Where Entrepreneurs Apply for Residency Programs

Relocating as a founder is no longer a fringe move. Whether you’re chasing a bigger market, easier hiring, or a friendlier tax regime, there’s likely a residency route designed with entrepreneurs in mind. The challenge isn’t scarcity—it’s navigation. Programs vary widely by eligibility, speed, and obligations. This guide maps where entrepreneurs actually apply for residency programs, how they work, and how to pick a pathway that matches your business stage and life goals.

What “entrepreneur residency programs” really are

Think of these as residence permits that explicitly allow you to live in a country while building and running a business. They sit on a spectrum:

Startup/innovator visas: Optimized for innovative, scalable businesses. Often require endorsement from incubators or government agencies.

Self-employed/freelancer permits: Suited to consultants, creatives, and solo founders with service-based income.

Investor/entrepreneur visas: Require capital investment, job creation, or both. Ideal for founders with resources or growth-stage businesses.

Special tech/founder tracks: Programs that fast-track tech founders or key employees in startups.

Digital nomad visas: Shorter-term, limited work rights. Good for exploration, not as strong for building local operations.

These are not the same as company registration (you can incorporate almost anywhere); incorporation alone rarely gives you the right to live there.

How to choose the right route

I coach founders through this decision often. Here’s the framework that consistently saves time and money:

Market access: Are your first 1,000 customers here? Choose a country that unlocks your primary market and hiring pool.

Stage and traction: Idea-stage companies fit “startup visas” with incubator backing; post-revenue companies often do better with self-employed or investor routes.

Budget and runway: Some routes cost under $2,000 in fees; others require six figures of capital investment. Map costs to runway before you apply.

Speed: If you need to land in 90 days, avoid backlogged programs and choose streamlined routes with predictable SLAs.

Family and lifestyle: Consider spouse work rights, schooling, language, healthcare, and tax. These matter more than you think six months in.

Permanence: Do you want permanent residency or citizenship options? Some programs lead there in 3–5 years; others never do.

Where entrepreneurs actually apply: global overview

Below are the programs founders use most. For each, you’ll see who it fits, key requirements, where to apply, timelines, and practical tips from the trenches.

North America

Canada – Start-Up Visa (SUV)

Good for: Tech and innovative startups with credible support; teams up to 5 founders.

Basics: Secure a Letter of Support from a designated organization (incubator, angel group, or VC), meet language requirements (CLB 5), and show settlement funds. No fixed revenue threshold, but genuine, scalable innovation is expected.

Where to apply: Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) online. Many founders first enter on a work permit tied to their designated organization.

Timelines: Permanent residence processing can stretch 24–36 months; work permits often 3–6 months depending on the office.

Practical tip: The choice of designated organization makes or breaks your file. IRCC scrutinizes business viability and founder involvement. Have a clear cap table, evidence of traction, and a concrete Canadian plan (customers, pilots, hiring).

Other Canadian options: Provincial entrepreneur programs (often require significant investment and job creation), and the C11 work permit for significant benefit entrepreneurs.

United States – Entrepreneur pathways

Good for: Founders targeting the US market with strong credentials or funding.

Options:

International Entrepreneur Parole (IEP): Up to 5 years for founders who raise roughly $250k from qualified US investors or secure meaningful US government grants. Not a visa, but work-authorized parole.

O‑1A (Extraordinary Ability): For founders with strong achievements—press, awards, funding, patents, top accelerators. Can be fast if qualified.

E‑2 Treaty Investor: For citizens of treaty countries who make a substantial investment in a US business (often $100k+). Not a direct PR path.

L‑1 (Intracompany Transfer): For moving from a foreign parent/subsidiary after 1+ year of employment.

EB‑1A/EB‑2 NIW: Permanent residency options for top-tier or nationally beneficial ventures.

Where to apply: U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Consular processing for many visas.

Timelines: O‑1/E‑2 can be weeks to a few months with premium processing. IEP varies; EB routes are longer.

Practical tip: If you’re still early-stage, stack your profile—join a notable accelerator, build media and peer recognition, and gather letters from credible US mentors. For E‑2, prepare a detailed source-of-funds and business plan.

Europe

United Kingdom – Innovator Founder Visa

Good for: Innovative, viable, and scalable businesses with product-market ambition in the UK.

Basics: Obtain an endorsement from an approved body. No fixed minimum funds requirement, but you must show resources to build the business. Path to permanent residency in 3 years if milestones are met.

Where to apply: Online via UKVI; endorsement first, visa second.

Timelines: Often 3–8 weeks after endorsement for out-of-country applications.

Practical tip: Endorsing bodies evaluate team, traction, defensibility, and UK market logic. If you buy an endorsement, UKVI will spot it. Expect post-endorsement check-ins; milestones matter.

Ireland – Start-up Entrepreneur Programme (STEP)

Good for: Innovative startups with real funding and a European base strategy.

Basics: Minimum funding of around €50,000 for the founder (more for additional founders), scalable model, and potential for job creation. Family can join.

Where to apply: Department of Justice (Irish Immigration Service Delivery), with Enterprise Ireland involvement for assessment.

Timelines: Typically a few months.

Practical tip: A warm introduction via Enterprise Ireland or a reputable incubator improves application quality. Your business plan should tie to Ireland’s clusters (medtech, fintech, SaaS).

France – French Tech Visa (Passeport Talent)

Good for: Tech founders, startup employees, and investors.

Basics: For founders, two main routes: “business creation” or the French Tech-backed innovative project. Often requires acceptance into a recognized incubator/accelerator or proof of funding/IP. Valid up to 4 years, renewable. Family gets work authorization.

Where to apply: France-Visas portal and the ANEF platform; consular appointment required.

Timelines: 1–3 months is common.

Practical tip: The incubator letter is powerful—choose one aligned with your sector. Prepare a crisp French market thesis and show how operations will be in France (office, customers, partnerships).

Spain – Entrepreneur Visa (Ley 14/2013) and Startup Law routes

Good for: Innovative projects, including SaaS, deep tech, and digital ventures.

Basics: Submit a business plan that demonstrates innovation and national interest. Evaluated by UGE with input from ENISA or other bodies. Digital nomad routes exist but are separate and less robust for company building.

Where to apply: UGE (Large Companies Unit) or consulate; some founders switch in-country.

Timelines: Often 1–3 months after a complete file.

Practical tip: Be specific about how your startup contributes to Spain—hiring plans, collaboration with universities, or pilots with Spanish companies. A lazy, generic plan gets rejected.

Portugal – D2 Entrepreneur and Startup Visa

Good for: Solo founders and small teams wanting an EU base and friendlier lifestyle.

Basics: D2 requires a viable business plan, Portuguese company setup or intent, sufficient means, and, ideally, local economic ties (lease, bank account, clients). The Startup Visa involves incubator endorsement via IAPMEI.

Where to apply: Portuguese consulate or AIMA post-arrival. Startup Visa via IAPMEI first.

Timelines: D2 can take 4–12+ months depending on backlog; Startup Visa varies.

Practical tip: Backlogs are real. Strengthen your file with a lease, a Portuguese accountant, and letters of intent from customers/partners. Startup Visa success rises with incubators who engage you pre-application.

Netherlands – Startup Visa and DAFT

Good for: Early-stage founders; US and Japanese founders have a special track.

Basics: The Startup Visa grants 1 year to build with a recognized “facilitator” (incubator). After that, transition to the self-employed permit on a points system. US and Japanese citizens can use DAFT (Dutch-American Friendship Treaty) for a simpler self-employed route with modest capital.

Where to apply: IND (Immigration and Naturalisation Service).

Timelines: Often 2–6 months.

Practical tip: Pick a facilitator who actually coaches you; IND notices cookie-cutter relationships. For DAFT, prepare a clean business plan and proof of funds.

Germany – Self-Employment (Section 21) and Freelance Permit

Good for: Founders with a strong German market case, especially in B2B.

Basics: Show economic interest, viability, financing, and benefits for the region. Freelance permits suit consultants, designers, and developers. Cities weigh local benefit—letters from German clients help.

Where to apply: Local immigration office (Ausländerbehörde) after consular entry in many cases.

Timelines: 2–4 months in smaller cities, often longer in Berlin/Munich.

Practical tip: Apply where your sector is active but processing isn’t glacial (think Hamburg, Düsseldorf, Cologne). A local chamber of commerce letter moves the needle.

Estonia – Startup Visa (don’t confuse with e‑Residency)

Good for: Software and tech startups that can scale quickly with lean teams.

Basics: Get confirmed as a “startup” by Estonia’s committee, then apply for a visa or temporary residence. e‑Residency only lets you run a company remotely—it isn’t immigration status.

Where to apply: Estonian Police and Border Guard Board; initial startup evaluation online.

Timelines: Startup evaluation in weeks; residence processing 1–2 months afterward.

Practical tip: Emphasize tech novelty and growth potential. Estonia loves clear, product-led growth and scrappy teams.

Denmark – Startup Denmark

Good for: Innovative founders aiming for a stable Nordic base.

Basics: Approval from the Startup Denmark panel, significant ownership, and an operational plan. Spouses can work.

Where to apply: SIRI (Danish Agency for International Recruitment and Integration).

Timelines: Typically a couple of months.

Practical tip: Denmark looks for real novelty and market edge. Include clear go-to-market and realistic financials; the panel includes practitioners.

Sweden – Self-Employed Residence Permit

Good for: Experienced entrepreneurs with capital and sector expertise.

Basics: Requires relevant experience, funds for support, and a plan to run the business in Sweden. Tougher than peers due to high standards and language considerations.

Where to apply: Swedish Migration Agency.

Timelines: Often several months.

Practical tip: Pair your application with proof of Swedish contacts and customer interest. Plan for Swedish accounting and compliance from day one.

Malta – Start-Up Residence Programme

Good for: Founders seeking an English-speaking EU base with favorable tax planning options.

Basics: Recognized innovative business, minimum paid-up share capital (commonly €25,000+ depending on structure), and tangible presence (lease, staff). Founders and key employees eligible.

Where to apply: Residency Malta Agency.

Timelines: Frequently ~3 months for a clean file.

Practical tip: Malta wants substance. A serviced office, local advisors, and early hires or contractors help.

Italy – Italia Startup Visa

Good for: Founders integrating into Italy’s growing startup ecosystem.

Basics: Committee-vetted application or endorsement by a certified incubator; expected investment commitment (commonly around €50,000). Visa issuance follows a “nulla osta” clearance.

Where to apply: Online committee application, then consulate.

Timelines: Committee decisions can be quick; consular processing varies.

Practical tip: An incubator invitation streamlines approval. Tie your sector to Italian strengths (design, manufacturing, robotics, foodtech, fashiontech).

Lithuania and Latvia – Startup Visas

Good for: Early-stage founders building in the Baltics with EU access.

Basics: Innovative business, incubator or agency support, and credible plan. Lithuania’s program is facilitated by Enterprise Lithuania; Latvia’s by LIAA.

Where to apply: National migration departments after agency endorsement.

Timelines: Often 1–3 months.

Practical tip: These are founder-friendly ecosystems with practical regulators. A pilot with a local corporate partner boosts your odds.

Czech Republic and Poland – Business-Based Residence

Good for: Founders willing to tackle paperwork for Central European bases.

Basics: Czech long-term business visa (often using a trade license) and Poland’s temporary residence for business require real activity and, for extensions, revenue or employment metrics.

Where to apply: Consulate and local offices.

Timelines: Can be long—build buffer.

Practical tip: Work with local counsel early. Keep immaculate records and prepare for in-person checks.

Middle East

United Arab Emirates (UAE) – Company-based Residence and Golden Visa

Good for: Fast setup, zero personal income tax, regional access.

Basics: Set up a company in a free zone or mainland; residency visas for founders and staff. Golden Visa options exist for entrepreneurs and investors with substantial achievements/funding.

Where to apply: Through the free zone authority or mainland channels (ICP/GDRFA).

Timelines: Weeks, not months, for standard company visas.

Practical tip: Choose your free zone based on your activity, banking needs, and sponsor flexibility—not just price. Budget realistically: $3,000–$10,000+ for setup and first-year costs.

Saudi Arabia – Entrepreneur and Investor Residency

Good for: Founders targeting the Gulf’s largest market and government-backed sectors.

Basics: Routes include licenses via MISA for company formation and new premium residency categories for entrepreneurs with incubator backing or VC funding.

Where to apply: MISA for licenses; Ministry of Interior/Premium Residency Center for premium routes.

Timelines: Improving; expect varied timeframes.

Practical tip: Partner early with a local accelerator or corporate. Saudi evaluators prize local impact, Saudization-friendly hiring, and sector alignment (fintech, logistics, gaming, clean energy).

Asia-Pacific

Singapore – EntrePass

Good for: Ambitious tech or deep-tech founders who value a world-class business hub.

Basics: Targeted at innovative businesses backed by accredited investors/incubators, IP, or strong research. Company can be new or under 6 months. Renewals tied to revenue and hiring milestones.

Where to apply: Ministry of Manpower (MOM), with Enterprise Singapore input.

Timelines: Usually 6–8 weeks.

Practical tip: If you can’t qualify for EntrePass, consider an Employment Pass as a founder if you can meet salary and company requirements. Singapore expects crisp execution.

Hong Kong – Entry for Investment as Entrepreneur

Good for: Founders building in a low-tax, open economy with China access.

Basics: Demonstrate a good business plan, capital, job creation, and local contribution. Seven years of residency can lead to permanent residence.

Where to apply: Hong Kong Immigration Department.

Timelines: 4–8 weeks commonly.

Practical tip: InvestHK offers free advisory. A serviced office, first hires, and local contracts strengthen your file.

Japan – Business Manager Visa

Good for: Founders opening a Japanese entity and office.

Basics: Set up a company with appropriate capital (commonly around JPY 5 million) or hire at least two full-time employees; lease a physical office; present a business plan.

Where to apply: Immigration Services Agency of Japan; consulate for entry.

Timelines: A few months if documents are tight.

Practical tip: The physical office is non-negotiable. Use a bilingual legal/accounting team and plan for cultural onboarding.

South Korea – D‑8 Investment and Startup Visas

Good for: Tech founders entering a highly connected market.

Basics: D‑8‑1 for corporate investment generally requires meaningful capital; D‑8‑4 targets startups with endorsement or IP. Expect to show innovation and feasibility.

Where to apply: Korean immigration with support from startup agencies for D‑8‑4.

Timelines: Variable; 1–3 months.

Practical tip: University and government incubators can open doors. Local mentors help you navigate banking and office requirements.

Taiwan – Entrepreneur Visa

Good for: Early-stage founders leveraging accelerators and R&D.

Basics: Multiple eligibility paths—accelerator participation, IP/patents, government grants, or investment thresholds. Initial 1-year stay, extendable with progress and revenue/job creation.

Where to apply: Taipei Economic and Cultural Offices (TECO) abroad and National Immigration Agency.

Timelines: Often weeks to a couple of months.

Practical tip: Accelerator acceptance is a strong route. Line up a co-working office and local service providers before landing.

Thailand – SMART Visa (Startup)

Good for: Tech startup founders who plan to build in Thailand.

Basics: Participation in government-approved incubation/acceleration or investment commitments. Offers longer stay and work privileges.

Where to apply: SMART Visa Unit (BOI) and immigration.

Timelines: Weeks to a few months.

Practical tip: Business model clarity is essential. Demonstrate “smart” sector alignment like automation, biotech, or digital.

Malaysia – Tech Entrepreneur Pass (MTEP)

Good for: Tech founders with a Malaysia build plan.

Basics: Endorsement through MDEC for new or established tech entrepreneurs. Requires a plan, funds, and local presence.

Where to apply: Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) and immigration.

Timelines: Variable; build buffer.

Practical tip: Work with MDEC early. Tie your plan to hiring Malaysians and ecosystem engagement.

Indonesia – Investor KITAS (via PT PMA)

Good for: Founders building operations in Southeast Asia’s largest economy.

Basics: Incorporate a foreign-owned company (PT PMA) with the required investment plan and shareholding. Investor KITAS grants 2–5 years of stay without a traditional work permit.

Where to apply: OSS (BKPM) for company setup; Indonesian immigration for KITAS.

Timelines: 1–3 months typical.

Practical tip: Capital planning is key. Use a reputable corporate services firm to avoid compliance pitfalls.

Australia and New Zealand – Current landscape

Australia: The traditional Business Innovation & Investment Program is being wound down. Watch for the upcoming innovation-focused visa and consider the Global Talent Visa if you’re a standout founder.

New Zealand: Entrepreneur Work Visa is closed; Active Investor Plus targets high-value investors rather than operators.

Africa

Mauritius – Occupation Permit (Investor/Innovator)

Good for: Founders seeking a stable, English-speaking base with appealing tax.

Basics: Investor Occupation Permit typically requires capital injection (commonly around USD 50,000) or revenue thresholds; Innovator route is available for novel ventures.

Where to apply: Economic Development Board (EDB) Mauritius; appointments are efficient.

Timelines: Often weeks.

Practical tip: Mauritius is underrated for fintech and back-office hubs. Show substance—local staff, office, and compliance.

Latin America

Chile – Start‑Up Chile + visas

Good for: Early-stage, high-potential startups seeking equity-free funding and a soft landing.

Basics: Competitive accelerator with equity-free grants and visa support. Several tracks exist depending on stage.

Where to apply: Start‑Up Chile’s application cycles; immigration follows.

Timelines: Batch-driven; plan your runway accordingly.

Practical tip: The application is merit-based. Traction, team caliber, and global potential matter more than polished design.

Panama – Friendly Nations Residency (entrepreneur pathway)

Good for: Founders wanting a flexible base and territorial tax system.

Basics: Friendly Nations route offers a path to residency with an economic link—company formation paired with employment or other qualifying ties can work with proper structuring.

Where to apply: National Immigration Service through a local attorney.

Timelines: Months; rules evolve, so use current counsel.

Practical tip: Work with a seasoned firm; policy tweaks are frequent. Build a real presence to avoid renewal headaches.

Brazil – Investor/Innovator Visa

Good for: Founders entering a massive consumer market.

Basics: Investor visa via company investment; lower thresholds may apply for innovation/tech projects backed by approved programs.

Where to apply: Ministry of Justice/Federal Police; consular entry.

Timelines: Variable.

Practical tip: Banking and bureaucracy are non-trivial. Partner locally and build bilingual operations.

Your application playbook: step-by-step

Clarify your objective

Market access vs. tax optimization vs. speed vs. PR path.

Decide if your business is “innovative” in the program’s sense or better suited to self-employed/investor categories.

Shortlist 3–5 countries

Match eligibility with your stage, budget, and family needs.

Check spouse work rights, school options, and healthcare.

Gather the right evidence

Business plan tuned to local reviewers: market size, competition, go-to-market, 24-month financials, hiring, local impact.

Traction: revenue, users, LOIs, pilots, letters from partners/investors.

Founder credibility: CVs, prior exits, patents, awards, accelerator letters.

Financials: bank statements, cap table, investment agreements, source-of-funds.

Line up endorsements or facilitators

For programs like Canada SUV, UK Innovator Founder, Netherlands Startup, or France Tech, build relationships with accredited incubators. Expect interviews and due diligence.

Incorporate smartly (if required)

Open a company once your immigration counsel says it’s time. Some programs prefer you incorporate after pre-approval.

Set up a local bank account and a registered address. In some countries, a physical office lease is mandatory.

Prepare personal compliance

Police certificates, translations, apostilles, medical exams, and insurance. These take time—start early.

Apply through the correct channel

Many applications start online, then move to consulates or in-country biometrics. Follow the precise instructions; governments penalize improvisation.

Prepare for interviews

Some panels and consulates will test your understanding of the local market and your commitment. Be prepared with specifics.

Land and activate

Collect your residence card, register your address, enroll in healthcare if applicable, and open tax files. Set up payroll if hiring.

Operate and report

Stay on top of renewal requirements: revenue, job creation, progress reports, and local taxes. Missed obligations can sink extensions.

Funding and endorsements: what gatekeepers look for

Having sat on review panels and guided clients through them, I can tell you the checkboxes aren’t as mysterious as people think:

Novelty and defensibility: A “me too” product rarely qualifies for startup tracks. Show IP, data moats, or a process edge.

Team capability: Reviewers back people even more than ideas. Prior domain wins, balanced skill sets, and committed co-founders help.

Evidence of demand: Intro letters are weak; pilots, paid users, or strong LOIs carry weight.

Realistic financials: Hockey-stick charts without inputs get flagged. Tie projections to conversion rates and costs that match local reality.

Local benefit: Hiring locals, partnering with universities, contributing to clusters—detail how and when.

Execution plan: 12–24 month roadmap with weekly/quarterly milestones, not just a vision.

Common acceptance dynamics:

Endorsing bodies and incubators accept a small fraction of applicants, with top programs taking a sliver. Tailor deeply rather than batch-applying with generic decks.

Warm intros help, but a sharp application wins. Send a two-page brief first; if there’s interest, follow with the full plan.

Common mistakes (and how to avoid them)

Confusing e‑Residency with residency: Estonia’s e‑Residency is a digital ID for business administration, not a living permit.

Buying endorsements: Authorities spot sponsorships without substance. Build genuine relationships and traction.

Weak local plan: “We’ll explore the market” is not a strategy. Name target customers, sales channels, and the first 3 hires.

Undercapitalization: Many founders underestimate initial costs (legal, accounting, deposits). Add a 30% buffer.

Ignoring tax: Cross-border founders often trigger tax residency or permanent establishment by accident. Get advice before you invoice.

Poor documentation hygiene: Missing apostilles, inconsistent cap tables, unsigned term sheets—these stall files for months.

Choosing the wrong city: Landing in overburdened hubs (Berlin, Lisbon) can double processing times. Consider strong secondary cities.

Overpromising on jobs: Authorities remember promises. Set conservative, credible hiring plans—and hit them.

Neglecting spouse’s career: Some visas don’t grant spouse work rights. This torpedoes relocations more than people admit.

Costs and timelines: realistic ranges

Government fees: $300–$3,000 for most entrepreneur visas; biometrics and health checks extra.

Legal and advisory: $2,000–$15,000 depending on complexity and country.

Company setup: $500–$5,000+ (UAE and some hubs can be $3,000–$10,000 in year one).

Time to approval:

Fast lanes (UAE, HK, Singapore, Malta): 2–10 weeks.

Moderate (UK, Ireland, France, Netherlands, Denmark): 1–3 months.

Slow/backlogged (Portugal D2, Canada PR): 6–36 months; consider interim work permits.

Living with the visa: obligations and renewals

Job creation and revenue: Many programs expect 1–3 local hires or meeting revenue/milestones by renewal. Document everything.

Reporting: Endorsing bodies and immigration authorities may require periodic reports. Put it on your quarterly ops cadence.

Physical presence: Count days. If PR or citizenship is your goal, manage travel carefully.

Taxes: Register correctly for VAT/GST/payroll. Use local bookkeeping—authorities dislike global spreadsheets.

Health insurance and social security: Mandatory in many countries; plan costs into compensation.

Scenarios: matching founders to programs

Pre-seed SaaS founder with small angel round, wants EU base and community

Consider: Estonia Startup Visa (if tech-forward), Netherlands Startup Visa with a strong facilitator, Malta Startup Residence, or France via incubator acceptance.

Why: Fast-ish processing and strong ecosystems for B2B SaaS.

Solo consultant/developer switching to product, moderate savings, needs affordability

Consider: Germany freelance visa (with German clients), Portugal D2 with a hybrid plan, Czech business visa if you can handle paperwork.

Why: Lower cost of entry and tolerance for mixed services-to-product transitions.

Growth-stage founder with $1m+ raised, needs APAC HQ

Consider: Singapore EntrePass/EP, Hong Kong entrepreneur visa, Japan Business Manager if Japan is core to your market.

Why: Banking, fundraising, and regional hiring advantages.

US market is essential, non-treaty nationality, strong CV but early traction

Consider: O‑1A via achievements, IEP if you can hit the funding/grant criteria, build traction via a top US accelerator.

Why: No direct US startup PR; you need profile or funding to unlock viable routes.

Middle East expansion with B2B product, desire for fast landing

Consider: UAE free zone setup for operational speed and visas; for KSA market entry, secure a Saudi partner, MISA license, and explore entrepreneur premium residency track.

Why: Speed in UAE, market access in KSA.

The application assets that consistently win

A 12–18 slide deck tuned to the country’s review criteria.

A 20–30 page business plan with real numbers: pricing, CAC/LTV logic, unit economics, and hiring plan with costs in local currency.

Letters from local partners or clients (on letterhead) with specifics: scope, value, and timing.

Proof of funds matched to your plan plus a runway buffer.

Evidence of founder credibility: prior exits, code repos, patents, media, accelerator credentials.

Operations plan: office (even co-working), legal and accounting retainers, and a local bank account timeline.

Final checklist before you apply

Country fit

Have I ranked countries by market fit, speed, budget, and PR path?

Eligibility

Do I clearly match each program’s criteria without hair-splitting?

Endorsement

Do I have an incubator/facilitator lined up where required?

Documentation

Are police clearances, translations, and apostilles in progress?

Company

Do I know when to incorporate to avoid premature tax triggers?

Financial plan

Do I have 12–18 months of runway in the destination, including a 30% buffer?

Family plan

Do spouse and kids have clear visa status and school plans?

Tax and compliance

Have I mapped PE risk, tax residency thresholds, VAT, and payroll obligations?

Timeline

Is my move synchronized with product milestones and fundraising cycles?

Contingency

Do I have a second-choice program ready if the first stalls?

Building a company is hard enough. The right residency strategy reduces friction, increases your options, and helps you hire, sell, and fundraise where it counts. Put in the work up front—tailor your story, back it with evidence, and pick jurisdictions that match your ambition and your calendar. That’s how founders move quickly without stepping on immigration landmines.