Introduction
Investor-Visa two words often thrown around in a bad light. However, that might be because most people in Western countries do not care or need them so they only hear the worst. For people elsewhere, they are an almost unattainable goal like a Ferrari to a teenager.
An investor visa is a type of visa that allows foreigners to live in a country in exchange for a form of investment. This can vary from investment into a local company, real estate, bonds, or even charitable donation.
Investor Visa: Overview
Investor visas go by many names such as golden visa, business immigration program, and Economic residency. The names might change depending on the country but their purpose remains the same regardless of the country. Investor visas are designed to encourage high-net-worth individuals into investing in the local economy of the country. Countries often do this by offering favourable taxation regimes, local workforce expertise, and existing business networks. It is believed that attracting high-net-worth individuals. It will boost local economies through these economic factors.
Business Creation
An often common option for people looking to move to a new country through an investor visa is to either start a business or invest in an already existing business. Business investment programs usually require a fairly significant investment. Some countries have a very broad spectrum that allows for business investment but in some countries, they restrict investment to only specific industries like technology, manufacturing or infrastructure.
Job Creation
Job creation is the holy grail for politicians if a family all of a sudden has the opportunity to take up a new job that will elevate their social status they will be loyal to the political party that brought in those jobs. Foreigners that come in and start a new business are more than likely to hire local workers for that new business. This elevates locals into better socioeconomic statuses, drops unemployment rates and boosts economic activity as a whole. So it’s often in a politician’s best interest to try and bring in as many potential entrepreneurs and investors as possible.
Capital Investment
For people not starting businesses and just want a secure place to park their cash, these investor visas benefit local economies also. Similar to business creation a capital investment will get you a residency the amount you have to invest is commonly higher than business creation just because you are putting the investment into someone else’s hands to do the work.
Technologic Advancement
Often times investors will come from more countries that are considered more technologically advanced so when they bring their expertise and business history into a new economy that’s currently lacking that technology or efficiency.
Increased Tax Revenue
New individuals coming into a country is another person that contributes to the country’s tax coffers. Even if it’s in a country like the UAE (Dubai) where for the most part they do not tax an individual income. They still contribute through VAT taxes and other sources.
What countries offer an Investor Visa?
More countries offer a type of Investment Visa than countries that do not. Below is a list of every country that offers a type of investor visa and if they have multiple different kinds.
| Country | Investor Visas |
Afghanistan  | N/A |
Albania  | 1. Albanian D Visa |
Algeria  | 1. General Business visa |
Andorra  | 1. Qualifying Individual Residency 2. the Entrepreneur Residency 3. Passive Residency (PR). |
Angola  | 1.Visto de Residência Temporária para Exercício de Atividades Profissionais |
Antigua and Barbuda  | 1. National Development Fund 2. Real Estate Investment: Investing in approved real estate projects. 3. Business Investment: Making a substantial investment in an approved business. |
Argentina  | 1.Visa de Inversionista |
Armenia  | 1. Armenian Investor Visa Program |
Australia  | 1. Business Innovation and Investment (Provisional) visa |
Austria  | 1. Citizenship by Investment 2. Private Residence Program |
Azerbaijan  | 1. Permit for temporary residence |
Bahamas  | 1. Bahamas Economic Permanent Residence |
Bahrain  | 1. LMRA Investor Visa |
Bangladesh  | 1. General business visa |
Barbados  | 1. Business investor visa |
Belarus  | 1. Permanent Residence Permit |
Belgium  | 1. Belgian Investor Visa also known as the Belgium Golden Visa or Belgium Investor Program |
Belize  | Belize Qualified Retirement Program (QRP) |
Benin  | 1. Benin Business Visa |
Bhutan  | N/A |
Bolivia  | 1. Permanent Working/Resident visa |
Bosnia and Herzegovina  | 1. Foreign Direct Investment visa |
Botswana  | 1. Botswana Investment Visa |
Brazil  | 1. Investor Visa (Visto de Investidor) 2. Entrepreneur Visa (Visto de Empreendedor) 3. Start-up Visa (Visto de Start-up) 4. Technical Services Visa (Visto de Serviços Técnicos) 5. Investor Retirement Visa (Visto de Investidor Aposentado) |
Brunei  | 1. Entrepreneur Pass |
Bulgaria  | 1. Bulgarian Investor Visa |
Burkina Faso  | 1. General Investor Visa |
Burundi  | N/A |
Capo Verde  | 1. Citizenship by Investment |
Cambodia  | 1. Cambodia my second home visa 2. Citizenship by Investment |
Cameroon  | 1. General Business Visa |
Canada  | 1. Start-Up Visa Program 2. Entrepreneur Visa |
Central African Republic  | 1. Citizenship by Investment 2. Residency by Investment |
Chad  | N/A |
Chile  | 1. Chilean Investor Visa |
China  | 1. Entreprenur Visa |
Colombia  | 1. Colombia M Visa 2. Colombia R Visa |
Comoros  | N/A |
Congo, Democratic Republic  | 1. Establishment Investor Visa |
Congo, Republic of the  | 1. General Business Visa |
Costa Rica  | 1. Golden Visa Program |
Cote d’Ivoire  | 1. N/A |
Croatia  | 1. Residence Investor Program |
Cuba  | 1. Residente de Inmobiliaria |
Cyprus  | 1. Cyprus Golden Visa |
Czech Republic  | 1. Czech Business investor visa |
Denmark  | 1. Denmark Start-up Visa |
Djibouti  | 1. N/A |
Dominica  | 1. Citizenship by Investment |
Dominican Republic  | 1. Dominican Republic Investor’s Residency (REVIP) Program |
East Timor  | 1. Business Visa Class 1 & Class 2 |
Ecuador  | 1. Temporary residence visa for investors |
Egypt  | 1. Citizenship by Investment |
El Salvador  | 1. N/A |
Equatorial Guinea  | 1. Residence Permit for Investment |
Eritrea  | N/A |
Estonia  | 1. Estonia Investor Visa 2. Estonia Virtual Residency |
Eswatini  | N/A |
Ethiopia  | 1. Investment Visa-IV |
Fiji  | 1. Golden Investor Visa |
Finland  | 1. Finland Investor Visa |
France  | 1. Talent Passport |
Gabon  | 1. Investor Residence Permit |
Gambia  | N/A |
Georgia  | 1. Residence Permit for Business Investors 2. Start-up Visa 3. Special Residency Status for Investors |
Germany  | 1. Entrepreneurial Visa |
Ghana  | N/A |
Greece  | 1. Greek Golden Visa |
Grenada  | 1. Citizenship by Investment |
Guatemala  | 1. Investor Visa |
Guinea  | 1. Guinea Business Visa |
Guinea-Bissau  | 1. N/A |
Guyana  | 1. N/A |
Haiti  | 1. N/A |
Honduras  | 1. Special Investor Resident Visa |
Hungary  | 1. Residency Bond Program 2. Business Immigration Program 3. Start-up Visa 4. Investor Residency Program |
Iceland  | 1. C business visa / D long term business visa |
India  | 1. Business Visa |
Indonesia  | 1. Investor KITAS (Limited Stay Permit for Investment) 2. Investor KITAP |
Iran  | 1. Iranian Foreign Investment Visa |
Iraq  | N/A |
Ireland  | 1. Irish Investment Visa |
Israel  | 1. B-5 Investor Visa |
Italy  | 1. Investor Visa 2. Start-up Visa 3. Italian Golden Visa 4. Elective Residence Visa |
Jamaica  | 1. N/A |
Japan  | 1. Business Manager Visa 2. Investor Visa |
Jordan  | 1. Jordan Investor Visa |
Kazakhstan  | 1. Ashyk Kazakhstan (Kazakhstan Investor Visa) |
Kenya  | 1. Keninvest |
Kiribati  | 1. N/A |
North Korea  | 1. N/A |
South Korea  | 1. D-8 Visa 2. D-9 Visa |
Kosovo  | 1. N/A |
Kyrgyzstan  | 1. Kyrgystan Investors Visa |
Laos  | 1. General Business Visa |
Latvia  | 1. Residence Permit for Investment (Latvia Golden Visa) |
Lebanon  | 1. N/A |
Lesotho  | 1. N/A |
Liberia  | 1. N/A |
Libya  | 1. N/A |
Liechtenstein  | 1. N/A |
Lithuania  | 1. Business Start-up visa (Lithuania Golden Visa) |
Luxembourg  | 1. Luxembourg Residence by Investment Program |
Madagascar  | 1. Madagascar Investor Visa |
Malawi  | 1. N/A |
Malaysia  | 1. Malaysia My Second Home Visa 2. Malaysia Investment Promotion Scheme 3. Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation |
Maldives  | 1. Corporate Residence Visa |
Mali  | 1/ N/A |
Malta  | 1. Malta Individual Investor Programme 2. Malta Residence and Visa Programme 3. Global Residence Programme |
Marshall Islands  | 1. N/A |
Mauritania  | 1. N/A |
Mauritius  | 1. Mauritius’ residence program |
Mexico  | 1. Temporary Resident Visa 2. Immigrant Investor Program |
Micronesia  | 1. N/A |
Moldova  | 1. Moldova Citizenship-by-Investment |
Monaco  | Monaco investor visa |
Mongolia  | 1. Mongolia Investor Visa |
Montenegro  | 1. Residence Permit for Investment 2. Business Start-up and Investment |
Morocco  | 1. Residence Permit for Investment |
Mozambique  | 1. Mozambique Residence Permit by Investment |
Myanmar (Burma)  | 1. General Business Visa |
Namibia  | 1. Residency by Investment Permit |
Nauru  | 1. N/A |
Nepal  | 1. N/A |
Netherlands  | 1. DAFT Visa: Under the Dutch American Friendship Treaty 2. Dutch residence permit for foreign investors |
New Zealand  | 1. New Zealand Investor Visa |
Nicaragua  | 1. Investor Permanent Residency Program 2. Nicaragua Rentista and Pensionado Visas |
Niger  | 1. N/A |
Nigeria  | 1. F4C-Business Visa 2. N3B-Investor Visa |
North Macedonia  | 1. North Macedonia Citizenship by Investment Program (Not currently available) |
Norway  | 1. Norway Investment Visa |
Oman  | 1. Oman Investor Residence Visa |
Pakistan  | 1. Pakistan Investment Visa |
Palau  | 1. Palau Virtual Residency |
Panama  | 1. Panama residence by Investment program (Panama Friendly Nations Visa) |
Papua New Guinea  | 1. Business Visa |
Paraguay  | 1. SUACE Paraguay Investor Permanent Residency Program |
Peru  | 1. Peruvian Investor visa 2. Investor Resident Visa for Specialized Investors 3. Business Investor Visa |
The Philippines  | 1. Special Investor’s Resident Visa (SIRV) 2. Special Non-Immigrant Visa |
Poland  | 1. Business Investor visa 2. Start-Up Visa 3. EU Blue Card |
Portugal  | 1. Golden Visa Program 2. Start-Up Visa 3. Tech Visa 4. Investment Activity Visa 5. D2 & D3 Visa |
Qatar  | 1. Qatar Investor Visa |
Romania  | 1. Immigrant Investor Program |
Russia  | 1. Russian Golden Visa |
Rwanda  | 1. Rwanda Business Investor Visa |
Saint Kitts and Nevis  | 1. Citizenship by Investment |
Saint Lucia  | 1. Citizenship by Investment |
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines  | 1. N/A |
Samoa  | 1. Citizenship by Investment |
San Marino  | 1. San Marino Residency for Economic Reasons |
Sao Tome and Principe  | 1. N/A |
Saudi Arabia  | 1. Visitor Investor Visa 2. Saudi Arabian General Investment Authority (SAGIA) License |
Senegal  | N/A |
Serbia  | 1. Serbia Investor Visa |
Seychelles  | 1. Seychelles Golden Investor Visa |
Sierra Leone  | 1. N/A |
Singapore  | 1. EntrePass 2. Global Investor Program (GIP) 3. Singapore Permanent Residence (PR) |
Slovakia  | 1. Slovakia Investment Visa |
Slovenia  | 1. Solvenia Investor Visa |
Solomon Islands  | 1. Citizenship by Investment (Not available yet) |
Somalia  | 1. N/A |
South Africa  | South Africa Investor Visa |
South Sudan  | 1. N/A |
Spain  | 1. Golden Visa 2. Entreprenur Visa 3. Start-Up Visa 4. Investor Residency Visa |
Sri Lanka  | 1. Golden Paradise Residence Visa Program |
Sudan  | 1. N/A |
Suriname  | 1. Citizenship by investment (Not available yet) |
Sweden  | 1. Sweden investment visa |
Switzerland  | 1. Residence Permits for Entrepreneurs 2. Swiss Golden Visa |
Syria  | 1. N/A |
Taiwan  | 1. Employment Gold Card 2. Investment Visa 3. Entrepreneur Visa |
Tajikistan  | 1. Free Economic Zone (FEZ) |
Tanzania  | 1. Class A resident Permit |
Thailand  | 1. Retirement Visa 2. Investment visa 3. Elite Visa 4. Business Visa |
Togo  | 1. N/A |
Tonga  | 1. Business Visa |
Trinidad and Tobago  | 1. N/A |
Tunisia  | 1. Tunisia Golden Visa for real estate |
Turkey  | 1. Turquoise Card 2. Citizenship by Investment 3. Investment Incentives |
Turkmenistan  | 1. N/A |
Tuvalu  | 1. N/A |
Uganda  | 1. N/A |
Ukraine  | 1. Business Immigration: 2. Start-up Visa 3. Agro-Visa |
United Arab Emirates  | 1. Investor Visa 2. Golden Visa 3. Business Investor Visa 4. Free Zone Investor Visa |
United Kingdom  | 1. Tier 1 (Investor) Visa 2. Innovator Visa 3. Start-up Visa 4. Tier 1 (Entrepreneur) Visa (Closed to new applicants) |
United States  | 1. EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program 2. E-2 Treaty Investor Visa |
Uruguay  | 1. Uruguay Independent Means Visa 2. Uruguay Investor Visa |
Uzbekistan  | 1. Investor Visa |
Vanuatu  | 1. Citizenship by investment |
Vatican City  | 1. N/A |
Venezuela  | 1. Venezuela Investor visa 2. Venezuela Rentista Visa |
Vietnam  | 1. Business Investment Visa |
Typical Investment Criteria
Every investor visa has different criteria depending on the country. There are common things countries often want when it comes to investor visas.
Minimum Investment Amount
Depending on the type of investor visa, and the country you’re applying for changes the minimum investment amount. It’s typical to see anywhere from 50,000usd – 2,000,000usd. It varies greatly depending on the country. A rule of thumb for how much they cost is the more advanced the country is the more expensive it will be to apply for a program.
Business Plan
For programmes where you’re coming into the country as an entrepreneur, it’s usual that you will need to present a business plan to the regulators.
Job Creation
As mentioned earlier in the blog countries want to see that your investment will create jobs. Job creation is the holy grail for politicians so if your business or investment is going to create jobs. Politicians will roll out the red carpet for you.
Background Check
Due to events such as the Panama papers applying for investor visas actually comes with a lot of red tape around the background check. Countries don’t want to be letting serious criminals into their countries even if they do have lots of money. This process usually involves sending in bank statements, audited financial statements, or other articles of financial proof.
Conclusion
Although investor visas might have a bad reputation based on ignorance not so much fact. Investor visas are powerful tools that offer individuals and their families the opportunity to explore global investment prospects and establish a new life in a foreign country. Throughout this blog post, we have explored the essential details surrounding investor visas, and putting light on what they actually are to dispel the myth of shade bankers in suits with briefcases full of money.
An investor visa can be your ticket to a new life either through residency or even citizenship in some cases. By investing in a new country’s economy you can contribute to its growth, and growth for the host country is also growth for you personally. When you are such an important pillar in a country’s economy this can also come with very good tax advantages that will let you keep more of your hard-earned money.
Not every investor visa will be right for you and your business. It is crucial to look at all the options and consult professionals. Seeking professional guidance with consults such as Yonderprenur and immigration lawyers. This will greatly improve your chances of success when planning your venture beyond borders.
Schedule a call with Yonderpreneur today and together we can come up with a plan to bring you and your business beyond the borders of a single country.