Launching Your Future Abroad:
Entrepreneur & Start-Up Visas in Canada, Serbia, and the United States

Canada: Start-Up Visa (SUV)

Eligibility Criteria:

Canada’s Start-Up Visa Program offers permanent residency to entrepreneurs who can launch a business that is innovative, creates jobs for Canadians, and can compete globally. This is one of the only programs in the world that grants permanent residency from the outset - not just a work permit - to early-stage founders with the right idea and the right support.

Eligibility Criteria:

• Entrepreneurs with scalable, innovative business ideas
• A Letter of Support from a designated organisation: venture capital fund, angel investor group, or business incubator
• Language proficiency (minimum CLB 5 in English or French)
• Proof of sufficient settlement funds

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Why It Stands Out:

Unlike most entrepreneur immigration programs, Canada’s SUV does not require a minimum personal investment. If your business idea is endorsed by a Designated Organization (DO), you may apply directly for permanent residency. It is ideal for early-stage founders who need flexibility and time to build their ventures.

Recent Changes:

Due to rising demand, the Canadian government has introduced new limits. Each Designated Organisation (DO) may now issue only 10 Letters of Support per year. 

Additionally, the total number of accepted SUV applicants will be reduced to 2,000 in 2025, and just 1,000 per year in 2026 and 2027. This change has made the program more exclusive and competitive.

Step-by-Step Process:

• Develop a qualifying business concept
• Secure a Letter of Support from a Designated Organization
• Apply for permanent residency under the Start-Up Visa program
• Optionally apply for a work permit to begin operations while your PR is processed
• Establish and scale your business in Canada

Read more in our dedicated Gateway to Entrepreneurship in Canada blog.
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Serbia: Temporary Residence by Company Formation

‍Program Overview:

Serbia offers a clear path to temporary residence through company formation, allowing entrepreneurs to launch and run a business in the heart of Southeast Europe. It is ideal for consultants, freelancers, and founders seeking access to European markets with lower start-up costs.

Eligibility Criteria:

1. Individuals who open and register a Serbian company
2. Required proof of business activity and financial capability
3. Requires a valid health insurance and proof of accommodation in Serbia

Why It Stands Out:

Serbia offers one of the most affordable and founder-friendly business environments in Europe. The corporate tax is capped at 15%, the company registration process is simple, and entrepreneurs can apply for permanent residency after five years. 

This visa category is ideal for those seeking long-term growth in a stable yet cost-effective market.

Recent Changes:

Serbia has upgraded its online registration and visa processing systems, making it easier to launch and manage a company remotely.

There has also been increased government collaboration with international recruitment and tech hubs to attract skilled entrepreneurs.

Step-by-Step Process:

1. ‍Register your business entity in Serbia
2. Gather all required documentation (proof of activity, financials, and housing)
3. Apply for your temporary residence permit
4. Renew annually based on business performance‍
5. Apply for permanent residency after five years

United States: E-2 and EB-5 Business & Investment Visas

Program Overview:

The United States offers two well-known entrepreneur visa pathways:

• E-2 Visa for nationals of treaty countries who are making a substantial investment in a US-based business
  
  
• EB-5 Visa for investors who create 10 or more full-time jobs for US workers through a qualifying investment
  
  

Eligibility Criteria:

• E-2 Visa: Requires a substantial investment and majority ownership in a US-based active business
• EB-5 Visa: Requires an investment of $800,000 to $1.05 million and the creation of at least ten full-time jobs for US workers

Why It Stands Out:

Both programs offer long-term potential, with the EB-5 visa offering direct access to a Green Card and permanent residency. E-2 visa holders can renew indefinitely, provided their business continues to operate. Both options include dependent visas for spouses and children under 21.

Recent Changes:

EB-5 visa applications are now subject to more rigorous source-of-funds checks and job creation audits. Processing times have improved, but documentation requirements have become stricter. 

The E-2 visa remains limited to nationals from treaty countries.

Step-by-Step Process:

For E-2:

1. Prepare a business plan and make a qualifying investment
2. Apply for the E-2 visa with full documentation
3. Enter the US and begin business operations
   
   

For EB-5:

1. Make a qualifying investment in a new or regional center business
2. Submit Form I-526 and supporting financial documentation
3. Receive a conditional Green Card
4. Apply to remove conditions after two years

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What Kind of Support Do Applicants Most Commonly Need?

For many entrepreneurs, the greatest challenge is not the vision - it is the process. Turning a promising business idea into a successful visa application requires more than just passion. It demands precision, compliance, and a strong strategy.

Here is where people most often need help:

• Program Matching: Not every business fits every immigration stream. Matching your idea to the right program based on your industry, business stage, and long-term goals is one of the first and most important decisions to get right.
  
  
• Business Plan Guidance: Business plans must meet legal and immigration-specific standards, showing not only market potential but also economic contribution, feasibility, and local benefit.
  
  
• Understanding the Documentation: From proof of ownership and funding to incorporation records and detailed financials, the paperwork must be complete and consistent. If you are unfamiliar with what immigration officials expect, this part alone can slow everything down.
  
  
• Legal and Regulatory Compliance: Different countries require different legal steps for launching a business. Working with qualified partners helps you meet all conditions while avoiding regulatory pitfalls.
  
  
• After-Arrival Support: Launching a company in a new country brings challenges beyond the visa itself, from opening bank accounts and hiring local staff to understanding your responsibilities as a business owner.
  
  

Final Thoughts

Entrepreneurship is one of the most ambitious and empowering ways to build a new life abroad. Whether you are applying through Canada’s Start-Up Visa program, launching a business in Serbia, or investing in the United States, your business has the power to open doors to long-term residency, stability, and global opportunity.

But no two journeys look the same.

Immigration through entrepreneurship is not just about forms and documents - it is about taking a vision and turning it into a future. That takes clarity, planning, and the right support.

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How We Help:

From changing requirements to complex paperwork, this path is rarely simple but always worth it. With the right support, it can become smooth, clear, and full of possibility.

At Diverse Visa, we specialize in helping entrepreneurs take their business vision and transform it into an immigration success story. Our team helps you:

• Understand which visa option aligns best with your goals
• Prepare a compliant and compelling business plan
• Collect and organize your immigration documentation
• Connect with trusted legal and industry partners
• Navigate each step with clarity and confidence
  
  

If you are considering this path but are unsure where to start, we will help you choose the program that gives you the highest chance of success based on your unique situation.

Your idea deserves a real chance. Your future deserves a clear plan. Let us help you build both.

Fill out the form to start your journey!