Entrepreneur Visas — Complete Comparison

What entrepreneur visas are — and what they're not

An entrepreneur visa (sometimes called a startup visa, founder visa, or investor visa) is a residence permit issued to a foreign national based on their establishment or ownership of a business in the host country.

These visas are distinct from:

• Employment visas: Issued to employees working for a company; the individual is an employee, not the owner
• Golden visas: Investment-based residency programmes, usually requiring large capital investment (property, government bonds, etc.) — covered in Chapter 3
• Digital nomad visas: Remote work visas for employees or freelancers of foreign companies — covered in Chapter 2

Entrepreneur visa landscape by jurisdiction

UAE — Investor/Partner Visa

Mechanism: A UAE trade licence (free zone or mainland) entitles the licence holder to apply for an Investor or Partner visa. This is the most straightforward path to legal UAE residency through business ownership.

Requirements:

• Valid UAE trade licence (free zone or mainland)
• Minimum share capital investment — varies by free zone (many require no minimum capital but require a financial undertaking)
• No criminal record
• Medical fitness (tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS screening required)

Duration: 2–3 years (free zone), renewable

Processing: Emirates ID biometrics + medical + visa stamping at GDRFA (General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs). Typically 2–4 weeks from licence issuance.

Cost: AED 4,500–7,000 for the visa + AED 600–1,200 for medical and Emirates ID

What it provides: Full UAE residency rights — bank accounts, driving licence, family sponsorship, UAE mobile number on local plan. Not citizenship.

UAE Golden Visa (separate): 10-year visa for investors (AED 2M+ in real estate or other qualifying assets), entrepreneurs (approved by UAE authorities), and skilled specialists. Covered in Chapter 3.

UK — No Dedicated Founder Visa (post-2020)

The UK closed its Tier 1 (Entrepreneur) visa in 2019 (pre-Brexit). The current relevant routes:

Innovator Founder Visa (from April 2023):

• For founders with a genuine, innovative, viable, and scalable business idea
• Must be endorsed by an approved endorsing body (Innovate UK, various accelerators and universities)
• No minimum investment requirement
• English language requirement (B2 level)
• Sets out to demonstrate a business plan with genuine potential for growth and innovation
• 3-year visa initially; can extend and eventually lead to settlement (ILR after 3 years if business conditions met)
• Cost: approximately £1,021 application fee (check current fee at gov.uk)

Global Talent Visa:

• For leaders in digital technology, science, engineering, arts and culture, and academia
• Requires endorsement from a recognised body (for tech: Tech Nation, which ceased operations in 2023; now endorsed by other bodies — verify current endorsing organisations)

Expansion Worker Visa (Global Business Mobility route):

• For overseas businesses expanding to UK
• Sponsored by a UK entity linked to the overseas business
• Not a standalone founder route

Singapore — EntrePass

Overview: The EntrePass is Singapore's visa for foreign entrepreneurs who want to start or run a business in Singapore. It is significantly harder to obtain than a UAE investor visa.

Requirements:

• Company must be incorporated in Singapore as a Pte Ltd (private limited company)
• Company must hold or be in the process of applying for an IP (intellectual property) from a recognised institution, be funded by a government-recognised venture capital firm, or be affiliated with a qualifying government-linked accelerator; OR the applicant must be an experienced entrepreneur or meet specific industry credentials
• Applicant's entrepreneurial background, track record, and the viability of the business plan are assessed

Income requirement: From 2023, the applicant must demonstrate the company generates a minimum revenue or employs a minimum number of local employees within specified timeframes (requirements reviewed periodically — verify at mom.gov.sg)

Duration: 1–2 years initially; renewable if business criteria are met

Processing: Approximately 8 weeks

Cost: SGD 70 application fee + SGD 225 issuance fee (per 2024 MOM schedule — verify current)

What it provides: Singapore work pass — allows you to live and work in Singapore, employ staff, and eventually apply for Permanent Residency.

Germany — Freiberufler and Self-Employment Visa

For non-EU nationals wanting to run a business in Germany:

Visa for Freelancers/Self-Employed (§21 AufenthG):

• For freelance professionals in eligible sectors (journalists, artists, scientists, IT specialists, lawyers, doctors, architects, engineers)
• Must demonstrate sufficient income to cover living costs
• Must not have employees
• Requires evidence of clients or work orders
• 1-year visa initially; extendable

Visa for Self-Employment (§21 AufenthG para 2):

• For establishing or running a business in Germany (GmbH, UG, etc.)
• Must demonstrate the business is commercially viable and in the German economic interest
• Requires €250,000 minimum planned investment (this threshold was removed for certain cases — verify current requirements at German embassy)
• Must create at least 5 jobs in Germany (this requirement was also revised — verify)
• Regional Economic Development Committees provide opinions on viability

EU Blue Card (for employees, not founders): €44,304 minimum salary (2024 threshold) — relevant if the founder also employs themselves at an adequate salary.

Portugal — Startup Visa

D2 Visa (Entrepreneurship Visa):

• For non-EU nationals wanting to start a business in Portugal or lead a startup as a key member
• Routes: Traditional D2 (independent professional activities) or Startup Visa (through IAPMEI — the Portuguese SME and Innovation Agency)
• Startup Visa specifically: company must be innovative, scalable, and technologically advanced
• Requires commitment to create at least 5 jobs or minimum investment of €250,000
• 2-year initial visa; extendable

D8 Visa (Digital Nomad/Remote Work): Technically for remote workers rather than entrepreneurs; covered in Chapter 2.

Estonia — e-Residency + Startup Visa

e-Residency is not a visa or residency permit — it is a digital identity programme allowing non-residents to manage an Estonian company remotely. It does not provide the right to live in Estonia.

Estonian Startup Visa:

• For founders and employees of startups already incorporated in Estonia
• Company must be evaluated and approved by Startup Estonia (the government's startup programme)
• 1-year visa; extendable to 2 years
• Not available to solo self-employed; company must demonstrate growth potential

USA — No General Founder Visa

The US notoriously lacks a startup or founder visa. The current options:

O-1A Visa: "Extraordinary ability" in business, science, arts, education, athletics. Must demonstrate extraordinary achievement through awards, publications, significant contributions to the field. Difficult to obtain without exceptional credentials.

EB-5 Investor Visa: Permanent residency (green card) for investors who invest $1.05M (or $800,000 in targeted employment areas) in a US business that creates at least 10 full-time jobs for US workers. Investment-focused, not founder-focused.

L-1A Intracompany Transferee: Allows a manager or executive of a foreign company to transfer to a US affiliate, subsidiary, or parent. The foreign company must have been operating for at least 1 year. Commonly used by founders of international companies establishing a US presence.

B-1 Business Visitor: For temporary visits to the US for business purposes. Not a work visa — cannot be employed or paid in the US on B-1, but can attend meetings, negotiate contracts, conduct market research. Used for short-term visits to set up a US company, meet investors, etc.

International Entrepreneur Rule (IER): A regulation allowing certain entrepreneurs to stay in the US for 2.5 years (extendable) if they can demonstrate the startup can generate significant public benefit and they have a significant ownership stake. Activated by the Biden administration in 2021 after years of inactivity. Uptake has been limited.

The practical path for many international founders: Incorporate a Delaware C Corp. Use the O-1A or L-1A if you have the credentials. Hire US employees and manage remotely. Visit on B-1 or B-2 (tourist visa) for meetings. Eventually apply for EB-5 or pursue a sponsored employment-based green card through the company.

Georgia — Legal Residence via Small Business or Company Ownership

Georgia offers a very low-barrier path to legal residence:

Short-term stays: Citizens of over 90 countries can enter Georgia visa-free for up to 365 days. Many digital nomads live in Georgia on successive entries without formal residency.

Residence permit via business:

• Form a Georgian LLC
• The company director/owner can apply for a residence permit based on business activity
• Requirements include proof of income, registered company, and intention to reside in Georgia
• Processing time: 1–30 days

Remotely managed: You don't need to be in Georgia to own a Georgian LLC — but to obtain Georgian residence, you need to be physically present.

Comparison table — entrepreneur visa routes