Self-Employment Visas allow professionals, entrepreneurs, and families to relocate to a new country through dedicated immigration programmes. In 2026, 33 countries offer at least one self-employment visa pathway in our database, each with different income thresholds, processing timelines, and paths to permanent residency.
This page compares every self-employment visa programme we track, listed alphabetically. Use the table below to quickly identify which countries match your budget, timeline, and long-term goals. Click any country name to see its full immigration profile.
Country Comparison Table
| Country | Programme | Income Req. | Processing | PR Path | Family |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Albania | Self-Employment Permit | €517/mo | 28–42 days | 5 yr | No |
| Armenia | Sole Proprietor Registration | — | 1–3 days | 5 yr | Yes |
| Cambodia | Self-Employment Permit | — | 30–30 days | 7 yr | Yes |
| Canada | Self-Employed Persons Program | — | 365–730 days | — | Yes |
| Chile | Professional / Independent Worker | €18,000/mo | 180–240 days | 2 yr | Yes |
| Costa Rica | Self-Employed Visa | €2,297/mo | 180–360 days | 3 yr | Yes |
| Dominican Republic | Rentier Residence | €1,870/mo | 30–180 days | 4 yr | Yes |
| Equatorial Guinea | Self-Employment Permit (PCP) | €15,000/an | 28–45 days | 10 yr | Yes |
| Estonia | Temporary Residence Permit for Enterprise | €65,000/on | 60–90 days | 5 yr | Yes |
| Greece | Self-Employment Permit | €1,000/mo | 60–120 days | 5 yr | Yes |
| Italy | Self-Employment Visa (Lavoro Autonomo) | €8,500/mo | 60–120 days | 5 yr | Yes |
| Kenya | Class G — Business / Self-Employment | €9,231/mo | 15–30 days | 5 yr | Yes |
| Kosovo | Self-Employment Work Permit | — | 45–90 days | 5 yr | Yes |
| Kyrgyzstan | Self-Employment Permit | — | 28–28 days | 5 yr | Yes |
| Latvia | Self-Employment / Freelancer Permit | €8,880/mo | 15–45 days | 5 yr | Yes |
| Luxembourg | Self-Employment Residence Permit | — | 90–90 days | 5 yr | Yes |
| Madagascar | Self-Employment Visa | €500/mo | 14–28 days | 2 yr | Yes |
| Moldova | Self-Employment Visa | €1,400/mo | 30–60 days | 5 yr | Yes |
| Morocco | Self-employment | — | 14–28 days | 4 yr | Yes |
| Myanmar | Self-Employment Visa | — | 7–21 days | — | No |
| North Macedonia | Self-Employment / Freelancer (Personal Work Permit) | €530/mo | 28–42 days | 5 yr | Yes |
| Pakistan | Freelancer / Independent Contractor (via Business Visa) | €2,000/mo | 45–60 days | — | No |
| Peru | Independent Professional Visa | €1,200/mo | 45–120 days | 3 yr | Yes |
| Qatar | Freelancer Visa | €2,275/on | 28–56 days | 20 yr | Yes |
| Russia | Self-Employment Visa | — | 28–56 days | 3 yr | No |
| Serbia | Self-Employment Permit | — | 30–60 days | 5 yr | Yes |
| Slovakia | Temporary Residence for Business/Self-Employment | €3,700/mo | 30–60 days | 5 yr | Yes |
| Spain | Self-Employment Visa (Cuenta Propia) | €7,200/mo | 60–120 days | 5 yr | Yes |
| Switzerland | Self-Employed B Permit | €8,916/mo | 30–90 days | 10 yr | Yes |
| Tanzania | Residence Permit Class C (Researchers/Retired/Missionaries) | €900/mo | 21–42 days | — | Yes |
| Ukraine | Self-Employment / Freelancer | €3,000/mo | 10–40 days | 5 yr | Yes |
| United Arab Emirates | Freelancer Visa / Freelance Permit | — | 5–15 days | No PR path | Yes |
| Uruguay | Self-Employment / Independent Worker | €4,105/mo | 120–365 days | 2 yr | Yes |
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Albania (1 programme)
- Self-Employment Permit — Self-Employment Permit for Albania.
Armenia (1 programme)
- Sole Proprietor Registration — Sole Proprietor Registration for Armenia.
Cambodia (1 programme)
- Self-Employment Permit — Self-Employment Permit for Cambodia.
Canada (1 programme)
- Self-Employed Persons Program — PR pathway for self-employed persons in cultural activities or athletics with world-class experience.
Chile (1 programme)
- Professional / Independent Worker — Independent/professional worker visa. ~USD 1,500-2,000/month benchmark. 2 years to PR.
Costa Rica (2 programmes)
- Self-Employed Visa — Fixed income visa for financially independent individuals with $2500 monthly income or $60,000 bank deposit, leading to permanent residency.
- Self-Employment/Entrepreneur Visa — Self-employment visa for entrepreneurs and freelancers with significant international business income and full work rights.
Dominican Republic (1 programme)
- Rentier Residence — Rentier Residence for Dominican Republic.
Equatorial Guinea (1 programme)
- Self-Employment Permit (PCP) — Self-employment permit valid for 3 years for independent business activities.
Estonia (1 programme)
- Temporary Residence Permit for Enterprise — Temporary Residence Permit for Enterprise for Estonia.
Greece (1 programme)
- Self-Employment Permit — Self-Employment Permit for Greece.
Italy (1 programme)
- Self-Employment Visa (Lavoro Autonomo) — Self-employment visa. Must demonstrate adequate resources (€8,500+ annual income). Subject to annual quota.
Kenya (1 programme)
- Class G — Business / Self-Employment — Business/consultant permit. KES 100,000/month income + KES 250,000 savings. 2 years, renewable.
Kosovo (1 programme)
- Self-Employment Work Permit — Self-employment permit for professionals with recognized qualifications.
Kyrgyzstan (1 programme)
- Self-Employment Permit — Self-Employment Permit for Kyrgyzstan.
Latvia (1 programme)
- Self-Employment / Freelancer Permit — Self-employment residence permit. €740/mo minimum income + EUR 3,500 savings. 2 years, renewable.
Luxembourg (1 programme)
- Self-Employment Residence Permit — Self-Employment Residence Permit for Luxembourg.
Madagascar (1 programme)
- Self-Employment Visa — Self-Employment Visa for Madagascar.
Moldova (1 programme)
- Self-Employment Visa — Self-Employment Visa for Moldova.
Morocco (1 programme)
- Self-employment — Self-employment for Morocco.
Myanmar (1 programme)
- Self-Employment Visa — Self-Employment Visa for Myanmar.
North Macedonia (1 programme)
- Self-Employment / Freelancer (Personal Work Permit) — Personal work permit for self-employed. ~€530/mo minimum income. 1 year, renewable up to 3+ years.
Pakistan (1 programme)
- Freelancer / Independent Contractor (via Business Visa) — Freelancers use business or investor-linked visas supported by a local company or own incorporated entity.
Peru (1 programme)
- Independent Professional Visa — Independent Professional Visa for Peru.
Qatar (1 programme)
- Freelancer Visa — Freelancer Visa for Qatar.
Russia (1 programme)
- Self-Employment Visa — Self-Employment Visa for Russia.
Serbia (1 programme)
- Self-Employment Permit — Self-Employment Permit for Serbia.
Slovakia (1 programme)
- Temporary Residence for Business/Self-Employment — Temporary Residence for Business/Self-Employment for Slovakia.
Spain (1 programme)
- Self-Employment Visa (Cuenta Propia) — Self-employment visa. Formal minimum 100% IPREM (€7,200/mo) but practice expects viable business plan.
Switzerland (1 programme)
- Self-Employed B Permit — Self-employment residence permit. Must prove sustainable income and economic benefit.
Tanzania (1 programme)
- Residence Permit Class C (Researchers/Retired/Missionaries) — Residence Permit Class C (Researchers/Retired/Missionaries) for Tanzania.
United Arab Emirates (2 programmes)
- Freelancer Visa / Freelance Permit — Freelance permit + visa. Cost AED 7,000-12,000 total depending on emirate. Dubai, Abu Dhabi, RAK each have own license brackets.
- Green Visa (Self-Sponsored, 5-year) — Self-sponsored 5-year visa. AED 15,000/month for employees or AED 360,000 over 2 years for freelancers. No employer sponsor needed.
Ukraine (1 programme)
- Self-Employment / Freelancer — Self-employment permit. UAH 10,000/month income + UAH 50,000 savings. 3-year permit.
Uruguay (1 programme)
- Self-Employment / Independent Worker — Self-employment residence. Minimum wage income floor. Territorial tax system — foreign income not taxed.
Self-Employment Visas by Country
Albania: Self Employment Permit
Armenia: Sole Proprietor Registration
Austria: Red White Red Card Self Employed Key Workers
Bangladesh: Freelance Remote
Belgium: Professional Card Self Employment
Bulgaria: Self Employment Entrepreneur
Cambodia: Self Employment Permit
Canada: Self Employed Persons Program
Costa Rica: Self Employed Visa
Costa Rica: Self Employment Entrepreneur Visa
Croatia: Self Employed Entrepreneur
Equatorial Guinea: Self Employed Permit
Georgia: Self Employment Entrepreneur
Germany: Self Employmententrepreneur Visa
Germany: Freelance Visa
Germany: Freelancerself Employed Visa
Greece: Self Employment Permit
Italy: Self Employment Visa
Japan: Freelanceself Employed Visa
Kenya: Class G Business Self Employment
Kosovo: Self Employment Permit
Kyrgyzstan: Self Employment Permit
Latvia: Digital Nomad Self Employment
Latvia: Self Employment Freelancer
Luxembourg: Self Employment Residence Permit
Madagascar: Self Employment Visa
Mauritius: Self Employed Occupation Permit
Moldova: Self Employment Visa
Morocco: Self Employment
Myanmar: Self Employment Visa
Netherlands: Self Employed Visa
Nicaragua: Self Employment Visa
Norway: Self Employedsole Proprietor Permit
Pakistan: Freelancer Via Business
Poland: Self Employed Entrepreneur
Qatar: Freelancer Visa
Russia: Self Employment Visa
Serbia: Self Employment Permit
Serbia: Digital Nomad Self Employment Route
Seychelles: Self Employed Permit
Slovakia: Temporary Residence For Business Self Employment
Slovenia: Self Employment Permit
Spain: Self Employment Visa Cuenta Propia
Spain: Self Employed Visa
Sweden: Self Employment Entrepreneur Permit
Sweden: Entrepreneurself Employed Visa
Switzerland: Self Employed B Permit
Tanzania: Residence Permit Class A Investor Self Employment
UAE: Freelance Work Permit
UAE: Freelancer Visa
Ukraine: Freelanceself Employment Residence
Ukraine: Digital Nomad Self Employment
Ukraine: Self Employment Freelancer
Uruguay: Self Employment Independent Worker
Zambia: Self Employment Permit
Frequently Asked Questions
How many countries offer self-employment visas in 2026?
As of 2026, 33 countries in our database offer at least one self-employment visa pathway. Requirements, processing times, and costs vary significantly between countries.
Which country has the easiest self-employment visa to obtain?
We do not rank self-employment visa pathways by difficulty — we found no source we could stand behind for such a score. The table above shows the published income requirement, processing time and family rights for each country, which is what the comparison now rests on.
What are the typical requirements for self-employment visas?
Common requirements include proof of income or savings, health insurance, a clean criminal record, and passport validity. Specific thresholds (income, education, experience) vary by country and programme.
Can I bring my family on a self-employment visa?
Many self-employment visa programmes allow family accompaniment (spouse and dependent children). Some also grant work rights to spouses. Check the family column in our comparison table above.
How long does it take to get permanent residency through a self-employment visa?
The path to permanent residency ranges from 2 to 10 years depending on the country. Some self-employment visa programmes offer faster PR tracks than others — see the PR Path column in our table.
Explore by Region
- Europe Emigration Guide 2026
- Asia Emigration Guide 2026
- Americas Emigration Guide 2026
- Middle East Emigration Guide 2026
- Oceania Emigration Guide 2026
- Africa Emigration Guide 2026
See also: All Pathways by Country · Compare Countries Side by Side · Immigration Glossary
Data sourced from official government immigration portals, re-checked March 2026. Requirements change frequently — always confirm with the relevant embassy or immigration authority before applying.