Startup visas

National Innovation Visa (subclass 858) Invitation only

Invitation-only permanent visa for established and emerging leaders in sectors of national importance, including global researchers, entrepreneurs and innovative investors.

Eligibility: Submit an expression of interest (active for 2 years), wait for an invitation, then apply within 60 days with a nomination (Form 1000).

Invitation only Australia

Red-White-Red Card for Start-up Founders (Austria) Open

Card for third-country founders of innovative companies in Austria.

Eligibility: Innovative company with a consistent business plan; controlling influence on management; at least EUR 30,000 capital with at least 50% equity share; at least 50 points on the points table.

Duration: 24 months first, then Red-White-Red Card plus with unlimited labour market access.

Fees: Application fee EUR 218.

Points based Austria

Brazilian Startup Visa Check status

Temporary visa for foreigners who invest in or found a startup or tech-based venture in Brazil. The process starts in Brazil with a residence authorisation; the consulate visa follows.

Eligibility: Must show the venture meets Brazilian startup/innovation legislation; business plan and investment documentation required; visa validity follows the residence authorisation.

Page read is the Santiago consulate guidance; requirements are set by Brazilian migration law and may differ in detail.

Investor visa BrazilPartly verified

Start-up Visa Program (Canada) Paused

Program for immigrant entrepreneurs building innovative businesses in Canada outside Quebec. The IRCC page lists the program status as Paused.

Eligibility: Per the page: only applicants holding a valid 2025 commitment certificate could apply, and only by June 30, 2026; closed to all other applications. Designated-organization intake is also listed as paused.

Page dated 2026-07-21 shows Status: Paused. Do not present as open. Re-check IRCC before any update. Language, funds and ownership rules were not on this page.

Startup pr Canada

Cyprus Startup Visa Scheme Open

Lets third-country entrepreneurs (individuals or teams) enter, reside and work in Cyprus to establish, operate or develop a high-growth startup.

Eligibility: Non-EU/EEA entrepreneurs with an innovative startup; applications sent by email to the Deputy Ministry; decision within five weeks of a complete application.

Migration Department notice of 28 Jan 2026: scheme renewed and valid until December 2026.

Scheme approval Cyprus

Startup Denmark Check status

Official programme giving non-EU/EEA/Swiss entrepreneurs a residence and work permit to build an innovative, scalable business in Denmark.

Eligibility: Business plan approved by an independent expert panel; then apply to SIRI for the permit. Page gives no points or funding thresholds.

Duration: Up to 2 years initially; extensions of 3 years at a time.

Page does not state whether applications are currently open. Operating body not named on the page.

Expert panel Denmark

Estonian Startup Visa Open

Lets non-EU founders grow a startup in Estonia; family members can also receive visas. The Startup Committee reviews applications.

Eligibility: Non-EU citizen; company registered in Estonia meeting the Aliens Act startup definition (innovative, repeatable, global growth potential); company no more than 10 years old.

Fees: Long-stay review EUR 80; short-stay (up to 90 days Schengen) EUR 60. No additional state fee for committee review.

Committee startup Estonia

Residence permit for a start-up entrepreneur (Finland) Open

Permit for founders of a recently founded growth-oriented company, or about to found one, who obtain a positive Eligibility Statement from Business Finland.

Eligibility: Positive Business Finland Eligibility Statement (one team member applies); sufficient financial resources for the whole permit period; first permit applied for from abroad.

Duration: First permit can be granted for 2 years.

Fees: Electronic: first permit EUR 650, extended permit EUR 230. Paper: EUR 800 / EUR 430.

If no positive statement, the general entrepreneur permit is the alternative.

Eligibility statement Finland

French Tech Visa for Founders (Passeport Talent) Open

Simplified procedure for non-EU/EEA/Swiss startup founders to obtain a 4-year renewable Passeport Talent.

Eligibility: Prove an innovative economic project in France, recognition of the project by a public body, and means of subsistence equal to the SMIC. Page says founders are of startups selected by partner incubators.

Duration: Up to 4 years, renewable.

Page updated 1 Oct 2026. The general Passeport Talent business-creator route (France-Visas) requires a master's-level degree or 5 years' experience and at least EUR 30,000 invested.

Incubator endorsed France

Residence permit for self-employment (Germany) Open

Residence permit under Section 21 AufenthG for non-EU founders who set up a business in Germany.

Eligibility: Commercial interest or regional demand, positive economic impact, and secured financing (own capital or loan commitment); those over 45 must show adequate pension provision. Business plan required.

Fees: Residence permit up to EUR 100; visa typically EUR 90; settlement permit up to EUR 147.

Berlin service page states pension-provision thresholds from 1 July 2025 (monthly pension EUR 1,612.53 for 12 years, or assets EUR 232,204). Applies to those older than 45.

Self employed Germany

Start-up Entrepreneur Programme (STEP) Open

Lets innovative non-EEA entrepreneurs establish a business and live in Ireland full time. Proposals are assessed quarterly by an evaluation committee.

Eligibility: Good character, no criminal convictions, EUR 50,000 funding available, and an innovative business proposal. Citizens Information describes target start-ups as high-potential, internationally traded, headquartered in Ireland and under 5 years old; not for retail, catering or personal services.

Duration: Residence permission 2 years initially, renewable for a further 3 years (Citizens Information).

Fees: Non-refundable application fee EUR 350.

Duration and start-up definition come from Citizens Information; the Irish immigration page itself dates from 2020 in the index. Confirm current fee and rules before relying.

Startup permission IrelandPartly verified

Innovation Visa for a Foreign Technology Entrepreneur (Israel) Open

Procedure approved in 2024 that lets the Innovation Authority recommend a stay visa for non-Israeli technology entrepreneurs and researchers who will develop ventures in Israel.

Eligibility: Non-citizen technology entrepreneurs/researchers; apply to the Innovation Authority, whose CEO decides on a recommendation; the Population and Immigration Authority grants the visa.

Approval does not entitle the applicant to any grant.

Innovation authority recommendation Israel

Italia Startup Visa Open

Simplified procedure for non-EU nationals to obtain a self-employment visa to set up an innovative startup in Italy; Italia Startup Hub extends it to non-EU nationals already resident in Italy.

Eligibility: Non-EU national intending to found an innovative startup (law 179/2012); a technical committee assesses the project and issues a nulla osta, then the visa is requested at an Italian consulate.

Programme suspended for Russian and Belarusian citizens since 27 Oct 2023.

Committee startup Italy

Startup Visa (Japan) Open

Lets foreign entrepreneurs stay in Japan while incorporating and securing an office, supported by an approved local government or private organisation.

Eligibility: Submit a business plan to an approved Foreign Entrepreneurship Promotion Organization (21 municipalities/organisations listed, e.g. Fukuoka, Tokyo, Osaka); pass its examination and the Immigration Services Agency examination. Requirements vary by organisation.

Page last updated 2026-04-30.

Municipality endorsed Japan

J-FIND (Japan Future Innovation and Entrepreneurship Program) Check status

Residence status for highly skilled foreign graduates of top overseas universities, allowing up to two years in Japan for job hunting, entrepreneurship preparation or research.

Eligibility: Graduates of top overseas universities (selection list not read on this page).

Only the METI summary was read; consult the Immigration Services Agency for the university list and application steps.

Graduate status JapanPartly verified

Residence permit for innovative product creation (start-up), Latvia Check status

Residence permit for people who will create or develop innovative products in Latvia through a start-up.

Eligibility: Submit passport copy, application form, photo, proof of subsistence (EUR 500/month adult, EUR 150/month minor family member), a free-form description of the innovative product and the planned business activity for the next three years, and proof of stamp duty payment.

Page last updated 22.04.2022; fees and thresholds may have changed. OCMA also published a video guide for start-up founders.

Startup permit LatviaPartly verified

Startup Visa Lithuania Open

Streamlined entry for innovative non-EU founders; if an expert panel finds the idea suitable, the founder can apply for a temporary residence permit.

Eligibility: Non-EU founder with an innovative startup idea approved by the Startup Lithuania panel; proof of subsistence funds (EUR 1,038/month in 2025) and health insurance (min EUR 30,000 cover).

Fees: Residence permit state fee EUR 160 (general, about 1 month) or EUR 320 (urgent, about 15 days) per the 2025 guidebook; VFS service fee EUR 30-120 if applying abroad.

Fees and subsistence figures are from the August 2025 guidebook PDF; confirm current figures.

Expert panel LithuaniaPartly verified

Malaysia Tech Entrepreneur Programme (MTEP) Open

Lets new or established foreign entrepreneurs in the IT industry apply, via MDEC recommendation, for a pass to set up a business in Malaysia.

Eligibility: Non-citizen entrepreneur (new or established) in IT; MDEC approval recommendation, then visa/e-Visa and passport endorsement by the Immigration Department.

Cost and process from the Malaysian government portal; the MDEC page itself has little text.

Agency recommendation MalaysiaPartly verified

Malta Startup Residence Programme Open

Residence programme for non-EU founders of highly innovative businesses in Malta.

Eligibility: Third-country national aged 18+; founder or co-founder of an enterprise registered not more than 7 years anywhere globally; concrete intention to develop a highly innovative business in Malta; health insurance; nationals of listed sanctioned countries are ineligible.

Details from the August 2025 eligibility PDF and the programme brochure; the main site page itself was not fetched.

Programme approval MaltaPartly verified

Residence permit for foreign startups (Netherlands) Open

Permit for non-EU/EEA/Swiss founders to develop an innovative product in the Netherlands for up to one year with an RVO-recognised facilitator (mentor).

Eligibility: Innovative product or service, a step-by-step plan assessed by RVO, sufficient resources to live in the Netherlands, and an agreement with an RVO-recognised facilitator.

Duration: Maximum 1 year; afterwards apply as a self-employed entrepreneur.

Facilitator startup Netherlands

Entrepreneur Work Visa (New Zealand) Closed

Immigration New Zealand's work visa for people starting or buying a business in New Zealand. The official page says it is closed to new applications.

Eligibility: NZD 100,000 to invest, a business plan, and 120 points. Capital requirement may be waived for science/ICT or highly innovative/export-oriented businesses. Not available after bankruptcy or business failure in the last 5 years.

The INZ page states the visa is closed to new applications; existing holders may apply to renew. Check INZ for any replacement route before relying on this.

Points based New Zealand

StartUP Visa (Portugal) Open

Residence and work visa for entrepreneurs setting up or relocating an innovative tech-based company to Portugal via a certified incubator.

Eligibility: Develop innovative goods/services; open or relocate a technology/knowledge-focused company; potential to create qualified jobs; potential to reach turnover or assets over EUR 325,000 per year 5 years after incubation.

Certified incubator Portugal

EntrePass (Singapore) Open

Work pass for foreign entrepreneurs to start and operate a venture-backed or innovative-technology private limited company in Singapore. No minimum salary and no foreign worker levy or quota.

Eligibility: ACRA-registered private limited company where the holder owns at least 30%; venture-backed or owns innovative technology; plus one of: raised at least SGD 100,000 in a single round; backed by a government-recognised or internationally renowned incubator/accelerator; founded and sold a technology business; holds registered IP; or other listed criteria.

Duration: New pass and first renewal up to 1 year; later renewals up to 2 years.

Criteria based Singapore

Startup Visa D-8-4 via OASIS (Korea) Open

Technology and business start-up visa for founders of technology-based corporations who complete OASIS programmes to earn points; a D-10-2 startup preparation visa exists for skill-based startups.

Eligibility: Bachelor's degree plus intellectual property rights or equivalent skills; OASIS certificates totalling 60+ points; D-8-4 is available to OASIS participants only. OASIS enrolment is limited to non-Koreans legally residing in Korea.

Points programme South Korea

Residence authorisation for entrepreneurs (Spain) Open

Residence authorisation for non-EU nationals starting or running an innovative entrepreneurial activity of special economic interest to Spain.

Eligibility: Non-EU adult with a favourable ENISA report on the project's viability and innovation; the Startup Law (28/2022) extended entrepreneur residence periods from 1 to 3 years, extendable to 5.

Duration: 3-year permit (about 30 days processing per the portal).

Enisa report Spain

SMART Visa - S (Startup) Open

Visa for technology startup entrepreneurs in targeted industries; spouse and children can stay, the spouse may work without a work permit, and no work permit is needed for the certified business.

Eligibility: 2-year visa: startup established in Thailand and certified by agencies such as NIA or DEPA, holder owns at least 25% or is a director, and a deposit of at least THB 600,000 held 3 months (plus THB 180,000 per accompanying person), plus health insurance. 6-month visa: tech startup plan endorsed by relevant agencies plus health insurance.

Agency certified Thailand

UAE Golden Visa for Entrepreneurs Open

Long-term residency for entrepreneurs with approved projects, without a sponsor (ICP).

Eligibility: u.ae: proof of an innovative/technical project, project value documents, and a letter from an incubator or relevant authority. ICP routes include owning a UAE SME with annual revenue of at least AED 1,000,000, incubator/authority approval of the venture idea, or having founded ventures sold for at least AED 7,000,000; health insurance required.

u.ae (5 years) and ICP (10 years for established routes) differ on duration; confirm which route applies.

Golden residency UAEPartly verified

Innovator Founder visa Open

Visa to set up and run an innovative, viable and scalable business in the UK, with endorsement from an approved endorsing body.

Eligibility: New, innovative, viable and scalable business idea endorsed by an approved endorsing body; able to speak, read, write and understand English. Partner and children can be included.

Fees: Visa from abroad GBP 1,357 per person; in-UK extension/switch GBP 1,693; endorsement GBP 1,000 and GBP 500 per endorser meeting (paid to the endorsing body); healthcare surcharge extra.

Path to permanent residence: May apply for indefinite leave to remain after 3 years if other requirements are met.

Must meet the endorsing body after 12 and 24 months. The page states no funds requirement.

Endorsed startup United Kingdom

International Entrepreneur Rule (Entrepreneur Parole, US) Check status

Case-by-case parole for foreign founders of US startups who show significant public benefit; up to 3 entrepreneurs per startup; spouse may apply for work authorisation.

Eligibility: At least 10% ownership and an active central role; US startup formed within the past 5 years; within 18 months raised at least USD 311,071 from qualified investors, or at least USD 124,429 in government awards/grants (amounts as of Oct 1, 2024), or alternative evidence.

USCIS page indexed 2025-01; thresholds adjust every three years and policy changes are possible, so confirm current status on USCIS before relying.

Parole United StatesPartly verified