Which countries offer a self-employment visa visa?

VisaPassage tracks 57 countries offering a self-employment visa route — 57 with fully verified government fees, processing times and rights, and 0 more at summary level. Every entry is checked against official sources and describes typical eligibility, never a promise of approval.

Does a self-employment visa visa lead to permanent residency?

In 51 of the tracked self-employment visa routes there is a statutory path to permanent residency — the fastest reaches PR 1 year in Belize. These are statutory minimums and may vary by individual circumstances; they are never a guarantee.

Can you work on a self-employment visa visa?

Work rights vary by country: 56 of the tracked self-employment visa routes carry some form of work permission — see the Rights column in the comparison table for each country's specific terms. Confirm against the official source before relying on it.

Visa types · Work & Self-Employment

Self-Employment Visa visa

Run your own business or sole proprietorship in the country.

57 countries with verified fees and rights.

						Rights
Albania Albania Unique Permit - Self-Employment	—	60 days	—	—	5 years	Work: Authorises the registered self-employed activity in Albania. Study: Incidental study permitted. Residency after 5 years Family: Family members may join via family reunification.
Andorra Andorra Passive Residence for Professionals with International Projection	€2,500	60 days	—	—	—	Work: Professional activity based in Andorra but serving mainly foreign clients (>=85% abroad); may employ at most one worker. Study: Holder and dependants may study in Andorra. Residency: Renews 2+2+3 then 10-year blocks; counts toward the 20 years for naturalisation. Family: Dependants included with an additional per-person AFA deposit.
Armenia Armenia Private Entrepreneur Residence (Freelancer / Remote Worker Route)	AMD 105,000	45 days	—	—	3 years	Work: Sole entrepreneur (PE); popular remote route Study: May enroll in study programs Residency after 3 years Family: Spouse and children get temp residence
Austria Red-White-Red Card – Self-employed Key Workers	€218	—	—	—	5 years	Work: Self-employment as described in application Residency after 5 years Family: Family get RWR Card plus; spouse can work
Azerbaijan Azerbaijan TRP for Entrepreneurs and Business Heads	—	—	—	—	2 years	Work: Authorises the declared entrepreneurial or branch-leadership activity. Study: Lawful residence permits study. Residency after 2 years
Bahrain Bahrain Flexible Work Permit (self-sponsored)	—	—	—	—	5 years	Work: Work for multiple employers or self-employed; excludes government and some restricted jobs. Study: Permitted subject to enrolment rules. Residency after 5 years
Barbados Barbados Self-Employed / Entrepreneur Work Permit	BBD 300	84 days	—	—	5 years	Work: Authorises the declared self-employed business activity. Residency after 5 years
Belgium Belgium Professional Card for Self-Employed Foreigners	€242	—	—	—	5 years	Work: Self-employment only, in the activity covered by the card. Study: May study alongside self-employment. Residency after 5 years Family: Family reunification possible subject to income conditions.
Belize Belize Self-Employed Employment Permit	BZD 3,000	30 days	—	—	1 year	Work: Authorises the declared self-employed business activity for the permit period. Study: Lawful residence permits study alongside the business. Residency after 1 year
Bosnia and Herzegovina Bosnia and Herzegovina Temporary Residence for Business / Company Founder	BAM 150	60 days	—	—	5 years	Work: May work for the own company without a separate work permit. Study: Lawful residence permits study alongside the business. Residency after 5 years
Botswana Botswana Self-Employment / Investor Work Permit	—	14 days	—	—	5 years	Work: Authorises operation of the applicant's own approved business in Botswana. Residency after 5 years
Bulgaria Bulgaria Self-Employment / Freelance Residence Permit	€100	60 days	—	—	5 years	Work: Self-employed/freelance activity as authorised by the freelance permit. Study: Incidental study permitted. Residency after 5 years Family: Family reunification available.
Cabo Verde Cabo Verde Temporary Visa (Visto Temporario)	—	—	—	365 days	5 years	Work: Permits the documented professional/technical activity for up to one year; not open-ended employment. Residency after 5 years
Cabo Verde Cabo Verde Temporary Residence for Independent Activity	—	—	—	—	5 years	Work: Authorises the declared independent professional or service activity. Study: Lawful residence permits study alongside the activity. Residency after 5 years Family: Family members can join via family reunification.
Cambodia Cambodia Self-Employment / Entrepreneur Route (Type E to EB)	$35	14 days	—	365 days	—	Work: Self-employment permitted with company registration and a work permit. Study: Study allowed alongside business activity. Residency: Renewable EB extensions; lawful long-term residence supports permanent residence. Family: Family join on dependent EB extensions.
Colombia Colombia M Migrant Visa - Independent Professional	$230	30 days	—	—	5 years	Work: Authorised to practise the recognised profession/trade independently. Study: Study permitted alongside professional activity. Residency after 5 years Family: Spouse/partner and dependent children may apply as beneficiaries.
Costa Rica Costa Rica Self-Employed Worker Residency	$50	—	—	—	3 years	Work: Own business/self-employment allowed Study: Study permitted Residency after 3 years Family: Spouse + dependent children included
Côte d'Ivoire Côte d'Ivoire Self-Employment / Commercial Activity Residence	F CFA 300,000	15 days	—	—	—	Work: Authorises the declared commercial/self-employed activity. Study: Lawful residence permits study. Residency: 5-year renewable resident card; no fixed statutory PR timeline published.
Croatia Croatia Self-Employment Stay and Work Permit (Company/Craft Owner)	€74.32	90 days	€2,173.50	—	5 years	Work: Own business/craft, 51%+ ownership Study: Permitted alongside work Residency after 5 years Family: Family reunification allowed
Czechia Long-term Visa for the Purpose of Business (Živno / Trade Licence)	CZK 5,000	90 days	—	365 days	5 years	Work: Self-employment via trade licence Study: Study permitted alongside business Residency after 5 years Family: Family reunification permitted
Denmark Denmark EU Residence as a Self-Employed Person	DKK 0	30 days	—	—	5 years	Work: Full right to run the self-employed business; broad work access under EU rules. Study: Study allowed. Residency after 5 years Family: Family members (incl. non-EU) derive residence rights.
Ecuador Ecuador Temporary Residence Visa - Autonomous Work / Professional Services / Sponsorship	$320	30 days	—	—	2 years	Work: Permits autonomous/professional services work under the declared activity. Study: Residents may enrol in study. Residency after 2 years Family: Dependants under amparo category; +USD 250/month income per dependant.
Estonia Estonia Residence Permit for Business as Sole Proprietor (FIE)	€350	90 days	—	—	5 years	Work: Self-employed as FIE Study: Study permitted alongside business Residency after 5 years Family: Spouse and minor children may join
Finland Finland Residence Permit for an Entrepreneur	€650	—	—	—	6 years	Work: No work restrictions once granted; income must come primarily from the business. Study: May study alongside running the business. Residency after 6 years Family: Family members may apply on the basis of family ties, subject to an income requirement.
France France Entrepreneur / Profession Liberale Permit	€99	—	€1,867.02	—	5 years	Work: Run your business/liberal activity Study: Study permitted Residency after 5 years
Germany Germany Self-Employment Residence Permit	€75	—	—	—	3 years	Work: Self-employed, permit-tied Residency after 3 years Family: Spouse may work; children may join
Grenada Grenada Temporary Residence Permit	—	—	—	—	5 years	Study: Lawful residence permits study. Residency after 5 years Family: Dependants may be included subject to proof of support.
Guatemala Guatemala Temporary Residence - Self-Employed Worker	$200	—	—	—	5 years	Work: Authorised to carry on the declared self-employed/commercial activity. Study: Residents may study. Residency after 5 years Family: Dependants admitted under the migrant-worker rules.
Honduras Honduras Special Residence (Agreement 374-2025)	$150	—	$750	—	—	Study: Lawful residence permits study. Residency: Time accrued counts toward permanent immigrant status and naturalisation. Family: Family members may be added via dependent or family-link categories.
Hungary Hungary Residence Permit for Guest Self-Employment	€110	21 days	—	—	3 years	Work: Self-employment / own business Study: Study permitted Residency after 3 years Family: Family after 1 yr / re-issue
Iceland Iceland Residence Permit on Grounds of a Legitimate and Special Purpose	ISK 40,000	—	—	—	4 years	Work: Depends on the approved purpose; self-employment/own-business activity may be permitted where that is the stated purpose. Study: Permitted alongside the special purpose. Residency after 4 years Family: Family reunification possible subject to support and housing requirements.
Italy Italy Self-Employment Visa	€116	120 days	—	—	5 years	Work: Self-employed/freelance work allowed Study: Study permitted Residency after 5 years Family: Family reunification allowed
Kuwait Kuwait Self-Sponsorship Residence (Article 24)	KWD 500	45 days	—	—	—	Work: Permits the approved independent/self-employed activity; conditions set by the ministry. Family: Dependents may be sponsored at roughly KWD 100/year per dependent subject to conditions.
Latvia Latvia Residence Permit for Self-Employed Persons	€100	30 days	—	—	5 years	Work: May work in own business Study: Study permitted alongside residence Residency after 5 years Family: Spouse and minor children included
Liechtenstein Liechtenstein Residence for Self-Employment	—	90 days	—	—	5 years	Work: Authorises the declared self-employed activity once licences are obtained. Study: Lawful residents may study. Residency after 5 years Family: Spouse and children may join once the permit holder resides in Liechtenstein.
Luxembourg Luxembourg Residence Permit for Self-Employed Third-Country Workers	€80	90 days	—	—	5 years	Work: Limited to the authorised self-employed activity. Study: Study permitted alongside the activity. Residency after 5 years Family: Family reunification available subject to income and housing conditions.
Madagascar Madagascar Self-Employed / Freelance Residence	—	90 days	—	—	3 years	Work: Authorises the registered independent activity, not employee work for a third party. Study: Lawful residence permits study. Residency after 3 years Family: Spouse and minor children may obtain dependent residence permits.
Malta Malta Self-Employment Permit (third-country nationals)	€600	—	—	—	5 years	Work: Own business / self-employment Study: Residents may study Residency after 5 years Family: Family reunification after qualifying
Mauritius Mauritius Occupation Permit — Self-Employed	—	30 days	—	—	5 years	Work: Self-employed in the registered services activity Study: Resident; may study Residency after 5 years Family: Dependants may obtain linked permits
Monaco Monaco Sole-Trader Business Permit (Self-Employment)	—	45 days	—	—	10 years	Work: Authorises only the declared independent professional activity. Study: As a Monaco resident, may also study. Residency after 10 years Family: Family members obtain residence cards on the standard resident track.
Montenegro Montenegro Temporary Residence for Self-Employment / Business	—	40 days	—	—	5 years	Work: Authorises the declared business activity through the registered company. Study: Lawful residence permits study. Residency after 5 years
Morocco Morocco Residence Permit - Self-Employed / Independent Activity	—	—	—	—	4 years	Work: Independent/professional activity for which authorisation is granted. Study: Permitted. Residency after 4 years Family: Family via reunification permits.
Netherlands Netherlands Self-Employed Person Residence Permit	€423	90 days	€1,734.57	—	5 years	Work: Self-employed work only Study: Study allowed alongside business Residency after 5 years Family: Family included as dependents
North Macedonia North Macedonia Temporary Residence for Self-Employment / Business	€70	30 days	—	—	5 years	Work: Authorises the declared business activity; work for the company requires a work permit. Study: Lawful residence permits study. Residency after 5 years
Norway Norway Residence Permit for Self-Employed Persons	NOK 6,300	—	NOK 341,373	—	3 years	Work: Work permitted only within the registered self-employed business that founds the permit. Study: Study alongside self-employment is generally possible. Residency after 3 years Family: Spouse/cohabitant and children may apply for family immigration.
Oman Oman Self-Employment / Professional Residence	—	30 days	—	—	—	Work: Work limited to the licensed activity Study: Resident; may study Family: May sponsor family subject to income
Paraguay Paraguay Residence for Self-Employed and Business Owners	PYG 27,875.50	45 days	—	—	2 years	Work: Full right to carry out self-employed and business activity. Study: Full access to study. Residency after 2 years Family: Dependent spouse and children may be included.
Portugal Portugal D2 Independent Work / Entrepreneur Visa	€110	75 days	—	—	5 years	Work: Self-employment/business activity Study: Study permitted Residency after 5 years Family: Family reunification included
Romania Romania Long-Stay Visa for Professional Activities (D/AP)	€300	30 days	—	—	5 years	Work: Exercise of the recognised independent profession in Romania. Residency after 5 years Family: Family reunification available once the sponsor holds a 1-year residence permit.
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Self-Employed Work Permit	EC$200	49 days	—	—	7 years	Work: Authorises the declared self-employed activity for the permit period. Residency after 7 years
Senegal Senegal Self-Employment / Independent Activity Residence	F CFA 15,200	—	—	—	—	Work: Authorises the declared independent/business activity; not employment for a third party.
Serbia Serbia Temporary Residence and Work for Self-Employment / Company Formation	—	15 days	—	—	3 years	Work: Authorised to operate the registered business/self-employment. Study: May study alongside the activity. Residency after 3 years Family: Family join via family reunification.
Seychelles Seychelles Gainful Occupation Permit (Self-Employed / Business)	SCR 1,000	5 days	—	—	5 years	Work: Authorises self-employment in the approved registered business only. Residency after 5 years Family: Dependants can be endorsed via a Dependant's Permit.
Slovenia Slovenia Single Permit for Self-Employment	€102	—	—	—	5 years	Work: Self-employed work; one-year residence rule unless registered for an independent professional activity. Study: Study permitted alongside the activity. Residency after 5 years Family: Family reunification possible after one year of residence.
Spain Spain Self-Employed Work Visa (Cuenta Propia)	—	—	€600	—	5 years	Work: Self-employed/autonomo activity Study: Study permitted Residency after 5 years Family: Family reunification with income proof
Sweden Sweden Residence Permit for Self-Employed Persons	SEK 2,000	450 days	—	—	4 years	Work: Self-employment in the approved business only. Study: May study alongside running the business. Residency after 4 years Family: Spouse/partner and children under 18 may join; family fund supplements apply.
Switzerland Switzerland Self-Employment / Company Founder Permit (Third-Country)	CHF 88	—	—	—	10 years	Work: Self-employed/entrepreneurial activity in the approved business. Study: Study possible at cantonal discretion. Residency after 10 years Family: Reunification subject to sufficient means and housing (Art. 44 FNIA).
Tunisia Tunisia Self-Employment / Independent Activity Residence	—	90 days	—	—	5 years	Work: Authorises the registered independent activity; not salaried employment for a third party. Residency after 5 years

Sort by any column. Fees are shown in each program's own currency and are government fees only. Blank cells (—) mean we haven't verified that fact — never that it is zero. “PR in” is a statutory minimum and may vary.