Founder Visa Guides by Country
What active founders need to know about residency programs in the top startup-friendly countries.
Informational only, not legal advice
Australia
Business Innovation and Investment Visa (Subclass 188 / 888)
Australia business investor visa 2026: what founders need to qualify, how to apply, costs, timelines, and the Business Innovation and Investment Visa (Subclass 188 / 888) requirements.
Last verified
Brazil
Brazil Tech Visa (VITEM XIV / VIPER)
Brazil tech professional residency visa 2026: what founders need to qualify, how to apply, costs, timelines, and the Brazil Tech Visa (VITEM XIV / VIPER) requirements.
Last verified
Canada
Canada Start-Up Visa (SUV) Program
Canada permanent residency via startup 2026: what founders need to qualify, how to apply, costs, timelines, and the Canada Start-Up Visa (SUV) Program requirements.
Last verified
Chile
Start-Up Chile (Visa Tech Profesional)
Chile accelerator-linked entrepreneur visa 2026: what founders need to qualify, how to apply, costs, timelines, and the Start-Up Chile (Visa Tech Profesional) requirements.
Last verified
Czechia
Czech Business Visa (Long-term Visa for Business)
Czechia long-term business visa 2026: what founders need to qualify, how to apply, costs, timelines, and the Czech Business Visa (Long-term Visa for Business) requirements.
Last verified
Estonia
Startup Visa (Startup Estonia)
Estonia Startup Visa: 5-year residency, fully digital application, EU access. What founders need in 2026 and how the Startup Includer evaluation works.
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France
French Tech Visa (Passeport Talent)
The French Tech Visa fast-tracks 4-year residency for founders. Eligibility, costs, La French Tech criteria and the post-arrival fundraising plan.
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Germany
Self-Employment Visa (§21 AufenthG)
Germany has no formal startup visa, but the §21 self-employment visa works for founders. Berlin tech scene, costs, requirements and what 2026 founders should know.
Last verified
Ireland
STEP (Start-up Entrepreneur Programme)
Ireland entrepreneur residency programme 2026: what founders need to qualify, how to apply, costs, timelines, and the STEP (Start-up Entrepreneur Programme) requirements.
Last verified
Israel
Israel Innovation Visa (5-year track)
Israel innovation visa 2026: what founders need to qualify, how to apply, costs, timelines, and the Israel Innovation Visa (5-year track) requirements.
Last verified
Japan
Japan Startup Visa (Tokyo / Fukuoka / regional)
Japan startup visa (regional zones) 2026: what founders need to qualify, how to apply, costs, timelines, and the Japan Startup Visa (Tokyo / Fukuoka / regional) requirements.
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Latvia
Latvia Startup Visa
Latvia startup visa 2026: what founders need to qualify, how to apply, costs, timelines, and the Latvia Startup Visa requirements.
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Lithuania
Startup Visa Lithuania
Lithuania startup visa 2026: what founders need to qualify, how to apply, costs, timelines, and the Startup Visa Lithuania requirements.
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Mexico
Mexico Temporary Resident Visa (Entrepreneur category)
Mexico temporary resident visa for entrepreneurs 2026: what founders need to qualify, how to apply, costs, timelines, and the Mexico Temporary Resident Visa (Entrepreneur category) requirements.
Last verified
Netherlands
Netherlands Startup Visa (Residence Permit for Startups)
Netherlands startup residency visa 2026: what founders need to qualify, how to apply, costs, timelines, and the Netherlands Startup Visa (Residence Permit for Startups) requirements.
Last verified
New Zealand
New Zealand Entrepreneur Work Visa
New Zealand entrepreneur work visa 2026: what founders need to qualify, how to apply, costs, timelines, and the New Zealand Entrepreneur Work Visa requirements.
Last verified
Poland
Poland Business Harbour (PBH)
Poland simplified tech founder relocation programme 2026: what founders need to qualify, how to apply, costs, timelines, and the Poland Business Harbour (PBH) requirements.
Last verified
Portugal
Portugal D2 Entrepreneur Visa
Portugal entrepreneur residency visa 2026: what founders need to qualify, how to apply, costs, timelines, and the Portugal D2 Entrepreneur Visa requirements.
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Singapore
EntrePass
Singapore entrepreneur pass 2026: what founders need to qualify, how to apply, costs, timelines, and the EntrePass requirements.
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South Korea
D-8-4 Tech Start-Up Visa
South Korea tech entrepreneur visa 2026: what founders need to qualify, how to apply, costs, timelines, and the D-8-4 Tech Start-Up Visa requirements.
Last verified
Spain
Spain Entrepreneur Visa (Ley 14/2013)
Spain entrepreneur visa 2026: what founders need to qualify, how to apply, costs, timelines, and the Spain Entrepreneur Visa (Ley 14/2013) requirements.
Last verified
Thailand
Thailand SMART Visa (Tech Entrepreneur)
Thailand SMART visa (T - entrepreneur track) 2026: what founders need to qualify, how to apply, costs, timelines, and the Thailand SMART Visa (Tech Entrepreneur) requirements.
Last verified
United Arab Emirates
UAE Golden Visa (Long-term Residence)
United Arab Emirates 10-year long-term residence visa 2026: what founders need to qualify, how to apply, costs, timelines, and the UAE Golden Visa (Long-term Residence) requirements.
Last verified
United Kingdom
Innovator Founder Visa
The UK Innovator Founder visa requires endorsement, not funding. Here is what 2026 founders need: endorsing bodies, costs, timeline and how to qualify.
Last verified
United States
IER, O-1A, EB-1A, EB-2 NIW
USA has no formal startup visa. Here are the four real paths funded founders use: International Entrepreneur Rule, O-1A, EB-1A and EB-2 NIW.
Last verified