32 destinations
Startup visas, country by country.
Founder routes in 32 destinations, with the endorsing body, the current status and the capital each one asks for.
Europe
AustriaRed-White-Red Card for Start-up Founders · Red-White-Red Card for Self-employed Key WorkersOpenEUR 30,000, at least half of it equityBulgariaStartup Visa (certificate for a high-tech and/or innovative project)OpenNo fixed capital; personal funds of 3 minimum wagesCyprusCyprus Startup VisaLimited intakeNo fixed minimum; innovation score or EUR 1M revenueDenmarkStart-up DenmarkLimited intakeLiving funds from DKK 153,240 (single, 2025 level)EstoniaStartup VisaOpenNo fixed minimum; Startup Committee approval requiredFinlandResidence permit for a start-up entrepreneur (Startup Permit) · Residence permit for an entrepreneurOpenNo fixed amount; funding must fit the first-year planFranceTalent card – project leader: company creation · French Tech Visa for Founders (talent card – innovative economic project) · Entrepreneur/liberal profession residence cardOpenEUR 30,000 for the company-creation routeGermanyResidence permit for self-employment (section 21(1) Residence Act) · Residence permit for freelancers (section 21(5) Residence Act) · Opportunity Card (Chancenkarte, section 20a Residence Act)OpenNo fixed minimum; financing must be securedIrelandStart-up Entrepreneur Programme (STEP)OpenEUR 50,000 (EUR 30,000 for each additional founder)ItalyItalia Startup Visa · Italia Startup HubOpenFunding level set by MIMIT guidelines; confirm with MIMITLatviaStart-up temporary residence permit (startup visa)OpenNo fixed minimum; year-one funding or progress reportLithuaniaStartup Visa LithuaniaOpenNo fixed minimum; Innovation Agency confirmation requiredMaltaMalta Startup Residence ProgrammeOpenEUR 25,000 investment or paid-up share capitalNetherlandsStart-up residence permit · Residence permit under the Dutch-American Friendship Treaty (DAFT)OpenNo set capital; living funds for the full yearPortugalStartUP Visa · Residence visa for independent work or entrepreneurs (D2) · Tech VisaOpenNo fixed investment; own funds of 12 x IAS (EUR 6,445.56)SpainResidence authorization for entrepreneurs (Law 14/2013)OpenNo minimum investment; favorable ENISA report requiredUnited KingdomInnovator Founder visa · Global Talent visaOpenNo fixed sum; endorsing body assesses the funding
Americas
BrazilResidence authorization for investment in innovation (CNIg Normative Resolution 13/2017, Art. 3) · Residence authorization for investment in a Brazilian company (CNIg Normative Resolution 13/2017)OpenBRL 150,000 for innovation; BRL 500,000 otherwiseCanadaQuébec Entrepreneur Program – Stream 1: Innovative business · Start-up Visa ProgramPausedNo fixed minimum; designated-organization commitmentChileResidencia Temporal: Investors and related personnel (Subcategory 13) · Residencia Temporal: Lawful remunerated activities (Subcategory 2)No dedicated routeUSD 500,000 for the investor subcategoryUnited StatesInternational Entrepreneur Parole (International Entrepreneur Rule) · E-2 Treaty Investor · O-1A Individuals with Extraordinary AbilityOpenUSD 311,071 from qualified investors or USD 124,429 grants
Asia-Pacific
AustraliaNational Innovation visa (subclass 858) · Business Innovation and Investment (Provisional) visa (subclass 188), Entrepreneur streamLimited intakeNo investment threshold; exceptional record requiredHong KongInvestment as Entrepreneurs (General Employment Policy)OpenNo fixed minimum; business plan and funding assessedJapanStartup Visa (Projects for Encouraging Foreign Entrepreneurs to Start Business) · Business Manager status of residenceOpenAbout JPY 30 million to qualify as Business ManagerMalaysiaMTEP New Entrepreneur (Professional Visit Pass, PVP-MTE) · MTEP Established Entrepreneur (Residence Pass, RP-MTE)OpenNo fixed capital; MYR 50,000 balance shown at renewalNew ZealandBusiness Investor Work Visa · Entrepreneur Work VisaOpenNZD 1 million in an established businessSingaporeEntrePassOpenNone set; one track needs SGD 100,000 raised in one roundSouth KoreaTechnology Startup Visa (D-8-4) · Startup Korea Special Visa (D-8-4(S))OpenNone for D-8-4; KRW 100 million for a D-8 investorTaiwanEntrepreneur Visa · Employment Gold CardOpenNo fixed minimum; one of several MOEA criteriaThailandSMART Visa (SMART S, startup entrepreneurs)OpenTHB 600,000 personal deposit held for 3 months
Middle East
In short.
How startup visas work
Startup visas exist to attract founders whose companies can grow, create jobs and bring new technology. Most ask for some form of outside validation: an endorsement from an incubator, accelerator or venture investor, or approval from a government agency or expert committee that reviews the business plan. That review usually looks at how innovative the idea is, whether it can scale and whether the founding team can deliver it.
Financial rules vary more than anything else. Some programs have no fixed minimum and ask only that you can support yourself, others require a set amount of share capital or committed funding. Read each route's status as well: a program can be capped, paused or replaced, and the right choice is the one that is open to you now.
Find the right country for your company.
Share your plans and an advisor will help you compare the startup visa, residence and citizenship routes that fit them.