Why Invest Overseas?

Some of the most common reasons that motivate individuals to invest abroad include a wide range of opportunities, high standards of life, a business-friendly setting, and increased possibilities of citizenship.

The PR programs offered by foreign countries usually provide a wide range of benefits to both individuals and their businesses.

Settle Overseas with Your Family

Most countries abroad now offer favourable PR programs for HNWIs, businesspeople, entrepreneurs, and investors. With an increasing demand for overseas investors and attractive business conditions, now would be the right time to investigate your options for setting up your own business abroad. Investing in a foreign country would also be a great opportunity to settle abroad with your family in a new country.

At Y-Axis, we can help you choose the right residency option based on your preferences, goals, and profile.

Foreign countries usually offer a Business or investment visa to support immigrants with proven and established business experience and for those looking to invest or start a business overseas. Individuals interested in purchasing an existing business abroad or starting a new venture can apply for a business or investment visa.

Golden visa programs are often referred to as residence through investment programs. In recent times, an increasing number of people have expressed their interest in moving abroad and expanding their business in a foreign land. More individuals with the talent, skill, and resources to successfully set up a business abroad are looking to invest overseas.

By investing overseas, HNWIs (High-Net-Worth Individuals) can relocate to a different country and gain legal access to reside and work there. Others also look to invest overseas to obtain multiple residencies.

Canada and Australia offer Immigrant Investor programs that allow immigrants to have an alternate residency status while managing their current businesses in their home country. The investor programs appeal to potential investors with proven managerial experience and a high net worth.

Each country has its own investment program with different eligibility criteria and visa requirements.

Why Settle Abroad as an Entrepreneur?

The PR programs for entrepreneurs and investors offer benefits to the individual as well as the business.

Given below are some of the benefits of settling aboard as an entrepreneur:

• Get a high standard of life
• Avail healthcare and education facilities
• Move abroad and settle with your dependents in a new country
• Avail international investment opportunities
• Benefit from the favorable investment options (may vary based on the country)
• Expand your business globally
• Fast-tracked pathway to citizenship

Eligibility for Entrepreneurs & Investors

Different countries have different measures to assess the eligibility of an applicant. However, the general eligibility criteria for investors and entrepreneurs are as follows:

• Sufficient funds or financial resources to invest abroad
• A verified business profile
• Language proficiency in English or other local languages
• A verified banking history and business credentials
• Be in good health

Top Countries for Invest Overseas

Many countries abroad offer attractive and beneficial permanent residency options for entrepreneurs, business people, and HNWIs. Countries offer business or investment visas to encourage qualifying immigrants with proven expertise and skills to set up a business or invest overseas. Such individuals are often interested in either setting up their own business abroad or purchasing a business or company overseas.

The top 5 countries offering residence through investment are as follows:

• Canada
• Australia
• Ireland
• The UK
• Germany

Note: The requirements to qualify for the residency programs offered differ based on the country you are applying for.

Citizenship by Investment

Countries	Highlights
Canada	Minimum investment of CAD 350,000
	Canada PR
	Qualify for Citizenship after receiving PR and upon meeting eligibility
	Canadian Citizenship by Investment
Australia	Minimum investment of AUD 1.25 million
	Australia PR
	Qualify for Citizenship after receiving PR and upon meeting eligibility
	Australian Citizenship by Investment
UK	Minimum investment of GBP 2 million
	Investor Visa pathway
	Spend a specific amount of time in the UK
	Qualify for British citizenship after holding ILR for 1 year
Ireland	Minimum investment of €1 million
	Ireland Residency
	Qualify for Citizenship after 5 years
	Migrate with your family
	Ireland Citizenship by Investment
Germany	Invest Overseas
	Qualify for German Citizenship upon meeting eligibility

Top options for investing abroad

Countries abroad offer different residency-by-investment options for entrepreneurs and business people. However, the most sought-after and popular investment programs are listed below:

Canada’s Start-up Visa Program

The Canada start-up visa program is for entrepreneurs with the potential, skills, and experience to establish a business in Canada that:

1. Is innovative
2. Can create job opportunities for Canadians with the potential to compete internationally

The SUV program is perfect for individuals with innovative business ideas. However, they must be able to secure support and backup for the business plan from any of the designated Canadian organizations, such as venture capital funds, business incubators, or angel investor groups. You must secure a minimum investment of $200,000 from a designated Canadian venture capital fund or $75,000 from a Canadian designated angel investor group.

Individuals looking to invest in Quebec can explore the Quebec Immigration programs.

Successful applications that receive approval will be issued a PR visa, which includes an entry visa and a COPR (Confirmation of permanent residence)

Through Canada’s SUV, individuals can enter Canada through a work permit sponsored by a Canadian investor and then apply for a PR visa upon establishing a successful business there.

The SUV allows immigrant entrepreneurs to set up their businesses or start-ups in Canada. Entrepreneurs with successful applications can also associate with Canadian investors from the private sector to receive funding and business guidance.

The three major private sector investors in Canada are:

1. Venture capital fund
2. Business incubator
3. Angel investor

Eligibility requirements for SUV applicants

SUV applicants must fulfill the below eligibility requirements:

• Have a qualifying and eligible business
• Submit evidence that the business is backed by a designated entity (Letter of Support and Commitment Certificate)
• Meet the language proficiency in English or French
• Have complete post-secondary education
• Have sufficient funds to support their stay and their dependents in Canada
• Fulfill the medical requirements
• Maintain a clear criminal record

*Click here to know more about the Canada Start-up visa.

Australia Business Innovation & Investment

Australia offers many immigration options for individuals looking to invest and live as permanent residents. The Business innovation and investment pathways are for those who want to start a business, invest in Australia, or if you already own a business.

Australia offers the following investment overseas pathways:

• The Business Innovation and Investment (Permanent) visa (Subclass 888): For investors, entrepreneurs, or business people who wish to continue their business activities in Australia
• Business Owner visa (subclass 890): For those who wish to manage or own a business in Australia
• State or Territory Sponsored Business Owner visa (subclass 892): For those who can manage or own a business in Australia while allowing them to stay indefinitely

Australia’s Business Innovation and Investment (Provisional) visa offers an Entrepreneur stream that allows individuals to manage and own a business in Australia or to carry out entrepreneurial activities in Australia.

Eligibility requirements for the business innovation and investment pathways

• Have a valid proposal to carry out entrepreneurial activities in Australia
• Have a minimum funding agreement worth AUD200,000 to carry out a business in Australia
• Have a verified start-up business plan
• Have competency in the English language

The Subclass 188 visa program has seven different categories:

1. Business Innovation Stream: Under this category, you can set up a new business or manage an existing business in Australia, provided you have a nomination from an Australian territory or state government agency or Austrade.
2. Investor stream: You must have at least AUD 1.5 million in an Australian state or territory and be able to maintain and manage your business activities in Australia.
3. Significant Investor stream: You must be willing to invest a minimum of AUD 5 million and have a nomination from Austrade or an Australian state or territory government agency.
4. Business Innovation extension stream: You can extend your stay in Australia for an additional 2 years through this stream. To qualify for an extension, you must have held the Business Innovation stream visa for at least 3 years, along with a nomination from the Austrade or Australian state or territory government agency.
5. Significant Investor extension stream: Under this stream, you can extend your stay in Australia for an additional 4 years if you have held the Significant Investor stream visa for a minimum of 3 years. You must also have a nomination from Austrade or an Australian state or territory government agency.
6. Premium Investor stream: You must be willing to invest a minimum of AUD 15 million in Australian enterprises or contribute to philanthropic purposes. You must also have a nomination from Austrade.
7. Entrepreneur stream: You can carry out entrepreneurial or business-related activities in Australia with a visa under this stream.

Steps to Apply for a Provisional Business Visa

You can follow the 3-step process given below for a Provisional Business Visa:

Step 1: Submit an EOI via the official website

Step 2: Receive a nomination from an Australian state or territory

Step 3: Upon receiving an invitation, apply for the Subclass 188 visa.

You must perform the below activities with a Subclass 188 visa:

• Generate employment opportunities through your business in Australia
• Set up business connections with an international market
• Utilize the goods and services in Australia
• Produce goods and services that can be exported
• Create innovative and new technology

You can qualify for permanent residency in Australia with a Subclass 188 or the Business Innovation and Investment (Provisional) visa. You may be eligible for Australia PR if you have had the Subclass 188 visa for a minimum of 12 months and fulfill the income financial requirements for the visa.

Benefits of the Subclass 188 visa

• Reside in Australia permanently
• Get a chance to promote your business in Australia
• Qualify for citizenship upon meeting eligibility

Australia Significant Investor Visa

The Australia Significant Investor Visa, introduced in 2012, is for High-Net-Worth Individuals (HNWI) to get a PR in Australia visa investment. To be eligible for an Australian Significant Investor visa, individuals must be willing to invest a minimum of AUD 5 million. The Significant Investor visa, or the Australian Golden Visa, offers an immigration pathway to HNWIs through investments and comes with no age limit.

Path to permanent residency

The residency by investment program is ideally for wealthy and affluent individuals seeking permanent residency through investments in a foreign country. They can do so by investing or purchasing an existing business or property.

Successful applicants who acquire residency through investments can get the opportunity to move with their families to the country they are investing in. They will be issued a valid residence permit that can be renewed, provided the investments are maintained on time. In general, you do not need to be physically present in Australia. However, many countries abroad have residency requirements to qualify for PR or citizenship through investments.

How Y-Axis Can Help You?

Y-Axis helps investors and entrepreneurs make the right decisions with our comprehensive immigration solutions. We analyze the profiles and suggest the best solution for their personal and business goals.

Y-Axis will assist you in the following ways:

• Recognize the best residency program for you
• Counsel you about the finances and proof of funds to be demonstrated
• Advise you with the paperwork that is to be presented
• Assist you in filling out the forms
• Evaluate your papers and documentation before submission

Sign up with Y-Axis for end-to-end immigration assistance.