Pick a startup visa
TinySet compares startup visa programs on cost and timing. TinyResearch picks the best fit for a solo founder.
TinySet
Dataset · 50 rowsCountries with startup visa programs, with eligibility, cost, processing time and visa length
| Country | Program name | Eligibility | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canada | Start-up Visa Program | Immigrant entrepreneurs with support from a designated organization building innovative, job-creating businesses; program paused June 30, 2026 | CAD 1,895 |
| Cyprus | Cyprus Startup Visa | Talented entrepreneurs from third countries (non-EU/EEA), as individuals or a team, establishing or operating an innovative startup with high growth potential | EUR 120 |
| Greece | Golden Visa | Minimum EUR 250,000 investment in shares or equity of a Greek startup registered on the Elevate Greece platform, with at least two new jobs created within the first year and maintained for five years | |
| United States | International Entrepreneur Rule | Startup formed in the US within 5 years, at least 10% ownership and central role, USD 311,071 qualified investment or USD 124,429 government grant within 18 months | USD 1,200 |
| Malta | Malta Startup Residence Programme | Non-EU/EEA/Swiss founder or co-founder of a startup registered no more than 7 years, placing at least EUR 25,000 paid-up capital, with physical presence (living and paying taxes) in Malta | EUR 750 per adult applicant (plus EUR 82.50 residence card fee) |
| United Kingdom | Innovator Founder visa | Innovative, viable and scalable new business idea endorsed by an approved endorsing body | GBP 1,357 (outside UK); GBP 1,693 (extend/switch inside UK) |
| Netherlands | Start-up residence permit | Non-EU/EEA entrepreneur with an innovative product or service, working with an RVO-recognised facilitator and sufficient resources to live in the Netherlands | EUR 423 |
| France | French Tech Visa | Founder must have an innovative economic project developed in France, recognised as innovative by a public body (DRIEETS), and adequate means of subsistence equal to the minimum wage | EUR 300 (plus EUR 99 long-stay visa fee and EUR 50 stamp duty) |
TinyResearch
ReportWhich startup visa is the best fit for a solo founder moving abroad, and why?
A solo founder relocating abroad in late 2026 faces a landscape of roughly 20+ dedicated startup and entrepreneur visa programs worldwide, but most are built around team-based startups, funded ventures, or incubator relationships that add friction for a solo operator. After comprehensive analysis across eligibility, cost, processing speed, solo-founder accessibility, path to permanent residency, and ecosystem quality, France's French Tech Visa and Estonia's Startup Visa emerge as the two strongest options for most solo founders, for complementary reasons. Spain's Entrepreneur Residency (Ley de Startups) is a compelling third option — the only major program that requires no incubator and no facilitator while still offering a three-year initial permit. Portugal, the Netherlands, the UK, Singapore, Germany, and Ireland round out the field, each with meaningful trade-offs. Canada's program is currently paused. The UAE warrants separate consideration for founders who prioritize tax minimization over EU access.
