Top 5 Countries Offering Business Visa to Entrepreneurs in 2025

A smart entrepreneur is always on the lookout for opportunity and sometimes, that opportunity lies beyond borders. The key is simple: find a demand, meet it, and grow from there.

Many countries understand this and actively encourage entrepreneurs by offering business visas. It’s a win-win, you get access to a new market, and they boost their local economy.

Another big reason to expand internationally? Taxes. Depending on where you set up, it is possible to grow your business while also legally reducing your tax burden, all within the rules of the local system.

Of course, getting a business visa isn’t as easy as booking a flight. There are always terms, conditions, and paperwork involved, but with the right information and plan, the path becomes pretty straightforward.

In some countries, you may be required to hire a certain number of local workers, stick to investing in specific industries, or deposit a minimum amount of money into a local business bank account.

To help you get started, here are top 5 countries that offer great business visa options for entrepreneurs:

1. Portugal Business Visa (The D2 Visa):

If you’ve ever dreamed of running a business in Europe, Portugal is just the perfect starting point. Most people don’t realize this, but Portugal offers a fantastic visa option for entrepreneurs, freelancers, and investors from outside the EU and it’s comparatively accessible.

The D2 Visa also known as the Immigrant Entrepreneur Visa is designed to enable entrepreneurs, investors, and freelancers from outside the EU/EEA/Switzerland migrate and launch their business in Portugal.

Here’s the catch – the D2 Visa provides you with the following:

• A 2-year temporary residence permit to live and work in Portugal
• The ability to renew it for another 3 years
• After 5 years of legal residency, you can apply for permanent residency or even Portuguese citizenship

Surprisingly, there’s no official minimum investment amount. That’s one of the things that makes the D2 Visa stand out.

However, if you’re planning to open a small or medium-sized business, it’s generally recommended to have around €3,000 to €5,000 ready to show that you’re serious and prepared. (This will help secure you a successful application).

It is worthy to note that unlike some other countries, Portugal doesn’t make you hire locals or hit specific profit targets each year — it’s a much more flexible setup. However, you still need to prove that your business idea; is viable, will provide economic, social, or cultural benefits to the state, and a realistic plan for how your business will operate.

Also, you have to show you can support yourself for at least a year while living in Portugal. For 2025, that means showing a bank balance of at least €10,440, which is based on the minimum monthly wage of €870.

2. Turkey Citizenship by Investment Program:

Turkey’s Citizenship by Investment (CBI) program offers six different ways to qualify, and starting a business is one of them. While it might not be the easiest route, it is rewarding, especially if you’re interested in building something long-term and making an impact on the local economy.

The Turkish government launched this program for the sole aim of Job creation.

The CBI program requirements:

• You must create at least 50 jobs for Turkish citizens
• Pay a minimum monthly salary of 22,104 TRY per employee (around $608 USD as of 2025)
• Be ready to manage the business yourself or hire someone to run it
• No set minimum investment amount — it’s all about how many jobs you create

The interesting thing about the CBI is that you don’t need to physically live in Turkey to get it, all you need is to keep a real, functioning business. Additionally, your spouse and dependent children can be included in the application to receive Turkish citizenship too.

Now the juicy part of the Turkish Citizenship by Investment is the entire process usually takes just 3–4 months and can be much quicker than you expect.

3. Australia Business Innovation Visa for Immigrants

If you’re an ambitious entrepreneur or investor dreaming of expanding into Australia, the Business Innovation Stream (subclass 188A) is where to start. While recent changes have shaken up Australia’s visa game, this route is still alive and well with opportunities to launch or take over a business and steer it toward long‑term success.

What does the 188A Business Innovation visa offer:

• Opportunity to setup a new business or take over an existing one in Australia
• Stay in the country for up to 4 years and 3 months, with the possibility of a 2‑year extension if your venture is thriving
• Bring your family along with you — partners and dependents are included under the same visa
• Eventually apply for permanent residency through the 888 subclass and even citizenship

Sounds interesting right? Now let’s take a dig at what is needed to apply.

The Basic Requirement for this visa application:

• Proof of business success abroad with at least 2 years of experience owning or managing a company with solid revenue.
• A minimum 65‑point score on the Business Innovation points test
• A compelling plan showing your active involvement in a real Australian business

After a successful application and you’re in Australia, you’ll need to actively manage your venture to ensure it is not a passive investment, providing relevant details of your business at regular milestones. Also, to keep this visa active, you must ensure to meet investment and performance targets outlined in your visa nomination.

After four years, if you’ve kept everything on track, you can apply for permanent residency via the subclass 888 visa, which focuses on growth, job creation, or innovation metrics. This is a good option for those with a proven track record and a serious business plan.

Meanwhile, the Australian government is shifting toward a new invitation‑only National Innovation Visa (NIV) aimed at elite entrepreneurs and innovators, with invites expected later this year. But while waiting, consider taking advantage of the open subclass 188A stream.

And if you care to explore more options on Australia visa especially as a skilled worker then Click Here Now

4. Colombian Business Visa

Colombia is hardly ever comes to mind when you think about launching an international business but maybe it should be. With one of South America’s strongest economies, a fast-growing tech scene, and a vibrant, welcoming culture, Colombia is quickly becoming a hotspot for global entrepreneurs.

But why must you consider Colombia? One of the biggest perks is your business visa and temporary residency in Colombia goes for less than USD $35,000 anmd this money goes straight into your company, so it’s not sitting in a holding account — it’s working for you from day one.

Also, you don’t need to be physically present in Colombia, but you are required to visit the country once every six months to keep it active. And if you able to keep this simple condition and can pass a basic Spanish and Colombian history test, you’ll be eligible for citizenship after just five years.

Benefits of the Colombian Passport:

• Offers visa-free, visa-on-arrival, or eVisa access to 138 countries
• Access to all of Central and South America
• Access to Schengen Area in Europe
• Access to traditionally tough countries like Russia

Intrestingly, Colombia allows dual citizenship, so you won’t have to give up your original passport.

What really sets Colombia apart is its pro-business mindset. The country has:

• A stable, growing economy recognized by investors and international outlets like Fortune Magazine
• One of the shortest time-frames to start a business in Latin America (according to the World Bank)
• A thriving start-up and tech scene, powered by a highly educated workforce; Colombia has the second-largest pool of skilled tech talent in the region

It is arguable that Colombia is one of the most underrated destinations for entrepreneurs right now. The business environment is ripe with opportunity, and the lifestyle is rich in culture, connection, and color. So if it isn’t on your radar yet, you better tilt your lens.

5. The South Korean D-8 Investor Visa:

South Korea is renown for its cultural, economical, and global presence. Ranging from K-pop and Korean dramas to world-class cuisine and tech innovation, it’s no wonder the country has become one of Asia’s hottest destinations.

And if you’re an entrepreneur or investor looking to get in on the action, South Korea’s D-8 Investor Visa your door to a fertile ground.

That said, South Korea has become much more selective over the years. As the expat population now exceeds one million, residence permits are harder to secure than they were a decade ago.

But what is this D-8 Visa?

The D-8 Investor Visa is designed for foreigners who want to:

• Invest in or start a business in South Korea
• Get a residence permit based on active, profit-generating business operations

Think of it as a hybrid visa, a mix between entrepreneurship and investment. You don’t need a Silicon Valley-level startup idea. You can launch a restaurant, a consulting firm, or even a lifestyle business, as long as it’s real, operational, and generates income.

Basic Requirements for the D-8 Visa:

• Minimum investment: KRW 100,000,000 (around USD $69,400)
• Business requirement: Must be a profit-generating company
• Renewal: Your visa will only be extended if the business is up and running successfully

The D-8 Investor Visa isn’t the easiest to obtain, but for those who can meet the investment requirements and build something real, it can be an amazing door into one of Asia’s most dynamic economies.