Entrepreneur Visa
A residence permit for foreign nationals who start or run their own business in the host country and meet its requirements on capital, jobs or innovation.
An entrepreneur visa is a residence permit that a country grants to a foreign national who starts or runs their own business on its territory. Unlike salaried employment, the status is tied to the applicant's business activity: forming a company, investing in a project and, as a rule, contributing economically through jobs or innovation.
Requirements vary: some programmes target start-ups and innovative projects and call for an approved business plan or accelerator backing, while others focus on committing working capital and operating an existing business. The specific amounts, viability criteria and renewal conditions depend on the country and are set out in the programme rules.
Related to this category are treaty mechanisms for investors and entrepreneurs, such as the US E-2 visa. An entrepreneur visa usually grants residence rights to the applicant and their family and, where the business proves sustainable and conditions are met, can lead to permanent status.
“The business plan is not paperwork. At renewal they compare it with what the company actually did: hiring, turnover, real activity. A passive share in someone else's firm rarely counts — they want you running it.”
Levan Pogosov — LawyerFAQ
How does an entrepreneur visa differ from a golden visa?
A golden visa rests on a passive contribution such as property or funds, while an entrepreneur visa requires active involvement: your own company, a business plan and often job creation. Expect materially higher engagement and reporting duties.
Do I need a trading business before I apply?
It depends on the programme. Some assess applicants at the business-plan and incorporation stage, others expect an operating company or committed investment. Check the rules of the specific country as they currently stand.
Do I actually have to live in the country?
Usually yes. These routes assume you personally run the business, so presence requirements tend to be stricter than under passive investor residence. The minimum is set by the host country.
What happens to my status if the business underperforms or closes?
Renewal is normally tied to the venture remaining viable and to the commitments you gave on investment, turnover or jobs. If they are not met, renewal can be refused, with consequences defined by the programme.
Can this route lead to permanent residence and a passport?
In many countries continuous lawful residence on such a permit counts towards permanent residence and, later, naturalisation. Timeframes, presence and language requirements vary, and the visa itself confers no citizenship.