Countries
across the globe have created attractive permanent residency programs for
entrepreneurs, businesspersons and HNIs. With a favourable immigration climate
now is a great time for you to explore your options of settling abroad with
your family and setting up business operations. Wixfly.agency can help you
identify the right residency option based on your preferences and future plans.
Many
countries offer an Investment or Business Visa to encourage immigrants who have
proven experience in running a business and are interested in establishing a
business overseas or invest in another country. They could be interested in
opening either a new business venture or buying an existing business located
overseas.
Residence
through investment programs are also commonly referred to as the golden visa
programs. Recently, an increasing number of individuals, with the talent as
well as means, have come to explore overseas options, deciding not to limit
their business interests to a particular country alone.
Invest
overseas allows High Net Worth Individuals (HNWIs) to relocate abroad,
acquiring the right to work and live in their new country of residence.
Many
also explore invest overseas options for multiple residences towards their
international planning.
Australia
and Canada have an Immigrant Investor Program which offers migrants the option
of having an alternate residency status while continuing to manage already
existing businesses in their home country.
These
investor programs seek to attract potential overseas investors who have enough
personal net worth and managerial experience.
Every
country that offers an investment program has its own set of requirements and
eligibility criteria.
Benefits
Of Settling Abroad As An Entrepreneur
The
permanent residency programs for investors and entrepreneurs are typically
designed to offer individual as well as business benefits. The best such
immigration programs offer benefits like:
- Access to high standard of
living
- Access to healthcare and
education
- Settle with your dependants
- Access to international
opportunities
- Favourable investment policies
(varies by country)
- Travel benefits allowing you to
conduct business globally
- Fast track to citizenship
Eligibility
For Entrepreneurs & Investors
Different
countries have different criteria to assess applicant eligibility. Broadly, the
assessment criteria are:
- Availability of funds to invest
overseas
- Prior business profile
- Proficiency in English or local
languages
- Business credentials &
banking history
- Health & conduct evaluation
Why
invest overseas?
The
top motivations that make an individual select a country for invest overseas
include – the likelihood of getting citizenship, the quality of life offered,
as well as the overall business environment.
Permanent
residency programs for investors and entrepreneurs are typically designed to
offer individuals as well as businesses a wide range of benefits.
Top
countries for invest overseas
Countries
across the globe offer attractive permanent residency options for HNIs,
entrepreneurs, and businesspersons.
Many
countries offer investment or business visas to encourage immigrants that have
proven experience in running a business and are interested in establishing a
business overseas or invest in another country. Such individuals could be
interested in opening either a new business venture or buying an existing
business located overseas.
The
leading countries offering residence through investment are, among others –
- Canada
- Australia
- Ireland
- The UK
- Estonia
- Denmark
The
specific requirements vary, and will be as per the country looking to settle in
as well as the program applying under.
Top
options for invest overseas
There
are many residency by investment options available for businesspersons and
entrepreneurs.
The
most sought-after invest overseas options include –
Canada’s
Startup visa program
For
entrepreneurs that have the skills and potential to build up businesses in
Canada that are – (1) innovative, (2) can create jobs for Canadians, and can
compete on an international scale.
Individuals
with innovative business ideas might be able to immigrate to Canada through the
Start-Up Visa Program. Provided, however, that they are able to get support for
their business idea from any of the designated organizations (can be angel
investor groups, business incubators, or venture capital funds).
Minimum
investment required – $200,000 (if coming from a designate venture capital fund
in Canada); $75,000 (in case of a designated angel investor group in Canada).
Those
planning to invest in Quebec will have to go through Quebec immigration
programs.
If
the application is approved, a Canadian permanent residence visa will be
issued. This will include the Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR), along
with an entry visa.
Under
Canada’s startup visa program, candidates can come to Canada on a work
permit which is sponsored by their Canada based investor and then apply for a
PR visa once their business is established in the country.
This
program encourages immigrant entrepreneurs to develop their startups in Canada.
Successful applicants can tie-up with private sector investors in Canada to
receive help on funding and guidance on running their business. The three types
of private sector investors they can approach are:
- Venture capital fund
- Business incubator
- Angel investor
Eligibility
requirements for visa applicants are:
- Have proof that the business
has the required support from a designated entity in the form of a
Commitment Certificate and Letter of Support
- Have a qualifying business
- Have the required proficiency
in English or French
- Have completed at least one
year of post-secondary education
- Have enough funds to settle in
Canada and support dependent family members
- Must clear the medical tests
and security requirements
Australia
Business Innovation & Investment
Many
options are available for individuals that intend to either start a business or
invest in Australia and live as Australian permanent residents.
Business
innovation and investment pathways are for you if you – already own a business,
want to start a business, or are planning to invest in Australia.
Invest
overseas pathways for Australia include –
- Business Innovation and
Investment (Permanent) visa (subclass 888), targeted at business owners,
investors, and entrepreneurs that want to continue their activity in
Australia.
- Business Owner visa (subclass
890), for individuals that can own or manage a business in Australia.
- State or Territory Sponsored
Business Owner visa (subclass 892), for individuals that own and manage a
business in Australia, allowing them to stay in Australia indefinitely.
The
Entrepreneur stream under Australia’s Business Innovation and Investment
(Provisional) visa category allows you to own and manage a business in
Australia or conduct a business or investment activity entrepreneurial activity
in Australia.
Eligibility
requirements
- Have a proposal for
entrepreneurial activity in Australia
- Have at least AUD200,000
funding agreement to undertake business in Australia
- Have a business plan for a
startup
- Have competent skills in the
English language
The
provisional visa program has seven categories:
1.Business
Innovation Stream- This
provisional visa allows you to operate a new or existing business in
Australia. You must be nominated by an Australian State or Territory
government agency or Austrade.
2.Investor
stream- For this
you will require at least AUD 1.5 million in an Australian state or territory
and maintain your business and investment activity in Australia.
3.Significant
investor stream- People
willing to invest at least AUD 5 million in Australian investments can apply
for this visa. They must be nominated by an Australian State or Territory
government agency or Austrade.
4.Business
innovation extension stream- With this visa holders of the Business Innovation and
Investment (Provisional) visa can extend their stay in Australia for 2 more
years. For this extension applicants must have had Business Innovation stream
visa for at least 3 years and must be nominated by an Australian State or
Territory government agency or Austrade.
5.Significant
investor extension stream- With
this visa holders of the Significant Investor stream can extend their stay in
Australia for up to 4 more years. For this extension applicants must have had
Significant Investor stream for at least 3 years and must be nominated by an
Australian State or Territory government agency or Austrade.
6.Premium
Investor stream-This
visa requires nomination by Austrade and an investment of at least AUD 15
million in Australian enterprises or in philanthropic contribution.
7.Entrepreneur
stream-With this
visa you can carry out entrepreneurial activities in Australia.
Steps
to apply for a provisional business visa
You
must submit an expression of interest through the Department of home affairs
Wait
for a nomination from a state or territory or from Austrade by waiting for an
intimation from them or you can contact them directly
Once
you receive an invitation you can apply for a visa
The
business of the visa holder must do any one of the following activities
Build
business links with international markets
Generate
employment in Australia
Use
Australian goods and services
Produce
goods or provide services that would alternatively have to be imported
Create
new and improved technology
The
Business Innovation and Investment (Provisional) visa, also known as Subclass
188, can help you gain permanent residency. If you have been on a Subclass 188
visa for at least one year and meet the financial conditions, you can apply for
your PR visa. Aside from that, you’ll have to show that you have a long-term
commercial interest by making frequent investments and hiring local staff.
Advantages of the visa
- You can stay in Australia
permanently
- You can promote your business
and investment activity in Australia
- You can apply for Australian
citizenship, if eligible
Australia
Golden Visa
This
visa was introduced in 2012. With this visa High Net Worth Individuals (HNWI)
can get a PR visa to Australia through investment immigration. Applicants must
be willing to invest AUD 5 million in a specific structure to qualify for this
visa. Although the investment is high, it is regulated and restricted.
Commonly
called the Australia Golden Visa, the Significant Investor Visa for Australia
offers a streamlined Australian immigration pathway to High Net Worth
Individuals (HNWI) through investment.
There
is no age limit for the Golden Visa for Australia.
Path to permanent residency
Residency
by investment is for wealth foreign nationals that want to take up permanent
residence in a country on the basis of investing a substantial amount of money
or through purchasing a property therein.
Those
successful in acquiring residency by investment will get – along with their
spouse and children – residence permits for the country in which the investment
is made. These residence permits can be renewed indefinitely, provided the
investment is duly maintained.
There
is often little or no requirement of actually being physically present in the
country to be issued a golden visa. However, most countries require actual
residency in that country for a certain period of time, to be granted permanent
residence or citizenship by investment.