Business & Investor Visa from the UAE
Residency by investment, start-up and entrepreneur routes for high-net-worth applicants.
What a business & investor visa actually is
Business and investor routes are for people who want to build, buy into or expand a business abroad rather than take a job. They range from start-up and entrepreneur visas aimed at founders with an innovative idea, to investment routes requiring significant capital, to schemes that let an established overseas company set up a branch.
These routes are assessed differently from employment visas. The focus is on the credibility of your business plan, the source and sufficiency of your funds, and in many cases an endorsement from an approved body that vouches for the venture.
They can be among the strongest routes to permanent residence for the right person, but they are also the ones where rules change most often and where poor advice is most expensive. Verifying what is currently open before committing capital is essential.
How countries differ
The United Kingdom runs an Innovator Founder route requiring endorsement, alongside an Expansion Worker route for overseas businesses establishing a UK presence. The United States is best known for the EB-5 investor green card. Portugal and several European countries offer entrepreneur and investment residence, though Portugal has narrowed its investment options considerably. The Netherlands has a start-up visa built around a recognised facilitator, and a separate treaty route for United States nationals.
Who it suits
- Founders with a genuinely innovative and scalable business idea
- Established business owners in the UAE looking to open an overseas branch
- Investors who can evidence both the capital and its lawful source
- Self-employed professionals whose activity would add value to the destination economy
Choosing a destination
- Verify which investment or founder routes are currently open, as these change more than any other category
- Be certain you can evidence the lawful source of your funds, which is scrutinised closely
- Understand whether the route requires endorsement and who can provide it
- Check whether the route leads to permanent residence or simply renews
Business & Investor Visa options by country
We handle business & investor visa applications for these destinations. Select a country to see eligibility, costs and the full process.
Business & Investor Visa: frequently asked questions
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