Portugal
Highly Qualified Activity Visa (HQA)
The Portugal Highly Qualified Activity Visa (HQA) is designed to attract exceptional talent in science, technology, and innovation to Portugal. This initiative aims to drive economic growth, foster innovation, and create job opportunities by offering a streamlined residency pathway for highly qualified professionals, investors, researchers, and entrepreneurs.
Portugal Highly Qualified Activity Visa
The Portugal HQA Visa grants the right to live, work, and study in Portugal, with no obligation to reside full-time. It includes dependents and offers visa-free travel across the Schengen Area. With minimal stay requirements, no language test, and fast processing, you gain access to public healthcare and education. After 5 years, you may apply for citizenship or permanent residency and enjoy full EU benefits.
- Population: Over 10 million inhabitants
- Languages: Portuguese
- Economy: Mixed economy with strong services, tourism, and agriculture sectors
- Currency: Euro (EUR)
- Visa-Free Travel: 187 countries.
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Advantage
- Residency Rights: Right to live, work, and study in Portugal.
- Dependents: Includes spouse or de facto partner, children (over 18 must be single, studying, and financially dependent on the main applicant), and parents (under 65 must be financially dependent on the main applicant).
- Visa Duration: An initial 2-year visa is granted, followed by a 3-year renewal, providing a total of 5 years of residence for the main applicant and eligible dependents.
- Visa-free travel throughout Europe’s Schengen Area.
- Public Services: Access to free public education and healthcare for residents.
- Physical Presence: Minimal physical presence requirement.
- No language requirement.
- Processing Time: Fast application processing.
- Opportunity to apply for citizenship within 5 years (subject to additional requirements).
Requirements
- Age Requirement: Must be over 18 years of age.
- Criminal Record: Must have a clean criminal record.
- Business Commitment: Create, fund, and implement a new venture with a local Portuguese university.
- Documentation: Submit all required documents.
- Additional Costs: Payment of all applicable additional costs.
Investment
- Investment Amount: EUR 42,000 investment into a new business venture.
- Business Collaboration: Venture designed in collaboration with a local Portuguese university or business incubator, based on the applicant’s professional background.
- Applicant Involvement: Applicant contributes to business design, structuring, and offers insight to the business team.
Process (3 to 4 months)
- Due Diligence: KYC and background checks conducted.
- Business Creation: Development of business venture with a local Portuguese university or business incubator.
- Application Submission: Formal application submitted to authorities.
- Biometrics: Applicant visits AIMA (Portuguese immigration) for biometrics.
- Residence Permit: Initial residence permit granted for 2 years.
- Family Reunification: Eligible dependents apply (approval in approx. 3–4 months).
- Renewal: After 2 years, residence permit is renewed for an additional 3 years.