Portugal HQA Visa Program
Empowered Startups is the only Government of Portugal endorsed partner for the HQA Visa. This innovative program is one of the fastest residency programs available in the European Union, with processing in as little as 90 days.
Portugal’s Prime Minister Luís Montenegro shakes hands with Empowered Startups' President Chris Lennon.
Endorsed by the Government of Portugal
In February 2023, the Portuguese government officially endorsed Empowered Startups and its HQA Visa program. The HQA Visa allows accomplished professionals and investors to balance the competing demands of running their existing businesses internationally while seeding an option on their future in the European Union.
Under authority of the Government of Portugal, Empowered Startups administrates and controls selection for the HQA Visa. The program was co-created with top R&D institutions in Portugal as a superior investment migration opportunity to the Golden Visa program.
The Benefits of the HQA Visa
- The HQA Visa is a fast-track path to EU residency and Portuguese Citizenship.
- Family included – all immediate family members.
- Extremely fast processing at AIMA (formerly SEF) as a government-endorsed program.
- No burdensome residency requirements for qualified candidates.
- Significant tax benefits
- No business performance requirements.
- Concierge white glove service: Full-service immigration, business incubation, and corporate legal services provided.
- Dedicated Portuguese team to assist you in navigating Portugal.
![We look at you [Empowered Startups] as a close friend and partner [of Portugal].](https://empoweredstartups.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/square-chris-minister-shaking-hands.webp)
We look at you [Empowered Startups] as a close friend and partner [of Portugal].
DR. ANA ABRUNHOSA
SPEAKING AS PORTUGAL’S MINISTER OF TERRITORIAL COHESION
ON FEBRUARY 8, 2023
How the HQA Visa Program Works
Empowered Startups has been asked by the Portuguese government to vet, invite and concierge qualified professionals to invest in R&D projects within our trusted network of Portuguese University partners.
Founders invited to join the program also launch a new Portuguese business to commercialize R&D outcomes with the guidance of Empowered Startups’ expert business incubator.
As a trusted government partner, Empowered Startups’ clients have a fast and confident path to Portuguese residency and citizenship that otherwise is unattainable.
Your startup could join the quickly growing list of companies founded in Portugal through the HQA® Visa Program.
Eligibility
REQUEST A BROCHURE
To qualify for the HQA Visa program, the applicant must fit the following criteria:
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Have a proven record of professional accomplishment
- Demonstrate the ability to provide strategic direction to an innovative venture with the potential for significant growth
- Substantiate the funds necessary for admission into the program
World-Class Resources for Your R&D
One of the requirements of the HQA Visa program is making an investment in research and development activities that can be used to support your new venture at one of Portugal’s universities.
We have relationships with more than 15 universities and polytechnics in the interior regions of Portugal to best pair you with the facility that specializes in your area of research.
Best-in-Class Business Immigration in Europe
Empowered Startups’ HQA VISA PROGRAM is the only program for businesspeople, investors, entrepreneurs, and SME’s looking to obtain fast-tracked priority residency in Portugal while also having exceptions to in country stay requirements. Endorsed by the Portuguese government, Empowered Startups has been trusted to find talent and skill to bring to Portugal through investing in innovative R&D and launching commercialization opportunity.
Have a Look At Our
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Dr Jessica Boyatt HQA Testimonial
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HQA Visa Program supports Research in Portugal
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Hear From The Experts: Portugal’s HQA Visa
Learn more about how exactly the HQA Visa works from Portuguese immigration lawyer Joana Ferreira Reis
How exactly do the R&D and business startup requirements work for the HQA Visa?
Frequently
Asked Questions
The card is typically sent to the address of the client’s company unless they instead give a residential address.
Even though the current time frame to issue residency permits is 4-6 weeks (about 1 and a half months), on AIMA’s website it indicates that their standard window of issuing permits is 30 –90 days (about 3 months)
Family reunification applications, as of January 2023, can be added to the principal applicant’s file from the very beginning. There may be a short gap between issuance of residence permits for the principal applicant and their family members.
Using Joana Reis law firm for family reunification, the cost per family member/dependent added to the principal applicant’s file is ~€2,500. This covers the initial visa, residency permit application, and residency permit renewals in year 2.
Are you working with a licensed HQA® Recruiter?
The HQA® Visa Program is a program developed and delivered exclusively by Empowered Startups. The only parties authorized to promote and pre-qualify candidates for the HQA® Visa Program are Empowered Startups and its licensed HQA® Recruiters. Don’t be fooled by unauthorized recruiters promoting a counterfeit program claiming to be the HQA® Visa Program.
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