Entrepreneur and founder visas — building a business abroad
Entrepreneur visas let founders establish or operate a business in the destination. Most require a viable business plan, modest capital, and — for innovation-focused variants — endorsement by an accredited incubator or facilitator. Examples include the UK Innovator Founder, Germany's §21 self-employment route, and the Dutch Startup Visa.
Typical characteristics
- Business plan typically required, often with third-party endorsement.
- Capital thresholds vary widely: €4,500 (DAFT) to £50,000+ (UK Innovator Founder).
- Most require the founder to be substantively active in running the business.
- Many lead to settlement once the business meets defined growth or revenue criteria.