Investor and business visas compared
- 51 routes
- 46 countries
- 10 can lead to permanent residence
Fees, processing times, documents and the full requirements are on each route's page.
Albania
- Unique Permit for Digital Mobile Workers
Remote employees and contractors working with information technology for employers or clients outside Albania.
Main conditions
- Foreign employment or service contract
- Lawful stay
- Financial means
7 requirements · 9 documents · 4 fees
Length of stay
Up to 1 year for a first permit; renewable.
May lead to permanent residence
Oct 16, 2026
Ministry of Interior (mb.gov.al) – Procedures and documents for residence and unique permits
Andorra
- Residence without lucrative activity
Financially independent foreigners, retirees and investors who will not work in Andorra.
Main conditions
- Main residence
- Investment
- Non-refundable payment
6 requirements · 6 documents · 4 fees
Length of stay
Initial two years; renewed for two years, then three-year periods; after seven years…
Can lead to permanent residence
Oct 17, 2026
BOPA - Law 2/2026 of 22 January on continuity and consolidation of measures for sustainable growth (amends Law 9/2012 art. 96)
Argentina
- Residencia transitoria – Nómada Digital
Visa-exempt foreign nationals who provide remote services through computer or telecom means to people or companies domiciled outside Argentina.
Main conditions
- Visa-exempt nationality
- Remote work for foreign clients
- Proof of activity
8 requirements · 10 documents · 4 fees
Length of stay
Up to 180 days, extendable once for an equal period.
Bangladesh
- Investor Visa (PI) and NVR for large investors
Foreign investors who have invested in, or are setting up, a business in Bangladesh.
Main conditions
- Genuine investor
- Extension
- NVR for large investors
4 requirements · 4 documents · 3 fees
Length of stay
Not stated
May lead to permanent residence
Oct 17, 2026
Department of Immigration and Passports - Types and Essential Documents of Visa
Barbados
- Special Entry Permit (variation of stay under section 13(3))
Financially independent foreign nationals, such as property owners or people with pensions or investments, who want to stay in Barbados longer than a visitor.
Main conditions
- Financial resources
- Health insurance
- Police certificates
3 requirements · 10 documents · 1 fees
Length of stay
Not stated
Brazil
- Temporary visa and residence authorisation for digital nomads
Remote employees or contractors of foreign employers who want to live in Brazil while working for them.
Main conditions
- Remote work for a foreign employer
- No Brazilian employer
- Income or funds
8 requirements · 11 documents · 2 fees
Length of stay
Initial residence up to 1 year, renewable for an equal period (Resolução CNIg 45/2021).
Temporary only
Oct 16, 2026
Resolução CNIg MJSP nº 45, de 9 de setembro de 2021 (MJSP digital library text)
Brunei
- Long Term Pass
Foreign company owners and investors, foreign professionals and experts, and foreign family members of Brunei citizens or permanent residents.
Main conditions
- Business visit category
- Professional visit category
- Social visit category
3 requirements · 1 documents · 1 fees
Length of stay
Not stated
Colombia
- Visa de Visitante (V) – Nómada Digital
Remote workers, freelancers and digital entrepreneurs paid by foreign companies who want to live in Colombia for up to 2 years.
Main conditions
- Visa-exempt passport
- Remote work for foreign companies only
- Digital entrepreneurs
8 requirements · 10 documents · 3 fees
Length of stay
Up to 2 years (Cancillería visa types page and Resolución 5477 de 2022, art.
Comoros
- Long-stay visa for business creators
Foreign entrepreneurs who have registered a company in the Comoros.
Main conditions
- Registered company
- Investment approval
- Business licence
3 requirements · 10 documents · 1 fees
Length of stay
Annual (fee is per year).
May lead to permanent residence
Oct 17, 2026
eRegulations Comores (government procedures portal) - Obtention du visa de long séjour
Costa Rica
- Estancia – Trabajador o Prestador Remoto de Servicios
Foreign employees or independent professionals who provide paid services remotely, directly or subcontracted, to people or companies outside Costa Rica.
Main conditions
- Remote work for foreign clients
- Minimum income
- Family income
8 requirements · 8 documents · 4 fees
Length of stay
Up to 1 year (applicants may request less), renewable once for an additional year.
- Temporary Residence – Inversionista
Foreigners who make a qualifying personal investment in Costa Rican property, companies, securities or productive projects.
Main conditions
- Minimum investment
- Forestry investment
- Personal investment
4 requirements · 8 documents · 3 fees
Length of stay
Temporary residence, renewable; after three consecutive years a change to permanent…
Can lead to permanent residence
Oct 17, 2026
Reglamento de Extranjería, Decreto Ejecutivo 37112-G (TSE copy of official text)
Croatia
- Temporary stay of digital nomads
Remote employees and owners of foreign-registered companies who want to live in Croatia while working for clients or employers outside Croatia.
Main conditions
- Third-country national
- Remote work for a foreign entity
- No Croatian work
8 requirements · 9 documents · 6 fees
Length of stay
Up to 18 months.
Cyprus
- Cyprus Digital Nomad Visa Scheme
Remote employees of foreign-registered companies, or self-employed people serving clients abroad, who want to live in Cyprus.
Main conditions
- Non-EU/EEA nationality
- Remote work using telecommunications
- Foreign employer or foreign clients
8 requirements · 8 documents · 2 fees
Length of stay
First temporary residence permit valid for one year; a renewal can be issued for a…
Temporary only
Oct 16, 2026
Migration Department – Digital nomads and family members (posted 31 Dec 2025)
Dominican Republic
- Residence by investment
Foreign investors with a certified investment in the Dominican Republic.
Main conditions
- Direct investors
- Free-zone companies
- Border development
4 requirements · 9 documents · 2 fees
Length of stay
The RS visa is valid 60 days for one entry.
Can lead to permanent residence
Oct 17, 2026
MIREX (Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores) - Visas, Portal Único de Servicios - Residence for pensioners, retirees and rentistas
Retirees with a foreign pension, and people living on passive income from abroad.
Main conditions
- Pension income
- Passive income
- Dependants
4 requirements · 9 documents · 2 fees
Length of stay
The RS visa is valid 60 days for one entry.
May lead to permanent residence
Oct 17, 2026
MIREX (Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores) - Visas, Portal Único de Servicios
Ecuador
- Visa de residencia temporal rentista para trabajo remoto
Foreign remote workers, freelancers or foreign-company owners who want to live in Ecuador while earning foreign-source income.
Main conditions
- Remote work for foreign parties
- Minimum foreign income
- Lawful means of living
9 requirements · 8 documents · 2 fees
Length of stay
Up to 2 years; temporary residence is renewable once under article 60 of the Ley Orgánica…
Can lead to permanent residence
Oct 16, 2026
gob.ec – Concesión de visa de residencia temporal rentista para trabajo remoto (Visa Nómada) (updated 31 Dec 2024)
Estonia
- Digital Nomad Visa
Location-independent remote workers and freelancers whose employer, company or clients are outside Estonia.
Main conditions
- Location-independent work
- Foreign employer, company or clients
- Income threshold
8 requirements · 14 documents · 2 fees
Length of stay
D visa for up to 365 days in 12 months; two back-to-back long-stay visas cannot exceed…
- Startup Visa and temporary residence permit for start-up entrepreneurs
Non-EU founders of innovative start-ups with global growth potential who want to build the company in Estonia.
Main conditions
- Startup Committee approval
- Start-up definition
- Shareholding in an Estonian company
7 requirements · 10 documents · 5 fees
Length of stay
D visa for up to 365 days (extendable by 183 days per Startup Estonia); temporary…
Fiji
- Investor Permit
Foreign shareholders, sole traders, partners and directors or representatives of foreign companies investing in a Fiji-registered business.
Main conditions
- Investment threshold
- Shareholding
- Age
5 requirements · 9 documents · 3 fees
Length of stay
Three (03) years in principle.
- Residence Permit on Assured Income
People aged 45 and over, including retirees with an overseas pension, who want to live in Fiji without working.
Main conditions
- Age
- Income or assets
- Remittance or property
5 requirements · 8 documents · 3 fees
Length of stay
Three (3) years.
Gibraltar
- Gibraltar Category 2 Individual and HEPSS (High Executive Possessing Specialist Skills) status
High-net-worth individuals relocating to Gibraltar (Category 2) and highly paid executives with specialist skills hired by Gibraltar employers (HEPSS).
Main conditions
- Certificate required
- Category 2 tax
- HEPSS tax
3 requirements · 1 documents · 1 fees
Length of stay
Ongoing while the certificate conditions are met.
May lead to permanent residence
Oct 17, 2026
HM Government of Gibraltar Income Tax Office - Qualifying individuals
Greece
- National visa for digital nomads (residence title 'Z.1'), Article 68 of the Migration Code
Non-EU remote workers employed by, or providing services to, companies or clients based outside Greece who want to live in Greece without working for the Greek…
Main conditions
- Remote work for employers or clients abroad
- No work for Greek employers
- Employment contract with a foreign employer
8 requirements · 9 documents · 1 fees
Length of stay
National visa up to 12 months; then a residence permit (type I.8) of two years, if…
May lead to permanent residence
Oct 16, 2026
Ministry of Migration and Asylum - Law 5038/2023 Migration Code (Government Gazette A' 81/01.04.2023), Article 68
Hungary
- White Card residence permit
Third-country remote employees of foreign employers, or owners of profitable foreign companies, who want to live in Hungary for up to two years.
Main conditions
- Third-country national
- Remote employment abroad
- Foreign company owner
8 requirements · 9 documents · 6 fees
Length of stay
Up to 1 year; can be extended once for another year.
Temporary only
Oct 16, 2026
OIF (NDGAP) – White Card residency for digital nomads (last edited 2026-03-11)
Indonesia
- E33G Second Home Remote Worker Visa
Remote employees of a foreign company who earn at least USD 60,000 a year and want to live in Indonesia.
Main conditions
- Foreign employer
- Minimum income
- Living funds
6 requirements · 7 documents · 5 fees
Length of stay
1-year stay, extendable online.
Kuwait
- Investor residence of up to 15 years
Foreign owners, partners and senior executives of KDIPA-licensed investment entities, and their immediate families.
Main conditions
- Licensed entity
- Investment and capital
- Operations and Kuwaitisation
4 requirements · 2 documents · 1 fees
Length of stay
Up to 15 years.
Temporary only
Oct 17, 2026
Kuwait Direct Investment Promotion Authority (KDIPA) - Kuwait Strengthens Long-Term Residency
Kyrgyzstan
- Investment visa (I) and investor residence
Foreign investors and heads of foreign investment companies.
Main conditions
- 5-year investment visa
- 10-year investment visa
- Eligible sectors
5 requirements · 2 documents · 2 fees
Length of stay
5 or 10 years (visa)
May lead to permanent residence
Oct 17, 2026
e-Visa portal of the Kyrgyz Republic - Get information (Investment visa)
Latvia
- Temporary residence permit for investors
Non-EU investors in Latvian companies or in the state investment fund.
Main conditions
- Small company
- Large company
- State fund
5 requirements · 3 documents · 2 fees
Length of stay
Company route: up to two years, renewable.
Can lead to permanent residence
Oct 17, 2026
Likumi.lv (official publisher Latvijas Vēstnesis) - Immigration Law (Imigrācijas likums) in force from 15.09.2026
Lesotho
- Business people residence permit
Foreign nationals who own or plan to open a business in Lesotho.
Main conditions
- Business in Lesotho
- Work permit
- Tax compliance
4 requirements · 12 documents · 1 fees
Length of stay
Two-year residence permit, renewable; an indefinite version also exists.
May lead to permanent residence
Oct 17, 2026
Ministry of Home Affairs Lesotho permits portal - Business people permit
Malaysia
- DE Rantau Nomad Pass
Remote employees of foreign companies and digital freelancers in tech or listed non-tech roles who meet the income threshold.
Main conditions
- Eligible profession - tech
- Eligible profession - non-tech
- Income - tech
10 requirements · 11 documents · 6 fees
Length of stay
3 to 12 months, renewable once for up to 12 more months, for a maximum of 24 months in…
Maldives
- Corporate Resident Visa
Foreign investors who meet one of the investment thresholds set by Maldives Immigration.
Main conditions
- Option 1: investment
- Option 2: fixed deposit
- Option 3: approved project
4 requirements · 2 documents · 1 fees
Length of stay
Not stated
Malta
- Nomad Residence Permit
Remote employees, business owners and freelancers aged 18+ whose work and clients are outside Malta.
Main conditions
- Third-country national aged 18+
- Remote work for foreign employer or clients
- Minimum income
9 requirements · 8 documents · 3 fees
Length of stay
One year from card issuance; renewable up to three times, for a maximum total stay of…
Temporary only
Oct 16, 2026
Residency Malta Agency – Nomad Residence Permit FAQs (Version 14.1, updated 17 Apr 2026)
Mauritius
- Mauritius Premium Visa
Remote workers, business owners with income from abroad, retirees and long-stay visitors from listed countries.
Main conditions
- Nationality
- No local employment
- Income from abroad
8 requirements · 10 documents · 1 fees
Length of stay
More than six months, up to one year; renewable (EDB).
Mexico
- Visa de Residente Temporal por solvencia económica
People with independent means (savings, pensions or foreign employment income) who want to live in Mexico long term without a Mexican job offer.
Main conditions
- Savings or investment balance
- Monthly income
- Employer letter for remote work
8 requirements · 8 documents · 2 fees
Length of stay
Stays of more than 180 days and less than 4 years.
Montenegro
- Temporary Residence Permit for Digital Nomads
Remote workers and freelancers employed by or working for foreign companies, who want to live in Montenegro.
Main conditions
- Remote work abroad
- Lawful entry
- Financial means
7 requirements · 8 documents · 0 fees
Length of stay
Up to two years; extendable for a maximum of two more years.
Temporary only
Oct 16, 2026
Digital Nomads Montenegro (Government) – Legal status for nomads (updated 21 Aug 2023)
Myanmar (Burma)
- Business eVisa
Business visitors invited by a company registered in Myanmar.
Main conditions
- Eligible nationalities
- Inviting company
2 requirements · 4 documents · 1 fees
Length of stay
Stay of 70 days; approval letter valid 90 days; extension possible via eStay.
Nepal
- Business Visa
Foreign investors with an approved foreign investment in a registered company or industry in Nepal.
Main conditions
- Foreign investment approval
- Recommendation
- Company registration
4 requirements · 11 documents · 6 fees
Length of stay
From 1 month up to 1 year, or 5 years at a time.
Pakistan
- Business visa (up to 5 years multiple entry) and business visa on arrival
Foreign business people, traders and investors who visit Pakistan for business meetings, trade or to manage an investment.
Main conditions
- Business Visa List (BVL) countries
- Business visa on arrival
- Other countries
3 requirements · 4 documents · 2 fees
Length of stay
Up to 5 years multiple entry for BVL nationals.
Temporary only
Oct 17, 2026
DGI&P (Ministry of Interior) - Visa Categories (Business Visa, Visa Extension in Pakistan)
Panama
- Permanent Residence – Economic Solvency through Real Estate Investment
Foreigners buying property in Panama worth at least B/.300,000 who want to settle there.
Main conditions
- Minimum investment
- Financing
- Corporate or foundation ownership
4 requirements · 7 documents · 3 fees
Length of stay
Two-year provisional permit, then permanent residence.
Can lead to permanent residence
Oct 17, 2026
SNM – Residente permanente por solvencia económica propia por inversión de bienes inmuebles (PPT-SEP-IBM) - Visa de Corta Estancia como Trabajador Remoto
Remote employees of transnational foreign companies, and self-employed remote workers with their own company registered abroad, earning at least B/.36,000 a…
Main conditions
- Remote employment or self-employment
- Minimum income
- Employer documents
8 requirements · 12 documents · 2 fees
Length of stay
9 months, extendable once for the same period.
Temporary only
Oct 16, 2026
SNM – Requisitos para solicitar visa de corta estancia como trabajador remoto (PDF, uploaded Sep 2025)
Paraguay
- Permanent residence for foreign investors
Foreign investors opening a business in Paraguay through SUACE.
Main conditions
- SUACE investor certificate
- Clean records
2 requirements · 7 documents · 3 fees
Length of stay
Indefinite ('Definitivo').
Can lead to permanent residence
Oct 17, 2026
Dirección Nacional de Migraciones - Trámite especial para inversionistas extranjeros bajo el SUACE
Portugal
- Residence visa / temporary stay visa for professional activity provided remotely outside Portugal
Employed or self-employed people who work remotely for individuals or companies based outside Portugal and earn at least four times the Portuguese minimum…
Main conditions
- Remote work for a foreign employer or clients
- Minimum income
- Tax residence
9 requirements · 12 documents · 4 fees
Length of stay
Temporary stay visa: under one year, multiple entries.
May lead to permanent residence
Oct 16, 2026
AIMA – Residence permit for remote professional activity (Art. 88(1) 'Digital Nomads')
San Marino
- Elective residence (residenza elettiva) through investment
Wealthy foreigners who want to live in San Marino and can make a qualifying property purchase or deposit.
Main conditions
- Property option
- Deposit option
- No exclusion grounds
4 requirements · 6 documents · 4 fees
Length of stay
Residence is consolidated after ten years on the population register, after which general…
Can lead to permanent residence
Oct 17, 2026
San Marino Department of Foreign Affairs - Consolidated text of Law No. 118 of 28 June 2010 on entry and stay of foreigners (updated to 9 April 2024)
South Africa
- Remote Work Visa - visitor's visa under section 11(1)(b)(iv) for remote work
People employed by a company outside South Africa who want to stay more than three months and work remotely.
Main conditions
- Foreign employer contract
- Income
- Purpose statement
7 requirements · 10 documents · 2 fees
Length of stay
More than three months, up to three years (DHA checklist).
Spain
- Visado y autorización de residencia para teletrabajo de carácter internacional
Remote employees of foreign companies, and freelancers whose clients are mainly companies outside Spain, with a degree or 3 years' experience.
Main conditions
- Remote work for non-Spanish companies
- Company clients only
- Qualifications or experience
9 requirements · 11 documents · 2 fees
Length of stay
Visa: up to 1 year (or the work period if shorter).
May lead to permanent residence
Oct 16, 2026
Spanish Consulate General in Washington - Telework (digital nomad) visa
Sri Lanka
- Residence visa - investor category
Foreign investors, with their spouse and dependants, who place capital in Sri Lanka.
Main conditions
- Golden Paradise Visa
- Direct investment
- Condominium property (individuals)
7 requirements · 5 documents · 1 fees
Length of stay
5 or 10 years depending on the option and amount; condominium options of 5 years are…
Temporary only
Oct 17, 2026
Department of Immigration and Emigration - Residence Visa (Investor Category)
Tajikistan
- Business visa category 'K'
Foreign business people and specialists invited by a Tajik company or person, and their families.
Main conditions
- Purpose
- Inviting party
- Health certificate for longer stays
4 requirements · 5 documents · 4 fees
Length of stay
Up to 3 months on issue; extendable to no more than 1 year.
Thailand
- Destination Thailand Visa
Remote workers and freelancers with foreign employers or clients, and people joining Thai soft-power or medical activities.
Main conditions
- Workcation purpose
- Soft-power activity
- Funds
7 requirements · 9 documents · 2 fees
Length of stay
Visa valid 5 years, multiple entries; 180 days per entry, extendable once for another 180…
Ukraine
- Temporary residence for company founders and investors
Foreign investors who own or control a Ukrainian legal entity.
Main conditions
- Company in the register
- Investment size
- Permit length
4 requirements · 4 documents · 4 fees
Length of stay
2 years per permit
May lead to permanent residence
Oct 17, 2026
State Migration Service: issuance of temporary residence permit
United Arab Emirates
- Virtual Work Residence
Remote employees, or people working for organisations based outside the UAE, who earn at least USD 3,500 a month and want to live in Dubai.
Main conditions
- Remote work for a foreign organisation
- Minimum income
- Passport validity
6 requirements · 7 documents · 7 fees
Length of stay
1 year from issuance, renewable (GDRFA Dubai).
United States
- EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program
Investors with lawfully sourced capital of at least 800,000 USD who want US permanent residence through a job-creating investment.
Main conditions
- Minimum investment
- Targeted employment area
- Job creation
10 requirements · 9 documents · 7 fees
Length of stay
Conditional permanent residence for 2 years, then permanent residence once Form I-829 is…
Can lead to permanent residence
Oct 17, 2026
USCIS - About the EB-5 Visa Classification (updated 18 Nov 2025)
Uzbekistan
- Investor residence permit and investment visa
Foreign investors, enterprise founders and property buyers and their families.
Main conditions
- Simplified residence permit (Golden Visa)
- Family members
- Investment visa (INV)
5 requirements · 2 documents · 3 fees
Length of stay
Residence permit: 5 years; investment visa: up to 3 years
Can lead to permanent residence
Oct 17, 2026
Embassy of Uzbekistan in Pakistan - The Uzbekistan Golden Visa program
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General information from official government sources, not legal advice. Rules change: check the official page, or ask a licensed advisor, before you apply.