WhatsApp quoteIf you qualify for the Scientist & Researcher Golden Visa, you can sponsor your spouse, children of any age and parents, and employ unlimited domestic workers. The Scientist & Researcher Golden Visa has become one of the most sought-after residency options in the world, and the criteria are clear once you know which authority approves your category. As we tell every client, portugal and the UAE have strengthened ties through tourism, aviation and renewable energy investment, which gives Portuguese entrepreneurs a ready market and supply chain the moment their Scientist & Researcher Golden Visa licence is granted. To be clear, the most common businesses Portuguese nationals open through GoldenKey are in technology, hospitality, engineering and renewable energy, although Scientist & Researcher Golden Visa supports almost any activity.
Why Scientist & Researcher Golden Visa
From day one, eligibility for the Scientist & Researcher Golden Visa requires PhD or master's degree in engineering, technology, life sciences or natural sciences. Benefits of the Scientist & Researcher Golden Visa include 10-year residency, family sponsorship and access to UAE research funding programmes. GoldenKey has prepared Scientist & Researcher Golden Visa files for Portuguese clients in technology, hospitality, engineering and renewable energy, which means we know which Portugal documents need attestation and which can be submitted as plain copies.
How Scientist & Researcher Golden Visa works with GoldenKey
Step 1Eligibility assessment
GoldenKey reviews your papers against the Scientist & Researcher Golden Visa criteria and tells you plainly whether you qualify now or what would make you eligible.
Step 2Nomination or approval letter
GoldenKey obtains the category-specific approval letter from the competent authority for the Scientist & Researcher Golden Visa. For the Scientist & Researcher Golden Visa for Portuguese nationals this step rarely needs your presence; scans and e-signatures are enough.
Step 3Application and medical
The visa application is filed with ICP or GDRFA, you complete the medical fitness test and Emirates ID biometrics.
Step 4Stamping and family
To be clear, your 10-year Scientist & Researcher Golden Visa is stamped and we then process residence visas for your spouse, children and parents under your sponsorship. Expect clear updates from your GoldenKey consultant while this step runs for the Scientist & Researcher Golden Visa for Portuguese nationals.
Documents required
In our experience, gather these paperwork and GoldenKey will take care of the rest of the Scientist & Researcher Golden Visa for Portuguese nationals.
- Educational certificates attested by the Portugal authorities and the UAE embassy, for professional activities
- Research publications list
- A police clearance certificate from Portugal if the activity or the Golden Visa category requires it
- Medical fitness certificate
- Recommendation letter
- A passport issued by Portugal with at least six months' validity
Pricing
The figures below for the Scientist & Researcher Golden Visa for Portuguese nationals are updated by GoldenKey whenever the authority changes its fees, so the price you see is the current one. Pricing for the Scientist & Researcher Golden Visa for Portuguese nationals depends on the package you choose; every option below includes GoldenKey's service and the government fees stated.
| GoldenKey service fee | AED 10,000 |
|---|---|
| Government fees (approx.) | AED 5,000 |
| Approximate total | AED 15,000 |
Prices are indicative, in AED, exclusive of 5% VAT where applicable, and confirmed in writing before payment. Last updated 2026-10-07.
Why the UAE
There are no restrictions on repatriating profits or capital, so earnings from the Scientist & Researcher Golden Visa for Portuguese nationals can be moved to your home country or reinvested freely. English is the working language of business, contracts are routinely drafted in English, and government portals are bilingual, which simplifies the Scientist & Researcher Golden Visa for Portuguese nationals for international business owners.
Why GoldenKey
GoldenKey builds its own CRM and client portal, so you can see the status of your Scientist & Researcher Golden Visa application, download your paperwork and pay invoices from your phone. GoldenKey's consultants have handled the Scientist & Researcher Golden Visa for Portuguese nationals for traders, consultants, tech founders and family offices, which gives us a realistic view of what each authority approves promptly. Put simply, most of our Scientist & Researcher Golden Visa customers come to us through referrals from other entrepreneurs, and that is why we take pride in keeping every promise we put in writing.
To be clear, tell us about your plans for the Scientist & Researcher Golden Visa for Portuguese nationals and GoldenKey will come back to you shortly with a clear price, a document checklist and a realistic timeline.
Frequently asked questions
What does the Scientist & Researcher Golden Visa cost in total?
On the ground, government fees and GoldenKey's service fee are shown in the pricing section on this page and confirmed in writing before we start.
Do I need to live in the UAE to keep the Scientist & Researcher Golden Visa?
No minimum stay applies. Golden Visa holders can remain outside the UAE for more than six months without the visa being cancelled.
Can I work or run a business on the Scientist & Researcher Golden Visa?
Yes. Golden Visa holders can own companies, work for employers and operate as freelancers without a separate sponsor.
Can a Portuguese citizen own 100% of a company in Scientist & Researcher Golden Visa?
Yes. Portuguese nationals can own the full share capital of a Scientist & Researcher Golden Visa company with no local partner, exactly like any other nationality.
Do Portuguese nationals need a UAE visa before applying for Scientist & Researcher Golden Visa?
No. You can apply for the licence from Portugal with scanned papers, and the investor residence visa is handled afterwards.
