The skills and attributes of researchers at risk carry significant research potential for hosting countries in Europe. However, even where temporary employment offers are made at European host institutions, many researchers at risk struggle to obtain visas and work permits within the urgent timeframe required. This paper proposes the formal adoption and wider implementation of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between higher education institutions and the State Authorities responsible for Migration Policy (eg. Ministries, Secretariats, Regional Authorities) as a key mechanism to facilitate the legal entry, residence, employment, and integration of researchers at risk. The implementation of such a mechanism across Europe would allow European higher education institutions to swiftly employ talented third-country researchers, whilst also providing an essential refuge for researchers to continue their important work. Drawing on the existing precedent set by the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (AUTh)—as the Chair of the Scholars at Risk (SAR) Greece Section—this policy recommends replication of this cooperative model to promote academic freedom and human rights-based migration policy in Greece and beyond.