Startup Visas: Compare 24 Countries (2026)

Startup Visas allow professionals, entrepreneurs, and families to relocate to a new country through dedicated immigration programmes. In 2026, 24 countries offer at least one startup visa pathway in our database, each with different income thresholds, processing timelines, and paths to permanent residency.

This page compares every startup visa programme we track, sorted by difficulty score (1 = easiest, 10 = hardest). 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

All Startup Visas by Country

Belgium (1 programme)

• Professional Card (Self-Employment / Entrepreneur) — Professional Card for self-employed. EUR 25,575/year (120% income support reference). Region-specific approval.

Bulgaria (1 programme)

• Self-Employment / Entrepreneur — Entrepreneur residence. BGN 800-1,000/month practice floor. 10% flat corporate tax. 2+ years experience required.

Canada (1 programme)

• Startup Visa Program (PAUSED Jan 2026) (paused) — Startup Visa paused since January 2026. No new applications accepted. Existing certificate holders have until June 30, 2026 to apply.

Croatia (1 programme)

• Self-Employed / Entrepreneur — Entrepreneur permit. EUR 27,000 investment + employ 3 local staff. EUR 2,100/month income required.

Denmark (1 programme)

• Start-up Denmark — Start-up Denmark for Denmark. Panel-approved innovative business; PR 8yr, citizenship 9yr

Finland (2 programmes)

• Entrepreneur / Self-Employment Permit — Entrepreneur permit. Must avoid needing social assistance. ~EUR 15,000-20,000 business capital typical.
• Start-up Entrepreneur (Fast-track) — Fast-track startup visa. ~14 days processing. EUR 17,500 typical business capital. Business Finland evaluation required.

France (1 programme)

• Talent Passport - Entrepreneur/New Business — Talent Passport - Entrepreneur/New Business for France. For business creators. Minimum EUR 30,000 investment plus annual income equivalent to SMIC (EUR 21,876.40 as of 2026). Valid up to 4 years renewable. Spouse receives work authorization.

Georgia (1 programme)

• Self-Employment / Entrepreneur — Entrepreneur residence. GEL 50,000 turnover per foreign worker. 1% small business tax if < GEL 500K turnover.

Germany (2 programmes)

• Self-Employment/Entrepreneur Visa — Self-Employment/Entrepreneur Visa for Germany. Initial permit up to 3 years. Distinguished from freelance visa (Freiberufler) - this is for business owners/tradespeople. Settlement permit after 3 years if business successful. Different from startup visa which is for innovative startups with grants. Must register business (Gewerbe) and pay business tax. Spouse receives work authorization. Germans graduating from German universities may have conditions waived.
• Startup Visa with Grant — Startup Visa with Grant for Germany. Introduced in 2024 Skilled Immigration Act. Residence permit issued for duration of grant, maximum 18 months. Designed for skilled workers with innovative startup ideas receiving funding from German organizations. Can transition to regular self-employment or work permit after initial period. Grant must come from German research organization or public body.

Ireland (1 programme)

• Start-up Entrepreneur Programme (STEP) — Start-up Entrepreneur Programme (STEP). EUR 50,000 investment. Quarterly committee evaluation. 3-6 month processing.

Italy (1 programme)

• Startup Visa (Italia Startup) — Startup visa for innovative entrepreneurs. €50K minimum capital. Evaluated by Italia Startup Hub committee.

Lithuania (1 programme)

• Startup Visa — Startup visa. EUR 1,038/month living standard. 1 year, renewable up to 2 years total. Startup Lithuania evaluation.

Mauritius (1 programme)

• Self-Employed Occupation Permit — Self-employed permit. USD 50,000 initial transfer. MUR 800K/year income from year 3. Up to 10 years.

Netherlands (2 programmes)

• Startup Visa — Startup visa requiring recognised facilitator. EUR 2,294/month funds. 1-year visa to develop business.
• Dutch-American Friendship Treaty (DAFT) — DAFT treaty visa for US citizens. EUR 4,500 minimum investment. Self-employment in NL.

New Zealand (2 programmes)

• Business Investor Work Visa - Fast-Track Pathway — Active Investor Plus visa. Growth: NZD $5M/3yr. Balanced: NZD $10M/5yr. English requirement removed. Replaces old Category 1/2.
• Business Investor Work Visa - Standard Pathway — Active Investor Plus visa. Growth: NZD $5M/3yr. Balanced: NZD $10M/5yr. English requirement removed. Replaces old Category 1/2.

Norway (2 programmes)

• Startup Visa — Startup visa. No fixed NOK amount published; must show sufficient funds.
• Self-Employed/Sole Proprietor Permit — Self-Employed/Sole Proprietor Permit for Norway. Path to PR after 3 years. Can only work in own business, no other employment allowed including remote work for others.

Poland (1 programme)

• Self-Employed / Entrepreneur — Entrepreneur permit. PLN 15,000 business capital. Must demonstrate economic benefit to Poland.

Portugal (1 programme)

• D2 Visa - Entrepreneur / Self-Employment — Self-employment visa requiring business plan and €11,040 savings. No fixed income minimum. 99.4% approval rate.

Singapore (1 programme)

• EntrePass — EntrePass for Singapore. No minimum capital investment required. Initial pass valid 1 year, first renewal 1 year, subsequent renewals 2 years. Exempt from worker levy. Dependents eligible after meeting business milestones. First renewal requires SGD 100k spending and 1 local hire.

South Korea (1 programme)

• D-8-4 Startup Visa — Tech startup visa. Requires bachelor's or higher and tech-based business plan.

Spain (1 programme)

• Entrepreneur/Startup Visa — Entrepreneur/Startup Visa for Spain. Part of Startup Law (2022). For entrepreneurs creating innovative businesses. Fast-track 20-day processing. Initial 3 years. Beckham Law tax benefits available.

Sweden (3 programmes)

• Startup Visa — Self-employment/startup visa. Must show can support self and family.
• Entrepreneur/Self-Employed Visa — Entrepreneur/Self-Employed Visa for Sweden. 51% ownership + credible plan + experience; PR 4yr, citizenship 5yr
• Self-Employment / Entrepreneur Permit — Self-Employment / Entrepreneur Permit for Sweden. For running own business in Sweden. Requires proven business experience, majority ownership, and substantial savings (approximately EUR 18,000 + family). PR possible after 2 years if business successful. Success rate 60-70%; rejections often due to weak business plans (35%) or insufficient funds (25%).

Switzerland (2 programmes)

• Startup/Entrepreneur Permit — Entrepreneur permit under non-EU quota (8,500 total). Requires viable business plan and funding.
• Entrepreneur/Business Founder Residence Permit — Entrepreneur/Business Founder Residence Permit for Switzerland. For entrepreneurs establishing or investing in Swiss business. Initially granted L permit (6-12 months) or B permit (1 year), renewable if business meets objectives. Non-EU/EFTA applicants face stricter scrutiny than EU/EFTA. No dedicated startup visa exists as of 2026

United Arab Emirates (2 programmes)

• Business/Company Investor Visa — Business/Company Investor Visa for United Arab Emirates. 2-3 year investor/partner visa for company owners; renewable as long as business operational; common route for entrepreneurs
• Golden Visa - Entrepreneurs & Startups — Golden Visa - Entrepreneurs & Startups for United Arab Emirates. 5-year Golden Visa for entrepreneurs with innovative startups; project value minimum AED 500,000; requires business incubator approval

Frequently Asked Questions

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• Europe Immigration Guide 2026
• Asia Immigration Guide 2026
• Americas Immigration Guide 2026
• Middle East Immigration Guide 2026
• Oceania Immigration Guide 2026
• Africa Immigration Guide 2026

See also: All Pathways by Country · Compare Countries Side by Side · Immigration Glossary

Data sourced from official government immigration portals, verified March 2026. Requirements change frequently — always confirm with the relevant embassy or immigration authority before applying.