Residence planning

Entrepreneur and startup residence routes

A founder’s best route depends on the business they intend to operate. Start with the work and evidence a programme expects, then compare immigration requirements with the practical demands of building the company.

Guide reviewed 2026-10-08 · Programme snapshots shown individually below

Explain the business in concrete terms

Prepare a short account of the product, customers, ownership, funding and your role. Check whether the route expects innovation, endorsement, local investment, hiring or an established trading history. These are different tests; a strong business does not automatically qualify for every founder programme.

Compare permission with milestones

Read the initial approval and renewal stages together. Ask how business progress is assessed, whether you can change the business model and what happens if a co-founder leaves. Confirm permission for your partner and any other work you intend to do.

Review the company as well as the founder

Personal relocation can affect how and where a business operates. Arrange a review of company management, payroll, social security and relevant tax obligations. Incorporating a company and obtaining personal residence are separate steps that should fit the same operating plan.

Explore programmes by country

127 directory entries across 103 countries. Closed routes, placeholder records and entries without a recorded official source are excluded. A listing does not confirm current availability or eligibility; follow the official source in each profile.

Albania →

Algeria →

Andorra →

Angola →

Anguilla →

Armenia →

Austria →

Bahrain →

Bangladesh →

Belgium →

Benin →

Bosnia and Herz. →

Botswana →

British Virgin Islands →

Bulgaria →

Cameroon →

Canada →

Cayman Islands →

China →

Colombia →

Côte d'Ivoire →

Croatia →

Cyprus →

Czechia →

Dem. Rep. Congo →

Denmark →

Egypt →

Estonia →

Eswatini →

Ethiopia →

Fiji →

Finland →

France →

Gabon →

Germany →

Ghana →

Greece →

Guernsey →

Guinea →

Guyana →

Hong Kong →

Hungary →

India →

Indonesia →

Ireland →

Isle of Man →

Italy →

Japan →

Jersey →

Kenya →

Kosovo →

Latvia →

Lithuania →

Luxembourg →

Madagascar →

Malawi →

Malta →

Mauritius →

Monaco →

Montenegro →

Morocco →

Namibia →

Nepal →

Netherlands →

New Zealand →

Nigeria →

North Macedonia →

Norway →

Oman →

Pakistan →

Panama →

Poland →

Portugal →

Qatar →

Romania →

Rwanda →

San Marino →

Saudi Arabia →

Senegal →

Serbia →

Seychelles →

Singapore →

  • EntrePass

    Recorded status: open · Snapshot: 2026-10

Slovakia →

Slovenia →

South Africa →

South Korea →

Spain →

Sri Lanka →

Sweden →

Switzerland →

Taiwan →

Tanzania →

Togo →

Tunisia →

Turkey →

Turks and Caicos Islands →

Uganda →

United Arab Emirates →

United Kingdom →

United States →

US Virgin Islands →

Zambia →

Zimbabwe →

Common questions

Is company registration enough to obtain residence?

Check the individual immigration route. A company registration should not be treated as evidence that a founder automatically has permission to live or work in the country.

Should I compare startup and investor routes together?

Yes, if both fit your plans. Compare the permitted activities, required capital, business obligations and renewal tests rather than choosing by the programme name.

Sources and scope

General planning information, not personalised tax, immigration or investment advice. The programme directory reflects recorded snapshots; the guide review date does not mean every programme has been reverified.

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