest New Golden Visa Options Compared (2024)
| Key Program Considerations | HQA Research Residency (D3 Visa) Fee/Sunk Cost |
Artistic Production Golden Visa (D9 Visa) Donation |
VC/PE Fund Golden Visa (D9 Visa) Investment |
Job Creation Golden Visa (D9 Visa) Investment |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Capital Outlay | €150K | €250K (€200K NUTS III) | €500K | €500K | |
| Contribution Type | Fee – Sunk Cost | Donation (Typically) | Investment | Investment | |
| Minimum Hold Period | N/A – Sunk Cost | N/A | 5 Years+ | 5 Years+ | |
| Capital Guarantee | N/A | N/A | Some underwritten fund options exist | Some options exist | |
| Family Eligible | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| Path To PR and Citizenship | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| Basic Portuguese Proficiency Required For Citizenship | Yes – Level A2 | Yes – Level A2 | Yes – Level A2 | Yes – Level A2 | |
| Governmental Approval Step Before Capital Is Committed | No | Yes | No | No | |
| Minimum In-Country Presence Requirements | Flexible, based on the in-country stay exceptions rule. period of residence. | 7 Days per year (on average): 7 days during Year 1. 14 days during each subsequent 2-year period of residence. |
7 Days per year (on average): 7 days during Year 1. 14 days during each subsequent 2-year period of residence. |
7 Days per year (on average): 7 days during Year 1. 14 days during each subsequent 2-year period of residence. |
Why Choose To Work With Us?
Pioneers of the Artistic Production Golden Visa AND the €400K Rural Job Creation Golden Visa
We have THE most affordable Portuguese Residency By Investment product suite
A seasoned team of Portugal Golden Visa experts based in Porto, Obidos and Belmonte
We offer a choice of investment (asset backed), donation, and fee-based options
Extensive experience in serving the needs of British, American and Canadian applicants
Many of us are émigrés, and hence understand the exact challenges you may encounter.
JOSE MINEIRO, VISADORO FOUNDER & CEO
About Mr Jose Mineiro
Secure Your Portugal Job Creation Golden Visa For Less in 2024. Contact Us Now To Get Your Application Started
VISADORO GOLDEN VISA:
BELMONTE OFFICE
ADDRESS:Rua Fernão de Magalhães, 122, 4425-709, Maia
PHONE: +351 918 196 577
EMAIL: hello@visadoro.com
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