Visa & Immigration Services — Business, Investor & Entrepreneur Visas

Visa Programmes by Country

Business & Investor Visas —
Select Your Destination

Select a country to see the key visa programmes available. Each programme has different eligibility criteria, processing times and validity periods. CompanyVista assesses your specific situation before recommending a route.

⭐ Investor / Long-Term

UAE Golden Visa

10 Years — Renewable · Not Employer-Tied

→Who qualifies: Investors (AED 2M+ in real estate or public investment funds), established entrepreneurs, specialised talent (scientists, doctors, engineers, artists, athletes), outstanding students
→Key benefit: Not tied to an employer — remains valid regardless of job change. Can sponsor spouse, children and domestic workers
→Entrepreneur route: Approved project with minimum capital of AED 500,000 OR patent approval from UAE Ministry of Economy OR recommendation from a UAE business incubator
→Applications submitted through ICP (Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs & Port Security) or GDRFA (Dubai)
→CompanyVista prepares documentation, coordinates medical fitness and biometrics appointments

Investor / Shareholder

UAE Investor & Partner Visa

2–3 Years — Renewable

→Who qualifies: Shareholders and partners in UAE free zone or mainland companies. Most free zone formation packages include investor visa entitlement.
→Requires: UAE company with investor/shareholder status · Medical fitness test · Emirates ID · biometrics
→Allows sponsoring dependents — spouse, children, domestic workers
→Visa status linked to company — must maintain company in good standing for renewal
→CompanyVista coordinates investor visa as part of UAE company formation engagement

Employee

UAE Employment Visa

2–3 Years — Renewable

→Who qualifies: Employees of UAE registered companies with valid employment contracts registered through MOHRE (mainland) or free zone authority
→Linked to employer — cancelled on termination of employment. 30-day grace period to find new employer or depart
→WPS (Wage Protection System) salary payment required — salary registered in MOHRE system
→Dependents eligible — spouse and children under 18

Remote Work

UAE Remote Work Visa (Virtual Working Programme)

1 Year — Renewable

→Who qualifies: Remote workers employed by a company outside UAE, OR self-employed with minimum USD 3,500/month income
→Available through Dubai's Virtual Working Programme — other emirates have similar schemes
→No UAE personal income tax — remote salary earned tax-free in UAE
→Health insurance required. Accommodation proof required.
→Does NOT confer the right to work for a UAE entity — remote work for non-UAE employer only

Employer Sponsored

UK Skilled Worker Visa

Up to 5 Years — Leads to ILR after 5 years

→Points-based: Job offer from licensed UK sponsor (20pts) + skill level RQF3+ (20pts) + salary threshold (20pts) + English language (10pts)
→Salary threshold (from April 2024): General threshold raised to £38,700/year (or occupation going rate, whichever higher). Significant increase from previous £26,200.
→Employer must hold a valid UK Sponsor Licence — CompanyVista prepares Sponsor Licence applications
→Dependents eligible. Path to ILR (Indefinite Leave to Remain) after 5 years qualifying residence
→Some shortage occupations have lower salary thresholds — CompanyVista confirms applicable rate

Entrepreneur

UK Innovator Founder Visa

3 Years Initial — Renewable · Leads to ILR after 3 years

→Who qualifies: Entrepreneurs with an innovative, viable and scalable UK business idea — endorsed by an approved endorsing body
→Replaced the Innovator and Start-Up visas in April 2023. No minimum investment required.
→Endorsement from approved body is the key hurdle — business must be genuinely innovative, not a copy of an existing business
→CompanyVista assists with endorsement application preparation and business plan documentation
→ILR available after 3 years (shorter than Skilled Worker route)

Exceptional Talent

UK Global Talent Visa

Up to 5 Years — Fast track to ILR (3 years for leaders)

→Who qualifies: Leaders or potential leaders in digital technology, arts & culture, or academia & research
→No job offer required. No salary threshold. No minimum investment.
→Endorsed by recognised bodies — Tech Nation (digital tech, now UKTN), Arts Council England (arts), UKRI (research)
→Most prestigious UK visa route — significant freedom of movement and employment
→ILR after 3 years for endorsed leaders, 5 years for endorsed talent

Employer Tool

UK Sponsor Licence

4 Years — Renewable

→What it is: A licence granted to UK employers allowing them to sponsor non-UK workers on the Skilled Worker and other sponsored routes
→Requirements: UK registered company, genuine UK operation, adequate HR systems for tracking sponsored workers
→Application to the Home Office — decision typically 8 weeks. Priority service available (5–10 days)
→CompanyVista prepares the Sponsor Licence application, HR system checklist and supporting documents
→Without a valid Sponsor Licence, a UK employer cannot hire anyone on the Skilled Worker route

Investor

E-2 Treaty Investor Visa

2–5 Years (treaty-dependent) — Renewable Indefinitely

→Who qualifies: Nationals of E-2 treaty countries who invest substantially in a US business and direct its operations. Treaty countries include UK, Germany, Japan, South Korea, Australia, France, Italy, Netherlands, Turkey, many others.
→Not available to Indian or Chinese nationals — India and China have no E-2 treaty with the USA. Alternatives: L-1 or O-1 visa.
→No fixed minimum investment — but "substantial" relative to business cost. Typically $100K+ in practice for new businesses.
→Must be "at risk" — investment funds committed and irrevocable before application
→Spouse eligible for work authorisation (E-2 dependent). Children under 21 as dependents.

Intracompany Transfer

L-1 Intracompany Transferee Visa

L-1A (executives): up to 7 years · L-1B (specialised): up to 5 years

→Who qualifies: Employees transferring from a foreign company to its US affiliate, subsidiary or parent. Must have worked for the foreign company for at least 1 of the past 3 years in a managerial, executive or specialised knowledge role.
→L-1A (manager/executive): 3 years initial, up to 7 years total. L-1B (specialised knowledge): 3 years initial, up to 5 years.
→Excellent route for founders expanding from their international company to the USA — available to all nationalities including Indian and Chinese nationals
→Qualifying relationship between foreign and US entities must be established — CompanyVista assists with entity structure documentation

Extraordinary Ability

O-1 Extraordinary Ability Visa

3 Years Initial — 1-year Extensions

→Who qualifies: Individuals with extraordinary ability in sciences, arts, education, business or athletics — demonstrated through sustained national or international acclaim
→Evidence includes: major awards, published work, high salary relative to peers, critical role in distinguished organisations, media coverage
→Available to all nationalities — widely used by tech founders, media professionals, researchers and athletes
→No annual cap (unlike H-1B). No employer required for O-1B (arts). Fast processing available.

Permanent Residency

EB-1 / EB-2 National Interest Waiver

Permanent — US Green Card

→EB-1: Priority workers — extraordinary ability (O-1 equivalent), outstanding professors/researchers, or multinational executives/managers transferring to US affiliate
→EB-2 NIW: National Interest Waiver — advanced degree professionals whose work is in the US national interest. Self-petition possible (no employer required).
→EB-1 and EB-2 NIW are subject to per-country quotas — long waits for Indian nationals. EB-1C (multinational executive) may have shorter waits.
→CompanyVista provides advisory and document preparation — Green Card petition filing requires a qualified US immigration attorney

⚠️

US Immigration is highly complex. CompanyVista provides eligibility advisory, business document preparation and entity structure support. All USCIS petition filings for green cards require a qualified US immigration attorney. CompanyVista can refer clients to trusted US immigration law firms for petition work.

Professional

Employment Pass (EP)

1–2 Years Initial — Renewable up to 3 years

→Who qualifies: Foreign professionals, managers and executives earning above the minimum salary threshold, employed by a Singapore company
→COMPASS Framework (from September 2023): Points-based assessment — salary relative to local benchmark, qualifications, nationality diversity, strategic skills bonus. Company must score 40+ points.
→Minimum salary: SGD 5,000/month (SGD 5,500 for financial services sector)
→Application by employer via EPOL — processing: 3 weeks standard, 1 business day for SingPass-registered employers
→Dependents eligible for Dependent Pass (spouse, children) if EP holder earns SGD 6,000+/month

Entrepreneur

EntrePass

1 Year Initial — Renewable

→Who qualifies: Foreign entrepreneurs starting or running an innovative business in Singapore. No minimum salary threshold — designed for founders, not employees.
→Company must meet ONE of: VC/PE funding SGD 100,000+; IP registered with IPOS; collaboration with A*STAR, NUS, NTU or SMU; qualifying sector with strong business plan
→Allows holder to be director of their own Singapore company — the key advantage over EP
→Dependents eligible if holder employs 3+ locals OR has annual business spending of SGD 100,000+
→CompanyVista integrates EntrePass with Singapore company formation — coordinated as one engagement

Mid-Level

S Pass

2 Years — Renewable

→Minimum salary: SGD 3,150/month (from September 2023)
→Subject to quota — sector-dependent. Manufacturing/construction: up to 15%. Services/others: up to 10–18%.
→Employer pays Foreign Worker Levy — SGD 550–650/month per S Pass holder (additional employer cost)
→Dependents eligible if salary SGD 6,000+/month

⭐ Top Talent

ONE Pass (Overseas Networks & Expertise)

5 Years — Renewable

→Who qualifies: Top global talent earning SGD 30,000+/month OR demonstrated outstanding achievements in arts, culture, sports, academia or research
→Singapore's most prestigious work pass — allows simultaneous employment at multiple Singapore companies
→Spouse of ONE Pass holder eligible for Letter of Consent to work without separate EP/S Pass
→5-year validity — significantly longer than EP or EntrePass

Skilled Professional

EU Blue Card (Germany)

Up to 4 Years — Permanent Residency after 21–33 months

→Who qualifies: Non-EU professionals with a recognised university degree and a job offer in Germany meeting the salary threshold
→Salary threshold: EUR 45,300/year (2024). Shortage occupations (STEM, medicine, IT): EUR 35,100/year
→Fastest route to German permanent residency — after 21 months with B1 German, or 33 months without language requirement
→Valid across most EU member states (with some conditions) — holder can move to work in another EU country after 18 months
→Family reunification possible — spouse may work without separate permit

New — June 2024

Germany Opportunity Card (Chancenkarte)

1 Year (Job Search) — Transitions to Blue Card on Employment

→What it is: Germany's new points-based job search visa — allows skilled workers to enter Germany for up to 1 year to find employment, without a job offer.
→Points system: Recognised qualification (required) + German language (B1: 1pt, B2: 2pts) + work experience (3+ years: 1pt) + age (35 or under: 1pt) + prior German ties (1pt). Minimum 6 points required.
→On finding employment, converts to EU Blue Card or regular work permit — no need to leave Germany
→Can work up to 20 hours/week (trial work) while searching
→New as of June 2024 — CompanyVista advises on eligibility and assists with document preparation

Freelance / Self-Employed

Germany Freelancer Visa (§21a AufenthG)

Up to 3 Years

→Who qualifies: Self-employed professionals and freelancers from non-EU countries with genuine economic interest in Germany or regional need
→Must demonstrate: existing clients or contracts in Germany, financial sustainability, relevant professional qualifications
→Requirements differ for regulated vs unregulated professions — doctors, lawyers and architects face additional registration requirements
→German language skills helpful but not always required depending on profession

Residency by Investment

Portugal Golden Visa

2 Years Initial — Permanent Residency + Citizenship after 5 years

→Who qualifies: Investors in qualifying Portuguese assets. Real estate investment route closed as of October 2023.
→Current qualifying options: EUR 500,000+ in qualifying investment funds or capital transfer; creation of 10+ permanent jobs; EUR 250,000+ in arts, culture or national heritage; EUR 500,000+ in scientific research
→Gateway to EU residency and Portuguese/EU citizenship after 5 years — must spend minimum 7 days/year in Portugal
→Entire family eligible. NHR (Non-Habitual Residency) tax regime may apply — 20% flat rate on Portuguese-source income for 10 years

Digital Nomad

Portugal D8 Digital Nomad Visa

1–2 Years — Leads to Residency

→Who qualifies: Remote workers and freelancers earning income from outside Portugal
→Minimum income: 4× Portuguese minimum wage (~EUR 3,480/month in 2024)
→Health insurance + proof of accommodation required
→Leads to Portuguese residency and eventual citizenship. NHR tax regime applies — 20% flat rate on Portuguese-source income.

Startup

Canada Startup Visa

Work Permit Initially — Permanent Residency Pathway

→Who qualifies: Entrepreneurs with innovative business ideas supported by a Canadian designated VC, angel network or business incubator
→Each founding member must hold 10%+ voting rights; designated org must hold 10%+ at application
→Letter of Support from designated organisation is the critical requirement
→Processing times have been lengthy (12–36 months). Interim work permit allows starting business while waiting.

Skilled Worker

Australia Global Talent & TSS Visa

TSS (482): 2–4 years · Global Talent (858): Permanent

→Global Talent (858): Permanent residency for highly skilled professionals in target sectors — AgriFood, Energy, Health, Defence, Fintech, Cybersecurity, Space and others. AUD 153,600+ salary. Internationally recognised achievement required.
→Temporary Skills Shortage (TSS/482): Employer-sponsored skilled worker visa. Occupation on MLTSSL/STSOL list required. Market salary rate.
→Australia Business Innovation & Investment (188A) for business owners with AUD 800K+ assets and AUD 500K+ annual turnover — state nomination required

How It Works

From Eligibility Check
to Visa Approved

Free Eligibility Consultation

CompanyVista reviews your nationality, business situation, financial position, intended country of residence and objectives — and maps the available visa routes. For UAE: investor vs Golden Visa vs remote work. For UK: Skilled Worker vs Innovator Founder vs Global Talent. For USA: E-2 (treaty country nationals only) vs L-1 vs O-1. We identify the most suitable route and the realistic likelihood of approval before any commitment or government fee payment.

⏱ Free — typically 30–45 minutes

Document Checklist & Gap Analysis

CompanyVista prepares a complete document checklist for the selected visa route — every form, certificate, financial statement, business plan, reference letter and photograph required. We identify any gaps (documents you don't yet have) and advise on how to obtain them. A timeline is confirmed — applications submitted without the correct documents are rejected with government fees forfeited.

⏱ Checklist prepared within 3 business days

Written Quote — Government Fees Confirmed

All government visa fees are Misc Charges confirmed in your written quote at exact cost before any payment. CompanyVista's professional fee for document preparation and application coordination is also confirmed. No surprise costs mid-application. For UAE investor visa, the medical fitness test, Emirates ID and biometrics have separate government fees — all listed in the quote.

⏱ Written quote within 24 hours of consultation

Document Preparation & Application Submission

CompanyVista prepares all application forms, organises supporting documents, drafts business plans or cover letters where required, and coordinates the application submission. For online applications (UAE ICP, UK Visa & Immigration, Singapore EPOL, Germany online portal): submitted electronically. For in-person applications: appointment coordinated and document package prepared for the client to present. The client attends biometrics, medicals and interviews in person as required by the immigration authority.

⏱ Application ready within 5–10 business days of documents received

Application Tracking & Authority Liaison

CompanyVista tracks application status and liaises with the relevant authority where status updates or additional information are required. If the authority issues a query or request for further documents, CompanyVista coordinates the response within the required timeframe. Processing times vary significantly by jurisdiction — UAE investor visa: 2–5 working days. UK Skilled Worker: 3–8 weeks. Singapore EP: 3 weeks. Germany Blue Card: 1–3 months. CompanyVista confirms realistic timelines at the outset.

⏱ Tracked daily — updates shared immediately on receipt

Visa Approved — Renewal Tracking

On visa approval, CompanyVista records the visa validity dates in your compliance calendar and sets renewal reminders at 6 months, 3 months and 1 month before expiry. Most visas are renewable — renewal documentation is prepared well before expiry. For UAE investor visa and employment visa, renewal is linked to company good standing — CompanyVista coordinates both simultaneously. For UK ILR eligibility tracking, CompanyVista monitors qualifying residence.

⏱ Renewal reminders at 6 months, 3 months, 1 month before expiry

Frequently Asked Questions

Visa & Immigration —
Questions Answered

What is the UAE Golden Visa and who qualifies? +

The UAE Golden Visa is a long-term residence visa valid for 10 years (renewable) that is not tied to a specific employer. Qualifying categories include: investors with AED 2 million or more in UAE real estate or public investment funds; entrepreneurs with an approved project of AED 500,000+ minimum capital or a patent approved by the UAE Ministry of Economy; specialised talent in priority fields (scientists, engineers, doctors, artists, athletes, outstanding graduates); and real estate investors. Golden Visa holders can sponsor their spouse, children and domestic workers, and do not need to renew every 2–3 years like standard visas. CompanyVista prepares documentation and coordinates the application through ICP or GDRFA.

What is the Singapore EntrePass and is it right for me as a founder? +

The Singapore EntrePass is specifically designed for foreign entrepreneurs who want to start and operate their own business in Singapore — unlike the Employment Pass which requires an employer sponsor, the EntrePass allows the holder to be the director of their own company. To qualify, the Singapore company must meet at least one criterion: received VC/PE funding of SGD 100,000+; holds IP registered with IPOS; has a collaboration agreement with A*STAR, NUS, NTU or SMU; or operates in a qualifying high-growth sector with a business plan endorsed by a government agency. The EntrePass is the right visa if you are the founder — the Employment Pass is for employees hired by an existing company.

Is the USA E-2 visa available to Indian and Chinese nationals? +

No — the E-2 Treaty Investor Visa is only available to nationals of countries that have a bilateral E-2 treaty with the United States. India and China do not have E-2 treaties. Indian and Chinese nationals cannot apply for an E-2 visa regardless of the investment amount. Alternatives for Indian and Chinese entrepreneurs include: the L-1 Intracompany Transferee visa (if they already have a qualifying foreign company with a US affiliate), the O-1 Extraordinary Ability visa (if they can demonstrate exceptional achievement), or the EB-2 National Interest Waiver (Green Card pathway). CompanyVista advises on the right alternative during the free eligibility consultation.

What is Germany's new Opportunity Card and who can apply? +

Germany launched the Chancenkarte (Opportunity Card) in June 2024 — a new points-based job search visa allowing skilled workers from outside the EU to enter Germany for up to one year to find employment, without needing a job offer first. Eligibility requires: a recognised professional qualification (mandatory) plus a minimum of 6 points from: German language skills (B1: 1pt, B2: 2pts), work experience of 3+ years (1pt), being aged 35 or under (1pt), and having a spouse with a recognised German qualification or prior German education ties (1pt). While in Germany on the Opportunity Card, holders can work up to 20 hours per week on a trial basis. Once employed, the card converts to a Blue Card or work permit without needing to leave Germany.

What does the UK Sponsor Licence allow an employer to do? +

A UK Sponsor Licence allows a UK employer to sponsor non-UK workers on the Skilled Worker route (and certain other routes). Without a valid Sponsor Licence, a UK employer cannot hire anyone who requires a Skilled Worker visa. The Sponsor Licence is granted by the Home Office, valid for 4 years and renewable. Requirements include: a genuine UK-registered business with a genuine UK operation, appropriate HR systems for monitoring sponsored workers, and no history of immigration law violations. CompanyVista prepares the Sponsor Licence application, HR system documentation checklist and covering letters. Decision typically takes 8 weeks — a priority service is available for faster decisions.

What changed with the UK Skilled Worker visa salary threshold? +

From April 2024, the UK Skilled Worker visa general salary threshold was raised significantly from £26,200 to £38,700 per year (or the going rate for the specific occupation if higher). This was a major increase intended to reduce net migration. There are exceptions for some shortage occupations and public sector roles (teachers, nurses) which have lower thresholds. The increase means many roles that previously qualified no longer meet the threshold. CompanyVista confirms the applicable salary threshold for each specific occupation and employer before preparing the Skilled Worker application.

Can a digital nomad visa lead to permanent residency? +

It depends on the country. Portugal's D8 digital nomad visa can lead to Portuguese residency and eventually citizenship after 5 years — Portugal is one of the most popular for this reason. Estonia's digital nomad visa does not directly lead to residency in the same way but e-Residency and Estonian company formation are available separately. UAE remote work visa is a 1-year permit without a direct PR pathway (the UAE does not grant permanent residency in the traditional sense). Spain and Greece digital nomad visas can lead to residency after meeting qualifying criteria. CompanyVista advises on the residency pathway implications of each programme during the free consultation.

Does holding a UAE investor visa give me a tax benefit? +

UAE residence (through investor or employment visa) means you are a UAE resident for the purposes of establishing tax residency. UAE has no personal income tax, no capital gains tax and no wealth tax. If you can demonstrate that UAE is your primary country of residence (spending sufficient time there, having a UAE residence visa, maintaining a UAE home), you may be able to exit the tax residency of your previous home country — potentially reducing your overall tax burden significantly. However, tax residency rules vary by your home country — the UK, USA, Australia and India all have their own rules about when a person ceases to be a tax resident. CompanyVista advises on the general framework; specific tax residency advice requires a qualified tax advisor in your home jurisdiction.

Does CompanyVista handle visa refusals and appeals? +

CompanyVista can review a refused application and advise on the reason for refusal and whether grounds exist for a re-application with strengthened documentation. We can prepare a stronger re-application for straightforward cases. However, formal administrative reviews, appeal proceedings before immigration tribunals and legal representation in contested cases are outside CompanyVista's scope — these require qualified immigration lawyers. CompanyVista can refer clients to trusted immigration law firms for appeal and litigation matters. The best approach to refusals is prevention — thorough eligibility assessment and complete documentation before the initial application.

How does the Singapore COMPASS framework affect EP applications? +

COMPASS (Complementary Assessment Framework) was introduced in September 2023 for Employment Pass applications. It is a points-based system where the sponsoring company must achieve at least 40 points across four criteria: (1) Candidate's salary compared to local benchmark for the occupation (up to 20pts); (2) Candidate's qualifications (up to 10pts); (3) Company's workforce diversity — percentage of foreign employees from the same nationality (up to 20pts); (4) Support for strategic skills — whether the role is on the Shortage Occupation List (up to 20pts). Companies with a high concentration of employees from any single nationality may score lower on diversity — meaning highly qualified candidates may still be refused if the company profile is unfavourable. CompanyVista assesses COMPASS eligibility before submission.

Business, Investor & Entrepreneur Visas
Across 30+ Countries

Visa & immigration matters are handled under
VisaVista.us

Business & Investor Visas —
Select Your Destination

Live Where You Choose —
35+ Digital Nomad Programmes

From Eligibility Check
to Visa Approved

Free Eligibility Consultation

Document Checklist & Gap Analysis

Written Quote — Government Fees Confirmed

Document Preparation & Application Submission

Application Tracking & Authority Liaison

Visa Approved — Renewal Tracking

Why Choose CompanyVista & VisaVista.us
for Visa & Immigration?

Visa + Company — One Engagement

Honest Eligibility Assessment

Renewal Tracking — Never Lapse

35+ Digital Nomad Programmes

Clear Scope — Honest Referrals

Government Fees at Exact Cost

Visa & Immigration —
Questions Answered

Find the Right Visa Route —
Free Eligibility Consultation

Visa & Immigration Services — 30+ Countries, 2025 Guide

Business, Investor & Entrepreneur VisasAcross 30+ Countries

Visa & immigration matters are handled underVisaVista.us

Business & Investor Visas —Select Your Destination

Live Where You Choose —35+ Digital Nomad Programmes

From Eligibility Checkto Visa Approved

Free Eligibility Consultation

Document Checklist & Gap Analysis

Written Quote — Government Fees Confirmed

Document Preparation & Application Submission

Application Tracking & Authority Liaison

Visa Approved — Renewal Tracking

Why Choose CompanyVista & VisaVista.usfor Visa & Immigration?

Visa + Company — One Engagement

Honest Eligibility Assessment

Renewal Tracking — Never Lapse

35+ Digital Nomad Programmes

Clear Scope — Honest Referrals

Government Fees at Exact Cost

Visa & Immigration —Questions Answered

Services That WorkAlongside Visa & Immigration

Find the Right Visa Route —Free Eligibility Consultation

Visa & Immigration Services — 30+ Countries, 2025 Guide

Business, Investor & Entrepreneur Visas
Across 30+ Countries

Visa & immigration matters are handled under
VisaVista.us

Business & Investor Visas —
Select Your Destination

Live Where You Choose —
35+ Digital Nomad Programmes

From Eligibility Check
to Visa Approved

Why Choose CompanyVista & VisaVista.us
for Visa & Immigration?

Visa & Immigration —
Questions Answered

Services That Work
Alongside Visa & Immigration

Find the Right Visa Route —
Free Eligibility Consultation