Last Update: 12 November 2026

Investor Visa Programmes: Countries & Requirements

Several countries offer immigration pathways for entrepreneurs, business owners, high-net-worth individuals and investors. Depending on the country and programme, applicants may qualify for temporary residence, permanent residence or, eventually, citizenship after meeting the applicable legal requirements. However, not every investor visa grants permanent residency, and residency by investment is not the same as citizenship by investment.

Traditional investor programmes in Canada and Australia have undergone significant changes. Canada's Start-up Visa intake is paused, while Australia's Business Innovation and Investment Program has closed to new applications.

Applicants from the UAE can instead explore currently available options such as the UAE Golden Visa, Malta Permanent Residence Programme, Greece Golden Visa, selected Canadian Provincial Nominee Program entrepreneur streams, Germany's self-employment residence permit and the UK's Innovator Founder route. The right programme depends on your investment capacity, business experience, source of funds, family requirements and long-term immigration objectives.

Investor Visa Programmes: Key Facts

• Open programmes: UAE Golden Visa, Malta MPRP, Greece Golden Visa, selected Canadian PNP entrepreneur streams, Germany self-employment residence permits and UK Innovator Founder.
• Closed or paused programmes: Canada Start-up Visa (paused to new applicants); Australia BIIP (closed to new applications); UK Tier 1 Investor Visa (closed).
• Australia's replacement pathway: National Innovation Visa (subclass 858), an invitation-only permanent visa.
• UAE Golden Visa investment benchmark: AED 2 million for qualifying public investment or real estate investor categories.
• Malta MPRP property benchmark: €375,000 purchase or €14,000 annual qualifying rent, plus programme fees and contributions.
• Greece Golden Visa property benchmark: €800,000 in specified high-demand areas and €400,000 in other eligible areas, subject to qualifying conditions.
• Canada entrepreneur pathways: Provincial requirements vary. Alberta's Rural Entrepreneur Stream, for example, requires at least CAD 100,000 business investment and CAD 300,000 net worth.

*Want to migrate abroad? Contact Y-Axis for complete guidance

Why Settle Abroad as an Entrepreneur?

Entrepreneur and investor visa programmes offer opportunities for business owners, investors and their families to establish themselves in international markets while accessing new business and lifestyle opportunities.

• Access Global Business Markets: Establish or expand your business in international markets and connect with global customers, investors and business networks.
• Secure Long-Term Residency: Qualify for long-term or permanent residency through eligible entrepreneur, business investment and residency-by-investment programmes.
• Relocate with Your Family: Include eligible dependents, such as your spouse and children, under applicable family sponsorship provisions.
• Access Quality Education and Healthcare: Benefit from the host country's education and healthcare systems, subject to residency conditions, insurance requirements and local eligibility rules.
• Explore International Investment Opportunities: Diversify your business and investment portfolio by accessing new markets and investment environments.
• Benefit from Business-Friendly Environments: Explore countries offering supportive business regulations, innovation ecosystems, investment incentives and entrepreneurship opportunities.
• Expand Your Professional Network: Connect with international entrepreneurs, industry leaders, business incubators and potential business partners.
• Explore Pathways to Permanent Residency and Citizenship: Some entrepreneur and investor programmes may lead to permanent residency or citizenship through separate eligibility and naturalisation requirements.

Eligibility for Entrepreneurs & Investors

Different countries have different eligibility requirements for entrepreneur visas, investor residency and business immigration programmes. However, applicants are generally assessed on their financial capacity, business experience, investment plans and ability to meet the country's immigration requirements.

The general eligibility criteria for entrepreneurs and investors include:

• Sufficient Financial Resources: Demonstrate adequate personal funds, business capital or qualifying investment funds to meet the programme requirements.
• Business or Entrepreneurial Experience: Have relevant experience in business ownership, management, entrepreneurship or investment, depending on the visa category.
• Viable Business or Investment Plan: Submit a credible business proposal or demonstrate that the proposed investment meets the country's qualifying criteria.
• Verified Source of Funds: Provide evidence of the legal origin of investment funds, banking records and financial documents.
• Good Character: Meet the country's police clearance, background verification and immigration compliance requirements.
• Health Requirements: Meet applicable medical examination and health insurance requirements.
• Language Proficiency: Demonstrate the required level of English or the local language, where applicable.
• Business and Financial Documentation: Provide relevant business registrations, financial statements, ownership records, tax documents and proof of assets.
• Family Eligibility: Meet the applicable requirements for including a spouse and dependent children in the application.

Note: Eligibility requirements vary significantly by country and immigration category. Some programmes require active business management, while others accept qualifying property or financial investments. Meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee visa approval.

Top Countries for Investment and Entrepreneur Residency

Several countries offer residency and business immigration pathways to international entrepreneurs, investors, business owners and high-net-worth individuals (HNWIs). These programmes aim to attract business investment, innovation, entrepreneurship and economic development. Depending on the country, eligible applicants may establish a new business, invest in an existing enterprise, purchase qualifying property or demonstrate exceptional entrepreneurial achievements.

The top countries to consider for investment and entrepreneur residency:

• UAE: The UAE Golden Visa offers long-term residency to eligible investors and entrepreneurs, including qualifying real estate and public investment categories.
• Malta: The Malta Permanent Residence Programme (MPRP) offers permanent residence to eligible non-EU nationals who meet the financial, property and due diligence requirements.
• Greece: The Greece Golden Visa provides renewable residency to eligible non-EU investors through qualifying property and other permitted investments.
• Canada: Selected Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) entrepreneur streams offer business immigration opportunities to eligible entrepreneurs willing to establish or operate businesses in participating provinces.
• Germany: Germany's self-employment residence permit allows eligible entrepreneurs to establish or operate a business, subject to commercial, financial and economic requirements.
• United Kingdom: The Innovator Founder Visa provides an immigration route for entrepreneurs establishing innovative, viable and scalable businesses with an approved endorsement.
• Australia: The National Innovation Visa (subclass 858) provides an invitation-only permanent residency pathway for individuals with internationally recognised exceptional achievements, including eligible entrepreneurs and innovative investors.

Citizenship by Investment vs Residency by Investment

Citizenship by investment and residency by investment are two different immigration arrangements. Citizenship by investment grants citizenship directly through a qualifying investment under a country's citizenship legislation. Residency by investment grants permission to live in a country, subject to programme conditions. Citizenship may become possible later through a separate naturalisation process.

The following traditional investor routes should not be advertised as open citizenship or investor visa programmes:

These closures do not mean that all business, entrepreneur or skilled migration routes in these countries are unavailable. Applicants should investigate alternative immigration categories.

Best Investor Visa and Business Migration Options

The following programmes provide alternative opportunities for eligible international investors, entrepreneurs and business owners.

UAE Golden Visa

The UAE Golden Visa offers long-term residency to qualifying investors, entrepreneurs and other eligible categories. For public investment, applicants may qualify through a deposit or company investment of at least AED 2 million, subject to the applicable conditions. Real estate investors may qualify with property holdings worth at least AED 2 million. The programme also has separate eligibility requirements for entrepreneurs and other professional categories.

Residency: Generally 10 years for qualifying investor categories.

Official source: UAE Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs & Port Security.

Malta Permanent Residence Programme (MPRP)

Malta's Permanent Residence Programme provides qualifying non-EU, non-EEA and non-Swiss nationals with permanent residence. Applicants must satisfy the financial asset requirements, due diligence checks and property conditions.

The property requirement includes:

• Purchase of qualifying property worth at least €375,000; or
• Lease of qualifying residential property for at least €14,000 annually.

Additional requirements include a €60,000 administrative fee, a €37,000 government contribution and an eligible charitable donation. Applicants must also demonstrate qualifying capital assets.

Residency: Permanent residence, subject to programme conditions.

Greece Golden Visa

Greece offers residence permits to eligible non-EU nationals who make qualifying investments. The minimum real estate investment depends on the location:

• €800,000 in Attica, Thessaloniki, Mykonos, Santorini and specified islands.
• €400,000 in other eligible areas.
• €250,000 for certain qualifying property conversions and restoration projects, subject to specific conditions.

Other qualifying investment categories may have different requirements.

Residency: Renewable residence permit, subject to continued eligibility.

Canada Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) – Entrepreneur Streams

Canada's Start-up Visa programme is no longer accepting new general applications. However, eligible entrepreneurs can investigate provincial business immigration streams. Each participating province establishes its own eligibility, investment, net-worth and business ownership requirements.

For example, Alberta's Rural Entrepreneur Stream requires:

• Minimum personal net worth of CAD 300,000.
• Minimum business investment of CAD 100,000.
• At least 51% ownership for a new business, or 100% ownership for an eligible business succession.

Applicants must also meet the programme's experience, language, business proposal and community support requirements.

Residency: Provincial nomination followed by a separate permanent residence application, subject to federal approval.

Germany Self-Employment Residence Permit

Germany provides a residence permit for eligible entrepreneurs under Section 21 of its Residence Act. There is no single fixed minimum investment amount applicable to every applicant. Applicants generally need to demonstrate:

• Commercial interest or regional demand for the proposed business.
• A positive economic impact.
• Secured financing through personal capital or a loan commitment.
• A convincing business plan.
• Sufficient financial means to support themselves and their family.

A settlement permit may become available after three years for eligible self-employed business owners who meet the required conditions.

Residency: Temporary residence with a potential settlement pathway.

UK Innovator Founder Visa

The UK Innovator Founder route is designed for entrepreneurs who intend to establish an innovative, viable and scalable business. Applicants must obtain endorsement from an approved endorsing body and demonstrate their active role in developing the business. There is no universal minimum investment amount of £2 million under this route. Applicants must demonstrate appropriate business funding and meet the separate personal maintenance, English-language and other immigration requirements.

Residency: Initial permission for up to three years, with a possible settlement route after three years if all relevant requirements are met.

Australia National Innovation Visa (subclass 858)

Australia replaced its former Business Innovation and Investment Programme with the National Innovation Visa. The NIV is an invitation-only permanent visa for exceptionally talented individuals with internationally recognised achievements.

Eligible profiles can include:

• Entrepreneurs.
• Innovative investors.
• Researchers and academics.
• Established professionals.
• Athletes and creative professionals.

There is no prescribed minimum investment amount. Applicants must demonstrate exceptional achievements, obtain a qualifying nomination and receive an invitation before applying.

Residency: Permanent residence, subject to approval.

Canada Start-up Visa Programme

Canada's Start-up Visa (SUV) Programme is paused to new applicants and should no longer be promoted as an open immigration option. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada announced that new applications would stop being accepted after 31 December 2025, with a limited exception for applicants holding valid 2025 commitment certificates. The final application deadline for those eligible applicants was 30 June 2026. As of November 2026, the programme is not accepting new applications. The previously published investment figures of CAD 200,000 for venture capital support and CAD 75,000 for angel investor support should therefore not be presented as current entry requirements for a new application.

Alternative: Provincial Nominee Entrepreneur Streams

Eligible business owners may investigate Canada's Provincial Nominee Program entrepreneur categories. These programmes are administered by individual provinces and may require:

• Minimum personal net worth.
• A qualifying business investment.
• Business ownership or management experience.
• A detailed business plan.
• Active participation in business operations.
• Job creation and local economic contribution.

Requirements differ by province, and programme intake may change. Applicants should check the relevant provincial immigration authority before making an investment.

Australia National Innovation Visa (Subclass 858)

Australia's Business Innovation and Investment Programme (BIIP), including the Subclass 188 streams, permanently closed to new applications on 31 July 2024. The former seven-stream Subclass 188 programme and its AUD 5 million Significant Investor pathway should not be advertised as available to new applicants.

What is the National Innovation Visa?

The National Innovation Visa (NIV), subclass 858, is an invitation-only permanent visa for exceptionally talented individuals with internationally recognised achievements. It is intended for established and emerging leaders who can contribute to Australia's economic growth, innovation and national priorities.

Eligible professional backgrounds include:

• Global researchers.
• Entrepreneurs.
• Innovative investors.
• Athletes.
• Creative professionals.

Eligibility requirements

Applicants generally need to:

• Demonstrate internationally recognised exceptional achievements.
• Submit an Expression of Interest.
• Receive an invitation from the Australian Department of Home Affairs.
• Obtain a nomination from an eligible Australian individual or organisation.
• Demonstrate their ability to establish themselves in Australia.
• Meet health, character and other applicable visa requirements.

There is no prescribed minimum investment amount for the NIV.

Benefits

• Permanent Australian residence.
• Permission to work and study.
• Access to Medicare, subject to eligibility.
• Ability to sponsor eligible family members.
• Potential eligibility for Australian citizenship after meeting the applicable requirements.

Important: The National Innovation Visa is a talent-based migration pathway, not a direct replacement investor visa for the former Subclass 188 programme.

Germany Self-Employment Residence Permit

Germany does not offer a standard citizenship-by-investment programme or a universal investor visa with a fixed investment threshold. However, foreign entrepreneurs may qualify for a self-employment residence permit under Section 21 of the German Residence Act.

Eligibility requirements

Applicants must generally demonstrate:

• Commercial interest or regional demand for their proposed business.
• A positive economic impact on Germany.
• Adequate business financing through personal capital or a loan commitment.
• A convincing business plan.
• Sufficient financial resources to support themselves and their family.

Applicants over 45 may also need to demonstrate adequate retirement provisions.

Investment requirement

Germany does not prescribe a universal minimum investment amount for this residence permit. The financial requirement is assessed based on the business proposal, financing arrangements and individual circumstances.

Permanent settlement

Eligible self-employed business owners may apply for a settlement permit after three years if their business is successful and they can financially support themselves and their family.

How Y-Axis Can Help You?

Y-Axis helps investors and entrepreneurs make the right decisions with our comprehensive immigration solutions. We analyze the profiles and suggest the best solution for their personal and business goals.

Y-Axis will assist you in the following ways:

• Recognize the best residency program for you
• Counsel you about the finances and proof of funds to be demonstrated
• Advise you with the paperwork that is to be presented
• Assist you in filling out the forms
• Evaluate your papers and documentation before submission