Startup Visas Around the World
Immigration rules are subject to change, so I'll try and keep this article up to date as much as possible.
This article has last been updated: December 2019.
Our world is increasingly connected, enabling us to live and work wherever we want to, passport and visas permitting of course.
When you spend most time outside of your home country, and you’re then looking for a place to base your startup, there are a few options available to you.
The world has been observing what’s happening in Silicon Valley, and as a result countries are trying to make it attractive for startups to be based within their shores, especially in light of US visa hurdles.
This article contains a list of countries offering startup visas, programs and special economic zones directly targeted at attracting startups and entrepreneurs.
Disclaimer: Do not use this as official legal, immigration, or tax advice. Before choosing a structure for your business, including where to establish your base, seek the help of a certified professional.
There's a ton of nuance involved in migrating to another country, so use this as a resource to guide you, then inform yourself with the relevant, official authorities.
Now that's out of the way, let's begin.
Australia ๐ฆ๐บ
Name
Business Innovation and Investment (Provisional) Subclass 188 (Entrepreneur Stream)
Type
Temporary visa allowing you and your family to live and work in Australia for up to 4 years and 3 months.
High level process
Australia is a notoriously hard country to migrate to. In a nutshell you have to:
- Register an expression of interest (EOI) to apply - which is a process where the government can assess if you're even eligible to apply for immigration
- Be nominated by an Australian State or Territory government agency
- Get a funding agreement of at least A$200,000
- Get a business plan approved
If the business does well it can lead to a permanent visa.
Canada ๐จ๐ฆ
Name
Type
Permanent residency
High level process
Get investment or sponsored by a designated organisation, which involves receiving either at least C$75,000 via angel investment, or at least C$200,000 from a VC. This leads to a letter of support, which you can then use to migrate.
Cayman Islands ๐ฐ๐พ
Name
Type
Free Zone: A free zone is a special economic zone within a country, usually designed to attract businesses either via tax benefits or other incentives.
High level process
You submit all relevant forms to the free zone and if successful, you pay the fees, wait for your visas to be issued and that's it:
- 100% exemption from income tax
- 100% exemption from corporate tax
- 100% exemption from capital gains tax
- 100% foreign ownership permitted
- 100% exemption from import duties
- Five year residency granted for employees and their dependents
This isn't the same as the typical Cayman offshore company you hear about, usually frowned upon within the international community. This is a company within a free zone, where you will have to physically reside.
Chile ๐จ๐ฑ
Name
Type
A startup accelerator created by the Chilean government.
High level process
You apply to the accelerator program and if successful, you receive $18,000 - $80,000 equity free investment, depending on the exact stream you choose.
As part of the process you require a recommendation letter, which can be from a mentor, a fellow entrepreneur, a teacher, or a colleague.
Armed with the acceptance to the program and the recommendation letter, you apply for a temporary residence visa, which lasts for the duration of the program.
Denmark ๐ฉ๐ฐ
Name
Type
Temporary visa allowing you and your family to live and work in Denmark for up to 5 years.
High level process
You have to submit a business plan which is reviewed by a panel. If approved you can then apply for the visa, then launch your startup in Denmark.
Estonia ๐ช๐ช
Name
Type
Temporary visa allowing you and your family to live and work in Estonia for up to 5 years.
High level process
You have to fill in an online qualification form, giving as much information as possible. A startup committee will evaluate you, and if successful, you can apply for the visa.
Finland ๐ซ๐ฎ
Name
Type
Temporary visa allowing 2 founders to live and work in Finland for up to 2 years.
High level process
You will need an Eligibility Statement from Business Finland, who will evaluate your business plan. With that you apply to Finnish Immigration Service.
Ireland ๐ฎ๐ช
Name
Start-up Entrepreneur Programme
Type
Temporary visa allowing you and your family to live and work in Ireland for up to 5 years.
High level process
You have to submit a business plan for a "High Potential Start-up", defined as a business that will:
- Introduce a new or innovative product or service
- Have the potential to create at least 10 new jobs in Ireland within 4 years
- Have the potential to generate at least €1,000,000 in sales within 4 years
- Be based in Ireland
- Be led by experienced managers
- Have at least €75,000 of initial funding
Israel ๐ฎ๐ฑ
Name
Innovation Visas Program for Foreign Entrepreneurs
Type
Temporary visa allowing you to live and work in Israel for up to 24 months.
High level process
You apply to a landing pad, which is like an incubator. Once accepted you can apply for the visa.
Italy ๐ฎ๐น
Name
Type
Temporary visa allowing you to live and work in Italy for up to 2 years.
High level process
You can choose to apply direct or through a certified incubator. Both ways include submitting a pitch deck, where the viability of your business is assessed.
Lithuania ๐ฑ๐น
Name
Type
Temporary visa allowing you and your family to live and work in Lithuania for up to 2 years.
High level process
You submit an online application which includes providing a pitch deck. A committee will evaluate your idea and if successful, you can apply for the visa, after which you have 30 days to register your business.
Malaysia ๐ฒ๐พ
Name
Malaysia Tech Entrepreneur Programme (MTEP)
Type
Temporary visa allowing you to live and work in Malaysia for up to 1 year for new entrepreneurs, or up to 5 years with family for experienced entrepreneurs.
High level process
Along with your application you have to submit a pitch deck, financial records, a certificate of good conduct. Besides that you need to find a sponsor.
Netherlands ๐ณ๐ฑ
Name
Type
Temporary visa allowing you to live and work in the Netherlands for up to 1 year.
High level process
You need to find a facilitator, who you enter into an agreement with, that handles your application. Then you need to prove that your idea is innovative and can scale, in order to receive the visa.
New Zealand ๐ณ๐ฟ
Name
Entrepreneur Work Visa: I've heard from NZ immigration consultants, that these are becoming harder to obtain, as the government is beginning to shift their focus on the "Global Impact Visa".
Type
Entrepreneur Work Visa is a temporary visa allowing you and your family to live and work in New Zealand for up to 3 years.
Global Impact Visa is also a permanent visa.
High level process
Entrepreneur Work Visa: You will have to invest NZ$100,000 (can be waived), score 120 points on the points scale, and present a business plan. If the business does well it can lead to a permanent visa.
Global Impact Visa: First you need to be accepted to the Edmund Hillary Fellowship.
"The Edmund Hillary Fellowship (EHF) fosters humankind's creative potential from New Zealand, by supporting a community of impact entrepreneurs, investors and changemakers to build meaningful solutions to global problems."
Once you're accepted you may apply for the permanent visa, after 30 months of being part of the fellowship.
Portugal ๐ต๐น
Name
Type
Temporary visa allowing you to live and work in Portugal for up to 12 months.
High level process
You apply to an approved incubator, who will provide you with a declaration of interest. With that you can apply for the visa. You will have to proof that:
- Your project/startup is focused on tech;
- Your startup shows potential to the creation of jobs, besides the entrepreneurs you include initially, along with yourself, in your application;
- Your startup shows the potential to generate a turnover of 325,000€/ year and/or assets value over 325,000€/ year, within 5 years after the start of the contract with your chosen incubator;
- You have the capacity to establish a company, when applicable, during the undergoing of the program;
Rwanda ๐ท๐ผ
Name
W2 - Entrepreneur in Information Technology and related activities
Type
Temporary visa allowing you and your family to live and work in Rwanda for up to 3 years.
High level process
You register the company in Rwanda, then with the certificate of company registration, plus application form and other relevant documents, you apply for the visa.
Singapore ๐ธ๐ฌ
Name
EntrePass (Entrepreneur)
Type
Temporary visa allowing you and your family to live and work in Singapore for up to 2 years.
High level process
You have to register a company in Singapore, and then secure at least $100,000 from a government investment vehicle, VC or angel that is recognised by a Singapore Government agency.
Thailand ๐น๐ญ
Name
Type
Temporary visa allowing you and your family to live and work in Thailand for up to 2 years.
High level process
This visa requires you to deposit ฿600,000 in a Thai bank account. You then have one year to set up a Thailand company in one of the ten targeted industries within your first year.
United Arab Emirates ๐ฆ๐ช
Name
There are around 30 free zones in the UAE. Here are some of the major ones:
Type
Free Zone: A free zone is a special economic zone within a country, usually designed to attract businesses either via tax benefits or other incentives.
High level process
You submit all relevant forms to the free zone of your choice and if successful, you pay the fees, wait for your visas to be issued and that's it:
- 100% foreign ownership of the enterprise
- 100% import and export tax exemptions
- Visas for employees and dependents
- 100% repatriation of capital and profits
- Corporate tax exemptions for up to 50 years
- No personal income taxes
United Kingdom ๐ฌ๐ง
Name
Type
Temporary visa allowing you and your family to live and work in the UK for up to 2 years.
High level process
You need to be endorsed by an authorised body, and demonstrate that your business idea is new, innovative, and viable.
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