🇦🇩AndorraAndorra Residence for Scientific, Cultural or Sporting Interest | €2,500 | 60 days | — | — | — | - Work: Activity tied to the recognised scientific, cultural or sporting field; may employ at most one worker.
- Study: Holder and dependants may study in Andorra.
- Residency: Renews 2+2+3 then 10-year blocks; counts toward the 20 years for naturalisation.
- Family: Dependants included with an additional per-person AFA deposit.
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🇦🇺AustraliaNational Innovation visa (subclass 858) | A$4,985 | — | — | — | On grant | - Work: Work permanently anywhere in Australia
- Study: Study without restriction
- Residency: Permanent residence from grant
- Family: Family included in application
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🇦🇹AustriaSettlement Permit – Researcher | €218 | 56 days | — | — | 5 years | - Work: Tied to certified host research facility
- Study: Research/academic activity permitted
- Residency after 5 years
- Family: Family get RWR Card plus; spouse can work
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| €218 | — | — | — | 5 years | - Work: Artistic work, dependent or self-employed
- Residency after 5 years
- Family: Family settlement permit; spouse needs own permit to work
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🇦🇿AzerbaijanAzerbaijan TRP for Highly Qualified Specialists | — | — | — | — | 2 years | - Work: Residence on this ground; paid labour activity still requires a work permit unless statutorily exempt.
- Study: Lawful residence permits study.
- Residency after 2 years
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🇧🇭BahrainBahrain Golden Residency - Talented Individuals | BHD 305 | 10 days | — | — | — | - Work: May reside and seek work; a separate LMRA work permit is needed for employment.
- Study: Permitted.
- Residency: 10-year permit, indefinitely renewable while criteria are met; committee approval required.
- Family: Can sponsor spouse, children and parents with no age limit.
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🇧🇭BahrainBahrain Golden Residency - Long-Serving Professional | BHD 305 | 5 days | BHD 2,000 | — | — | - Work: May reside and seek work, but a separate LMRA work permit is needed to be employed.
- Study: Permitted.
- Residency: 10-year permit, indefinitely renewable while criteria are met; functions as long-term residence.
- Family: Can sponsor spouse, children and parents with no age limit (same fees per dependant).
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🇧🇧BarbadosBarbados Special Entry & Residence Permit - Special Skills (Category 3) | — | — | — | — | 5 years | - Work: Permitted to apply the special skills; an accompanying work permit may be required for employment.
- Study: Lawful long-term residence permits study.
- Residency after 5 years
- Family: Spouse and dependants may be included with USD 150 application fee each.
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🇧🇪BelgiumBelgium Researcher Permit (Hosting Agreement) | €152 | 120 days | — | — | 5 years | - Work: Authorised for the research project; may also teach. Intra-EU mobility allowed.
- Study: Research and associated study permitted.
- Residency after 5 years
- Family: Family admitted with facilitated reunification.
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🇧🇼BotswanaBotswana Exemption Certificate (in lieu of Permits) | — | — | — | — | 5 years | - Work: Where granted, the exemption certificate authorises the approved activity in place of a separate work permit.
- Residency after 5 years
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🇧🇷BrazilBrazil Research/Teaching Visa (VITEM I) | — | — | — | — | 4 years | - Work: Research/teaching activity
- Study: Academic activity permitted
- Residency after 4 years
- Family: Family reunion allowed
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🇧🇬BulgariaBulgaria Researcher Residence Permit (Hosting Agreement) | €100 | 30 days | — | — | 5 years | - Work: Research activity under the hosting agreement; no separate work permit required.
- Study: Research and incidental study permitted.
- Residency after 5 years
- Family: Family reunification available to researchers.
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🇨🇻Cabo VerdeCabo Verde Temporary Residence for Highly Qualified Activity | — | — | — | — | 5 years | - Work: Authorises the highly qualified teaching or research activity.
- Study: Lawful residence permits study alongside the activity.
- Residency after 5 years
- Family: Family members can join via family reunification.
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🇨🇦CanadaCanada Global Talent Stream Work Permit | CA$155 | 14 days | — | — | — | - Work: Employer-tied work permit
- Residency: Route to PR via Express Entry
- Family: Spouse open work permit; children included
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🇨🇳ChinaChina R High-Level Talent Visa | $140 | 4 days | — | 180 days | 4 years | - Work: Employment permitted after conversion to a Category A work permit and residence permit.
- Study: Academic and research activity permitted within the talent role.
- Residency after 4 years
- Family: Spouse and minor children may obtain accompanying S2 visas with matching validity.
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🇨🇳ChinaChina K Visa for Young Science and Technology Talent | $140 | 4 days | — | — | — | - Work: Permits education, science-and-technology exchange, entrepreneurial and business activities; specific employment rules set by authorities.
- Study: Educational and academic exchange activities are permitted.
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🇩🇰DenmarkDenmark Researcher Residence and Work Permit | DKK 6,810 | 30 days | — | — | 8 years | - Work: Work as a researcher (incl. teaching) for the named institution.
- Study: Research/PhD activity is the basis of the permit.
- Residency after 8 years
- Family: Spouse/partner and children under 18 may accompany.
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🇪🇨EcuadorEcuador Temporary Residence Visa - Scientist, Researcher or Academic | $450 | 30 days | — | — | 2 years | - Work: Holder may carry out the scientific/research/academic activity with the host institution.
- Study: Residents may enrol in study.
- Residency after 2 years
- Family: Dependants under amparo category; +USD 250/month income per dependant.
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🇫🇷FranceFrance Talent Card - Qualified Employee | €99 | — | €3,298.50 | — | 5 years | - Work: Full-time qualified role
- Study: Study permitted
- Residency after 5 years
- Family: Talent-Famille; spouse may work
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🇫🇷FranceFrance Talent Card - Researcher (Chercheur) | €99 | — | €2,200 | — | 5 years | - Work: Research/teaching under hosting agreement
- Study: Study permitted
- Residency after 5 years
- Family: Talent-Famille; spouse may work
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| GEL 500 | 75 days | — | — | 6 years | - Work: IT employment / IT business activity
- Study: May enroll in study programs
- Residency after 6 years
- Family: Spouse and minor children included
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| €75 | — | — | — | 3 years | - Work: Full-time research, host-tied
- Study: Research is the purpose
- Residency after 3 years
- Family: Family may join; spouse may work
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🇬🇷GreeceGreece Talent Visa (Job-Search for Highly Educated) | — | — | — | 365 days | 5 years | - Work: Job-search; work allowed once employed
- Study: Study permitted
- Residency after 5 years
- Family: Spouse & children included
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🇬🇹GuatemalaGuatemala Temporary Residence - Intellectuals, Researchers and Scientists | $200 | — | — | — | 5 years | - Work: Work limited to the contracted research/academic activity.
- Study: Residents may study.
- Residency after 5 years
- Family: Dependants admitted under Art. 27.
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🇬🇹GuatemalaGuatemala Temporary Residence - Athletes and Artists | $200 | — | — | — | 5 years | - Work: Work limited to the approved sporting or artistic engagement.
- Study: Residents may study.
- Residency after 5 years
- Family: Dependants admitted under Art. 27.
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🇭🇰Hong KongHong Kong Quality Migrant Admission Scheme (QMAS) | HK$600 | — | — | — | 7 years | - Work: May take or change employment, or run a business, without sector restriction.
- Study: Holder and dependants may study.
- Residency after 7 years
- Family: Spouse/civil partner and unmarried children under 18 may join; stay linked to sponsor.
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🇭🇰Hong KongHong Kong Top Talent Pass Scheme (TTPS) | HK$600 | 28 days | — | — | 7 years | - Work: No job offer needed; free to take and change employment or run a business.
- Study: Holder and dependants may study.
- Residency after 7 years
- Family: Dependants enjoy unrestricted work and study rights.
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| HUF 26,000 | 70 days | — | — | 3 years | - Work: Highly-qualified employment
- Study: Study permitted
- Residency after 3 years
- Family: Family reunification allowed
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🇮🇸IcelandIceland Residence Permit for Athletes | ISK 80,000 | — | — | — | — | - Work: Athletic/coaching work for the contracting club only.
- Study: Study possible alongside the permit.
- Family: Supports reunification for spouse/partner, children under 18 and parents 67+.
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| — | 30 days | — | — | — | - Study: Research at the affiliated institution; degree PhDs use a Student Visa.
- Family: Dependants may obtain a dependent Entry (X) Visa.
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🇮🇱IsraelIsrael High-Tech Visa (HIT) | ₪1,420 | 10 days | ₪23,460 | — | — | - Work: Fast-track high-tech work
- Family: Spouse can get work visa, any employer
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🇯🇵JapanJapan Highly Skilled Professional (HSP) Visa | ¥3,000 | 60 days | — | — | 1 year | - Work: Highly skilled; full-time
- Study: Study allowed alongside work
- Residency after 1 year
- Family: Spouse, children, parents + helper possible
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🇯🇴JordanJordan Skilled / Specialised Worker Permit | — | 30 days | — | — | — | - Work: Authorised for the sponsoring employer in the specialised role.
- Residency: Annual renewals; no fixed statutory PR timeline.
- Family: Dependants on follower/family residence permits.
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🇰🇿KazakhstanKazakhstan In-Demand Professions / Permanent Residence Visa (B9) | $200 | 5 days | — | — | 5 years | - Work: Designed to give qualified professionals access to the local labour market.
- Residency after 5 years
- Family: Family members may obtain accompanying visas.
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🇰🇿KazakhstanKazakhstan Digital Nomad Residency Visa (B9-1) for IT Specialists | $200 | 5 days | — | — | 5 years | - Work: Supports IT-sector activity and entry to the local labour market via the petitioning body.
- Residency after 5 years
- Family: Family members may accompany; confirm dependent visas with the migration service.
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🇽🇰KosovoKosovo Temporary Residence Permit – Scientific Research | — | 30 days | — | 365 days | 5 years | - Work: Authorises the research activity at the hosting institution under the agreement.
- Study: Permits the research programme; formal enrolment for a degree falls under the education ground.
- Residency after 5 years
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🇱🇦LaosLaos Expert / Specialist Visa (E-B2) | — | 8 days | — | — | — | — |
🇱🇹LithuaniaLithuania Researcher Temporary Residence Permit | €160 | 90 days | — | — | 5 years | - Work: Research and teaching without a separate work permit.
- Study: May teach and pursue further study alongside research.
- Residency after 5 years
- Family: Immediate family reunification; family members may work.
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🇱🇺LuxembourgLuxembourg Residence Permit for Third-Country Researchers | €80 | 60 days | €3,325.59 | — | 5 years | - Work: Research work for the hosting institute; some teaching permitted.
- Study: Research and related study permitted.
- Residency after 5 years
- Family: Facilitated family reunification for researchers.
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🇲🇴MacaoMacao Talent Recruitment Residence (Qualified Professionals) | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| — | — | MYR 15,000 | — | — | - Work: Work for any employer; spouse may work
- Study: Holder + children may study
- Residency: 10-yr pass; PR discretionary
- Family: Spouse can work; children included
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🇲🇺MauritiusMauritius Young Professional Occupation Permit | — | 30 days | MUR 25,000 | — | — | - Work: Tied to the employer; convertible to Professional OP
- Study: May continue studying as a resident
- Residency: Path via conversion to Professional OP then PR
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🇲🇪MontenegroMontenegro Temporary Residence for Scientific Research | — | 40 days | — | — | 5 years | - Work: Authorises the research activity at the host organisation.
- Study: Permits the research and associated academic work.
- Residency after 5 years
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| €254 | 60 days | — | — | 5 years | - Work: up to 40 h/week
- Study: Study allowed alongside research
- Residency after 5 years
- Family: Family included; family may not work
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🇳🇬NigeriaNigeria Highly Skilled Immigrant Visa (Permanent Residence) | — | — | — | — | — | - Work: Permanent-residence status with work rights for highly skilled professionals.
- Study: Residence permits study.
- Residency: This is permanent residence; citizenship may be sought after meeting statutory criteria.
- Family: Dependants covered under the related spouse/dependant permanent-residence subtypes.
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| €70 | 30 days | — | — | 5 years | - Work: Permits the research activity for which residence is granted.
- Study: Lawful residence permits associated study and training.
- Residency after 5 years
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🇳🇴NorwayNorway Residence Permit for Researcher with Own Funds | NOK 6,300 | — | NOK 170,368 | — | — | - Work: Activity limited to the research that founds the permit; no Norwegian employer.
- Study: The permit covers research activity at the host institution.
- Family: Spouse/cohabitant and children may usually apply to live in Norway.
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🇵🇪PeruPeru Researcher Migratory Status (Calidad Migratoria Investigacion Residente) | PEN 58.80 | 30 days | — | — | 3 years | - Work: Authorised for any income-generating activity, dependent or independent, in public or private sector.
- Study: May carry out research and related study activities.
- Residency after 3 years
- Family: Family members apply separately under Familiar Residente status.
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🇶🇦QatarQatar Mustaqel Talent Visa (5-Year Residency) | QAR 4,000 | — | — | — | — | - Work: Self-sponsored; work independently
- Study: Residency permits study
- Residency: 5-yr renewable residency
- Family: Sponsor family to Qatar
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🇷🇴RomaniaRomania Long-Stay Visa for Scientific Research (D/CS) | €300 | 30 days | — | — | 5 years | - Work: Research activity under the hosting agreement; researchers may also teach.
- Study: Associated academic activity permitted.
- Residency after 5 years
- Family: Researchers benefit from facilitated family reunification.
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| SAR 4,000 | — | — | — | — | - Work: Self-sponsored; may work & own business
- Study: Full access; no restrictions
- Residency: Premium Residency; renewable/permanent
- Family: Spouse, children & parents included
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| SAR 4,000 | — | — | — | — | - Work: Self-sponsored; may work & own business
- Study: Full access; no restrictions
- Residency: Premium Residency; renewable/permanent
- Family: Spouse, children & parents included
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🇷🇸SerbiaSerbia Temporary Residence for Talent / Highly Qualified Foreign Citizens | — | 15 days | — | — | 3 years | - Work: Authorised to work in the qualified profession.
- Study: May study alongside the activity.
- Residency after 3 years
- Family: Family join via family reunification.
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🇸🇬SingaporeSingapore Overseas Networks & Expertise Pass (ONE Pass) | SGD 105 | 28 days | SGD 30,000 | — | — | - Work: Work multiple concurrent employers
- Residency: May apply for PR after ~2 yrs
- Family: Dependant's Pass for spouse & children
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🇸🇬SingaporeSingapore Personalised Employment Pass (PEP) | SGD 105 | 42 days | SGD 22,500 | — | — | - Work: Not tied to an employer
- Residency: May apply for PR after ~2 yrs
- Family: Dependant's Pass for spouse & children
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| — | — | SGD 22,500 | — | — | - Work: Flexible, not employer-tied
- Residency: May apply for PR after ~2 yrs
- Family: Dependant's Pass for spouse & children
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🇸🇰SlovakiaSlovakia Temporary Residence for Research and Development | €4.50 | 90 days | — | — | 5 years | - Work: Research activity under the hosting agreement; teaching allowed.
- Study: Study permitted alongside research.
- Residency after 5 years
- Family: Family may join and access the labour market.
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🇸🇮SloveniaSlovenia Temporary Residence Permit in the Interest of the Country | €102 | — | — | — | 5 years | - Work: Scope of activity follows the stated national interest; may include work.
- Study: Study/research permitted where it serves the stated interest.
- Residency after 5 years
- Family: Family reunification possible under the general rules.
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| — | 60 days | — | — | On grant | - Work: Work in the listed critical-skills occupation
- Residency: Direct PR category with a qualifying job offer
- Family: Family apply for accompanying visas
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| — | — | — | — | 5 years | - Work: Work as professor/researcher
- Study: Study allowed alongside role
- Residency after 5 years
- Family: Spouse & children via F-3
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🇸🇪SwedenSweden Residence Permit for Researchers | SEK 1,500 | 30 days | SEK 9,700 | — | 4 years | - Work: Research work with the host; at least 50% of time must be research.
- Study: May study alongside the research activity.
- Residency after 4 years
- Family: Spouse/partner and children under 18 may join and work.
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🇹🇼TaiwanTaiwan Employment Gold Card | NT$3,700 | 60 days | NT$160,000 | — | 3 years | - Work: Open work rights: no employer sponsor, free to change jobs and take part-time work.
- Study: May enrol in study while resident.
- Residency after 3 years
- Family: Spouse and unmarried minor children join on dependent ARCs; lineal ascendants may visit on extended visitor visas.
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🇹🇭ThailandThailand LTR Visa - Highly-Skilled Professional | THB 50,000 | 60 days | — | — | — | - Work: Thai target-industry employer; digital permit
- Study: Study permitted during 10-yr stay
- Family: Up to 4 LTR dependents (children <20)
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🇹🇷TürkiyeTurkey Turquoise Card (Turkuaz Kart) | — | — | — | — | — | - Work: Indefinite work right
- Study: Study allowed
- Residency: Permanent work right; path to citizenship
- Family: Spouse & dependent children get residence doc
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| AED 1,100 | 5 days | — | — | — | - Work: Work without employer sponsorship
- Study: May live, work or study
- Residency: 10-yr renewable Golden residence; no PR
- Family: Sponsors spouse, children, parents
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| £766 | 21 days | — | — | 3 years | - Work: Free to work, no sponsor
- Study: Study allowed
- Residency after 3 years
- Family: Dependants allowed
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| £880 | 21 days | — | — | — | - Work: Free to work, no sponsor
- Study: Only non-Student-eligible courses
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| $205 | — | — | — | — | - Work: Employer/petitioner-tied
- Study: May study while maintaining status
- Residency: Dual intent; route to green card (EB-1)
- Family: O-3 dependents cannot work
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| $715 | — | — | — | On grant | - Work: Unrestricted work as LPR
- Study: May study freely as LPR
- Residency: Immigrant visa to Green Card (permanent)
- Family: Spouse and children get green cards
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| — | — | $30,000 | — | — | — |
| — | — | — | — | — | - Work: Work limited to the sponsored specialist assignment.
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🇻🇳VietnamVietnam Special Visa Exemption Card (5-Year Talent Visa) | — | — | — | 90 days | — | - Work: Work allowed; permit still required
- Study: Permitted
- Family: Spouse+children of Viet citizen incl.
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