Virtually every western country now has a Start-up visa program and about 60% of them are free.

As long as you can start a business that is meaningful and will generate at least 2-3 jobs for starters.

You have a nice idea or have already started

Have some money or have spent some money on your existing business and want to expand abroad

Sometimes you are required to show evidence that you've started and can sustain yourself when you travel and I believe that most Nigerians who pay millions of naira to agents can apply for this if you are well guided and intended.

Note that most startup visas also allow you to take your family with you and grant you temporary/permanent residence as opposed to just visa or student visas that require lots of money. Most also come with work permit to take on contracts, employments, etc... (depending on the country though).

In my view, it is better than student and other visa categories. Most of you who sell your cars and homes can also put your funds into proper use if you are to start a business abroad and get a qualifying permit to do so.

In 2020, people should consider this new direction and be wiser. I see no reason why most of you who already have nice jobs in Nigeria will sell your belongings and go abroad to start from the beginning, when you can go start something meaningful with your money.

For this type of visa though, you have to be genuine and committed, you will get it and make your travel more meaningful.

Google is your friend but I can be helpful if you need ideas and thinking as to what to do and places that are more reasonable to apply for a Startup visa.

Can please post further details as to how to get started. Thank you

It will be appreciated, if you can mention the places and how to go about it for us to know please

idid:
Virtually every western country now has a Start-up visa program and about 60% of them are free.

As long as you can start a business that is meaningful and will generate at least 2-3 jobs for starters.

You have a nice idea or have already started

Have some money or have spent some money on your existing business and want to expand abroad

Sometimes you are required to show evidence that you've started and can sustain yourself when you travel and I believe that most Nigerians who pay millions of naira to agents can apply for this if you are well guided and intended.

Note that most startup visas also allow you to take your family with you and grant you temporary/permanent residence as opposed to just visa. Most also come with work permit to take on contracts, employments, etc... (depending on the country though).

In my view, it is better than student and other visa categories. Most of you who sell your cars and homes can also put your funds into proper use if you are to start a business abroad and get a qualifying permit to do so.

In 2020, people should consider this new direction and be wiser. I see no reason why most of you who already have nice jobs in Nigeria will sell your belongings and go abroad to start from the beginning, when you can go start something meaningful with your money.

For this type of visa though, you have to be genuine and committed, you will get it and make your travel more meaningful.

Google is your friend but I can be helpful if you need ideas and thinking as to what to do and places that are more reasonable to apply for a Startup visa.

Nice point!
Problem is what innovative idea is viable and feasible in these countries?
Esp for people who never left the shores of nigeria. Can't think of any idea. I know several countries who give start up visa. That perfect business idea is missing

Okay I will provide some explanations below to the best of my ability and share some details of current Startup visas.

As I said earlier, Startup visa's are for genuine people who truly want to start a business abroad, which I think anyone can if they get their act together and find the right team member or get a good adviser on board.

Note that most Start-up visas will require you to find a business accelerator in your intended country (you will send your business plan to the accelerator for approval, you will have to back up your idea and if approved you will send the approval letter to a government department who will issue you a final approval which you will take to the embassy in Nigeria to procure your visa).

In some cases, you do not need an accelerator, you can just apply directly to a government department by sending your business plan, bank statements and so on. Once approved, you go to the embassy in Nigeria and apply for visa. In cases like this, you will have to show evidence in your bank statement that you have enough money.

In all cases, you will need a business plan and enough money in your account to show that you can start a business or that you want to expand your existing one if it falls into the expected category.

After looking at countries with Start-up visas in my next post, we will discuss some viable Startup ideas that I believe can quality for Startup visas.

Stay tuned!

Please note that I have copied some of points below online as I see no need to rewrite them, hence, the credit is not mine.


The United Kingdom

The UK remains a great destination for startups, with established startup networks across the islands, an efficient formation process and a low rate of corporation tax. Its startup and entrepreneur visas offer some more flexibility than others in terms of applications, but are also less flexible in terms of how long you can stay in the country, and the pathways to long-term residency. They are most accommodating to individuals who have studied in the country, or who have a significant amount of capital ready to invest.

The UK Startup Visa is the entry-level option for entrepreneurs who wish to set up a new business in the UK without a significant amount of initial capital investment. To qualify for this visa, you must be sponsored by either a UK higher education institution (e.g. a university) or a business organisation with a history of supporting UK entrepreneurs. This definition is relatively flexible, but could include UK-based incubators, accelerators or other sources of business funding or support.

Applications cost between £308 and £493 per person depending on where you’re coming from, and whether you’re changing from another visa to this one. Your business idea has to be assessed by an approved body, and you need to have had at least £945 in your bank account for the three months preceding your application. This is much lower than many other visas’ capital requirements, however, and you can also bring certain family members with you. The main limit on this visa is that you can only stay for two years with no opportunity to renew.

If you have more initial funding and intend to stay for longer, you can apply for the Innovator Visa. To receive this visa your business must be endorsed by an approved body, and must be a new and viable idea that has the potential for growth. If your business has not already been established through another visa, you must have a minimum of £50,000 in investment funds, and pay between £966 and £1277 in application fees, including additional payments for each co-dependent, as well as an additional healthcare surcharge.

Recipients of the Innovator Visa are eligible to stay for up to three years, and can extend this visa indefinitely for an additional period of three years. There is a simple pathway to settlement (otherwise known as ‘indefinite leave to remain’) once you have lived and worked in the country for five years, including your co-dependents (usually close family members). You can set up multiple businesses under this visa, but may not work for another business that is not your own, or receive any public funds such as low income or housing support.

FINLAND
The Finnish Startup Permit makes it possible for international growth entrepreneurs to build a startup company in Finland and to become part of Finland's vibrant startup ecosystem. The permit is meant for innovative startup founders coming from countries outside the European Union.

Before sending your Startup Permit application to the Finnish Immigration Service, you must get a favorable assessment from Business Finland. Business Finland evaluates whether your business model, team and resources show potential for rapid international growth. After the assessment you will receive an Eligibility Statement to be attached to the Startup Permit application.

The permit can initially be issued for max. two years, after which it can be renewed. The permit does not involve investments or financial support.

TO BE ELIGIBLE TO APPLY FOR THE FINNISH STARTUP PERMIT, YOU SHOULD HAVE

a startup team of not less than 2 founders with versatile expertise
an intention of founding a fast growth company in Finland
an innovative business plan
commitment to the business idea and eventually building the company
significant holding in the company (For example the team applying for the permit, has a holding of not less than 60% of the company.)
access to sufficient resources and funding for the company's early stage development
secure financial means for support

Canada


To qualify for the Start-up Visa Program, you must meet all 4 eligibility requirements, as well as the admissibility requirements to enter Canada.
Eligibility requirements for the Start-up Visa Program

You must:

have a qualifying business
have a letter of support from a designated organization
meet the language requirements, and
have enough money to settle and live in Canada before you make money from your business
Admissibility requirements to enter Canada
To be eligible to come to Canada, you must meet the admissibility requirements to enter Canada. These apply to all applicants, not just Start-up Visa Program applicants.

Have a qualifying business
A qualifying business means you created a business that meets the following conditions.

At the time you get a commitment from a designated organization:
each applicant holds 10% or more of the voting rights attached to all shares of the corporation outstanding at that time (up to 5 people can apply as owners)

AND

applicants and the designated organization jointly hold more than 50% of the total voting rights attached to all shares of the corporation outstanding at that time
At the time you receive your permanent residence:
you provide active and ongoing management of this business from within Canada
an essential part of the operations of the business happens in Canada
this business is incorporated in Canada
Get a letter of support from a designated organization
You must get a letter of support from a designated organization (a business group that has been approved to invest in or support possible start-ups).

You’ll need to:

contact the designated organization to find out how to get its support
convince the organization that you have a business idea that is worth supporting
get a letter of support from the designated organization
The process to pitch your idea is different for each organization. Each organization has its own requirements. For example, you may be asked to present your business concept in person or submit a detailed business plan.

If you reach an agreement with a designated organization, it will send you a letter of support. You need to include this letter when you submit your application to us. This is the proof you need to show that the venture capital fund, angel investor group, or business incubator is supporting your business idea.

The organization will also send a commitment certificate directly to us. We’ll use both your letter of support and the organization's commitment certificate to assess your application. Please note, we may ask you for more business information in order to take a final decision on your application.

If you don’t include the letter of support or meet any of the other requirements, we’ll refuse your application.


Bring enough money to settle
The Government of Canada does not give financial support to new start-up visa immigrants.

When you apply, you’ll need to give proof that you have the money to support yourself and your dependants after you arrive in Canada. You can’t borrow this money from another person.

The amount you need depends on the size of your family. We update these amounts every year.

Number of
family members Funds required
(in Canadian dollars)
1 $12,960
2 $16,135
3 $19,836
4 $24,083
5 $27,315
6 $30,806
7 $34,299
For each additional family member $3,492

To be cont'd

Entrepreneur visa: Spain

on-EU nationals who intend to develop an innovative business or entrepreneurial activity with special economic interest for Spain may apply for a visa or residence authorization for entrepreneurs.

Candidates who are abroad must apply for a one-year residence visa.

Candidates who are legally in Spain, i.e. who have a residence or stay permit or an entrepreneur visa, must apply for a two-year residence authorization.

After this time period, this authorization may be renewed for two-year periods, provided that they continue to meet the requirements that originated this right.




• A single authorization for living and working valid anywhere in Spain, including relatives if they meet the expected age labour regulations.

• Free movement within the Schengen member states.

• Streamlined processing: 10 days for visas and 20 days for residence authorizations, procedures can be arranged through a representative.

• Combined processing for family members.

• Residence permit procedures centralised at the Large Business and Strategic Sectors Unit.

• The application for a residence permit will extend the validity of the residence or stay in Spain of the permit holder until the end of the procedure.


Be over 18 years of age.

• Have no criminal record in Spain or in the countries where they have resided for the past five years, for offenses defined in the relevant Spanish legislation.

• Not be subject to an alert issued for the purposes of refusing entry in the territorial space of countries with which Spain has signed an agreement in this regard.

• Have a public or private health insurance policy with an insurance company authorised to operate in Spain.

• Have sufficient financial resources for themselves and their families during their residence in Spain.

• Have paid the visa or authorization processing fee.

The spouse or common-law partner and any children under 18 years of age or those of legal age who cannot provide by themselves and have not constituted their own family unit and parents who are dependant, who accompany or join the foreigner, may apply jointly and simultaneously or successively for their authorization and, where appropriate, their visa. In this case, evidence must be provided of being in compliance with the requirements listed in the preceding paragraph.

Specific requirements

The business or entrepreneurial activity must be deemed to be innovative with special economic interest for Spain by a report issued by the relevant Spanish Economic and Commercial Office abroad or by the Directorate General for International Trade and Investments in Spain.

The assessment will give special priority and consideration to the creation of jobs in Spain. The professional profile of the applicant, the business plan and the added value for the Spanish economy, innovation and investment opportunities will also be taken into account.

Non EU nationals wishing to reside in Spain and to set up or acquire a company there who do not qualify for the Entrepreneurs residence authorization, must apply for a temporary residence permit and a work permit as a self-employed worker. See information at: Residence for self-employed workers

Be older than 18 years.
No criminal record in Spain or countries lived in during the last 5 years for offenses stipulated under Spanish Law.
Not listed as objectionable in the territorial space of countries with which Spain has signed an agreement in this regard.
Have a public insurance or private health insurance with a Health Insurance Institution authorised to operate in Spain.
Have sufficient financial resources for yourself and for the members of your family during the period of residency in Spain (2.130€ monthly for yourself and 532€ for every family member that is in your care). x 12 = 25,000 euros. (Around 10 million naira).
Pay the fee for the processing of visa(s).

Italy

A company can participate in the Italian Startup Visa program directly or with the help of Italian startup accelerators. Entrepreneurs are granted a work visa for one year, which can then be extended for another two. The cost of a visa is €116.

An application with a description of your startup must be submitted to the Ministry of Economic Development of Italy. Entrepreneurs need to confirm the presence of at least €50,000 in the form of equity, venture capital, etc. The commission makes a decision a month later.

Italian law provides a lot of benefits for innovative startups. Financing, in the form of investments or loans, is also possible.

Italian business incubators can provide additional support for startups. They provide various assistance including training, solving administrative problems, and additional funding in exchange for a share in the project.

FRENCH TECH VISA
The French Tech Visa program is designed for founders of companies, investors, and those who want to join a startup as an employee.

As part of the program, technology incubators and accelerators select start-ups that interest them. After a startup is selected by one or more partners, the incubator sends an official document to the founders of the project, coordinated through the French public organization Direccte. Direccte confirms that the startup has an innovative idea and is valuable to the French economy. Candidates then apply for a long-term visa and residence permit.

The founder of the startup needs to confirm the availability of at least €17,981.60 (minimum annual salary) in capital.

Potential employees of the companies or participants of the program should send an application to one or more employers. If the company agrees to hire an employee, then it just needs to sign a contract and issue a long-term French visa.

Mandatory requirements for employees: they must have higher education (not lower than a master’s degree) and an agreement with a company that participates in the French Tech Visa program. Their annual salary must be at least €35,963.20.

To participate in the program you will have to pay at least €368 euros: €99 for the visa itself and €250 as a tax to the French Bureau of Immigration and Citizenship (OFII) and €19 for a stamp tax.

The program includes a simplified visa for immediate family members.

FRENCH TECH TICKET
The French Tech Ticket program provides a 12-month work visa, funding, and administrative support for entrepreneurs who decide to launch their startup in France.

In order to get into the first stage of selection, you just need to present an interesting technological idea.

A startup team must have two or three adult co-founders. Only one of them can have French citizenship. Entrepreneurs must be fluent in English and have no other job during the implementation of their project.

To implement the project, the team receives €45,000 in funding. One member of the team receives the money, who is called the project initiator. A total of €57,000 goes to their account: an additional €12,000 is needed to cover the costs of the incubator. A startup may spend up to €25,000 to pay for professional services, the remaining €20,000 is for personal expenses.

Participants can obtain a residence permit through an accelerated procedure.

Entrepreneurs can send an application to three of the 41 incubators, indicating their priority and then choose from the approved applications.

During the year, start-ups obtain receive help from business incubators to find investors, consultation with business experts, and other support. In particular, in dealing with administrative problems. Investors are presented the projects twice.

Latvia

Technically, it’s a temporary residence permit – which is much cooler than just a Schengen visa! For the sake of convenience, we call it “startup visa”.

Startup visa is offered to all non-EU startup founders who are willing to come and kick-off their startup ideas in Latvia, a proud member of EU since 2004. One startup can have up to 5 founders with a startup visa. The application process takes one month. The visa is given for the period of maximum 3 years and it is spouse and children-friendly.

The main criteria for getting the visa is a sound startup idea described in a free-form – save us some time and make it a 1-pager! No business plans or qualification interviews required!

Once your startup is registered and settled in, bring your team from abroad – there is a special type of visa (again – residence permit) reserved for them.

Here’s are the new requirements to qualify for the Latvian Startup Visa:

You are a founder
You have an idea (or multiple) for a scalable, innovative business
You can prove you have a financial buffer of €4,560 in your bank account
These are the conditions for keeping the visa longer than one year (it can be renewed for up to five years):

You establish a business entity in Latvia within three months of arriving in the country
After one year you can demonstrate that you have continued to work on, develop, and grow your startup, or have raised €30k in the first six months and another €30k within the first 18 months.

Portugal

Portugal’s New Startup Visa – No Capital Required, EU Grants Available

According to the program’s official website, you can apply for a startup visa if:

You are an entrepreneur who intends to develop your startup in Portugal, even though you might not have started your business yet;
You are an entrepreneur who has already launched a startup in your country but you want to set it up in Portugal;
You do not have residence in the Schengen area;
You have tax obligations fulfilled concerning tax administration and social security, when applicable;
You do not have criminal records;
You are not under 18 years old;
You have enough funds in your bank account in a total amount of 5146.08€ for 12 months (per person);
You’ll further need to demonstrate that:

Your project/startup is focused on tech;
Your startup shows potential to the creation of jobs, besides the entrepreneurs you include initially, along with yourself, in your application;
Your startup shows the potential to generate a turnover of 325,000€/ year and/or assets value over 325,000€/ year, within 5 years after the start of the contract with your chosen incubator;
You have the capacity to establish a company, when applicable, during the undergoing of the program;
You’ll also need a declaration of interest from a Portuguese incubator.

Entrepreneurs will have exactly the same rights as Portuguese citizens in terms of access to non-refundable EU grants and incentives, which constitutes a non-negligible advantage when compared to similar programmes in other countries.

The program’s chief advantages over conventional golden visas is the absence of a minimum capital requirement, coupled with the eligibility to apply for EU grants. In theory, an entrepreneur with a good enough idea and the faith of incubators that he/she will be able to turn a profit within three years, can get a visa and start a company with virtually no money down.

Denmark

Your business must contribute innovative ideas and potential for development to the Danish business community.

Your business idea must be approved by a panel of experts appointed by the Danish Business Authority.

You can only apply for a residence and work permit based on the Start-up Denmark scheme when your business idea has been approved.

There must be specific Danish business interests speaking in favour of the establishment of your business in Denmark. Normally, it is not possible to be granted a permit for businesses without an innovative potential, e.g. restaurants, retail stores, smaller trade, import and export businesses etc.

You can read more about the evaluation criteria for approval of your business idea and submit your business plan electronically on the webportal of the panel of experts.

Please note, that a maximum of 75 foreign nationals can be granted a permit based on the scheme per year, i.e. 1 January to 31 December.

You must be able to support yourself
You must provide documentation that you have sufficient funds to cover your first year in Denmark. If your family is accompanying you to Denmark, you must also provide documentation of your ability to support them.

You must provide documentation that you have (2019 level)

138.648 DKK if you are in Denmark without any family,
277.296 DKK if your spouse is accompanying you to Denmark,
322.908 DKK if your spouse and one or more children are accompanying you to Denmark,
184.260 DKK if one or more children, but not your spouse, are accompanying you to Denmark.

Documentation of your ability to support yourself and any accompanying family members could for instance be in the form of a bank statement.

I will check out and publish more countries when I have time but you can all see that some countries require no money at all. All they want to see is that you can support yourself if granted a Startup visa and this has to be shown via your bank statement.

The most important though is to have a sound and viable idea followed by a good business plan but bear in mind that it makes no sense to get a Startup visa and not pursue it when your travel so you must be genuine and ready to put in the work. In my subsequent thread I will share some startup business ideas....

I have attached a screenshot of the requirement for the USA.

Before moving to Nigeria I’ve always wondered why Nigerians don’t take advantage of this opportunity as I’ve never met one. Now that I live in Nigeria I have my answer.

$500,000 = N180,000,000
$1,000,000 = N360,000,000

Please get your facts right, business visa is different from Start-up visa.
The US does not have a Start-up visa but they do have a business visa which other countries do have too.
Some start-up visas does not require to pay a dime and most are new unlike business visas that has been in existence for ages.

EgunMogaji2:
I have attached a screenshot of the requirement for the USA.

Before moving to Nigeria I’ve always wondered why Nigerians don’t take advantage of this opportunity as I’ve never met one. Now that I live in Nigeria I have my answer.

$500,000 = N180,000,000
$1,000,000 = N360,000,000

idid:
Please get your facts right, business visa is different from Start-up visa.
The US does not have a Start-up visa but they do have a business visa which other countries do have too.
Some start-up visas does not require to pay a dime and most are new unlike business visas that has been in existence for ages.

The interesting thing is that you're probably thinking you've educated me on something new.

Sure, USA attempted to write a startup visa in to law via an amendment which did not come to fruition. What is stopping you from using a business visa to run a startup?

Well, I may have enlightened you sir but that's not a big deal, it could be my turn to learn from you next.

Business visas can be used to run start ups too but the limitations are too much. If you are a big boy with enough money, it should not be a problem at all.

Here are the pros and cons f or the average hustling joe:

1. Business visas are just visas, Start-up visas are usually temporary to permanent permits.. In many of European countries, Startup visas usually give pathway to permanent stay or naturalization.
2.. Business visas are for the applicant lone, Start-up visas usually allow you to take your family and employees along
3. Business visas are very expensive, Startup visas can be free sometimes
4. Business visas will usually not qualify you for any benefit, such as business grants, innovation/investment funds, accelerators, etc. whereas Start-up visas usually qualify you for that. In some countries, if you have a Startup visa and a viable business you can apply for VC and angel funding. Some folks I know got a seed funding of $500,000 the other day and they've barely operated for 6 months.

I can go on and on..

EgunMogaji2:


The interesting thing is that you're probably thinking you've educated me on something new.

Sure, USA attempted to write a startup visa in to law via an amendment which did not come to fruition. What is stopping you from using a business visa to run a startup?

idid:
Well, I may have enlightened you sir but that's not a big deal, it could be my turn to learn from you next.

Business visas can be used to run start ups too but the limitations are too much. If you are a big boy with enough money, it should not be a problem at all.

Here are the pros and cons f or the average hustling joe:

1. Business visas are just visas, Start-up visas are usually temporary to permanent permits.. In many of European countries, Startup visas usually give pathway to permanent stay or naturalization.
2.. Business visas are for the applicant lone, Start-up visas usually allow you to take your family and employees along
3. Business visas are very expensive, Startup visas can be free sometimes
4. Business visas will usually not qualify you for any benefit, such as business grants, innovation/investment funds, accelerators, etc. whereas Start-up visas usually qualify you for that. In some countries, if you have a Startup visa and a viable business you can apply for VC and angel funding. Some folks I know got a seed funding of $500,000 the other day and they've barely operated for 6 months.

I can go on and on..

I didn’t learn anything new, just though I’ll share what’s available in the USA as we don’t have startup visa specifically

I’ll bow out now.

Your thread.

Hope the US will join the Start-up visa gang at some point, current as the current business visa regime seem to be only for the top performing guys..

Thanks anyway

EgunMogaji2:


I didn’t learn anything new, just though I’ll share what’s available in the USA as we don’t have startup visa specifically

I’ll bow out now.

Your thread.

This is nice information. I will suggest that interested people of 3 can come together to put up a plan and follow it through. We can achieve a lot if we team together.

The Italy startup visa is looking interesting; below is an extract from the guidelines.

http://italiastartupvisa.mise.gov.it/media/documents/Guidelines%20ISV%20ENG%2020_03_2018%20def.pdf

Applications from entrepreneurial teams

The Italia Startup Visa programme also applies to multiple entrepreneurs who wish to set up, as a team, a single new innovative startup in Italy. To be eligible for ISV, an entrepreneurial team can include up to five non-EU citizens, of any nationality. In exceptional circumstances, the ISV Committee may agree to grant more Certificates of No Impediment, up to a maximum of 10 per project. All applicants must meet the conditions required for the issue of self-employment visas. This means that they cannot merely be employees: they must be co-founders of the new innovative startup, have a self-employment relationship with it, and own part of its capital shares. There is no statutory minimum limit for the percentage of the share capital held by each team member. The minimum financial availability required to be considered for assessment amounts to 50,000 euros for the entire team. (this is like 4m naira for a team of 5) However, as the assessment of these financial resources is closely related to that of the soundness of the business idea, for team application this threshold must be considered as purely indicative: the judgement on the adequacy of the financial resources is at the discretion of the Committee. Therefore, depending on the circumstances, the threshold considered adequate by the Committee may be even considerably above the statutory minimum.

Brilliant!

The Italian scheme is so interesting too (4 million naira) basically for a team of 5 and the good thing is that you are not giving the money away to any government or school, it's all yours to spend on your company and that is wonderful!

Although, some other ones in Europe within the schengen area have no capital requirements at all, but Italy is a good place to base and you can live anywhere you want in Europe if the same idea can be replicated elsewhere.

If there is a group of people who want to come together to start a company and pull resources together, the merrier it is.

I will try to post some startup ideas as I promised earlier..

Richystar4:
The Italy startup visa is looking interesting; below is an extract from the guidelines.

http://italiastartupvisa.mise.gov.it/media/documents/Guidelines%20ISV%20ENG%2020_03_2018%20def.pdf

Applications from entrepreneurial teams

The Italia Startup Visa programme also applies to multiple entrepreneurs who wish to set up, as a team, a single new innovative startup in Italy. To be eligible for ISV, an entrepreneurial team can include up to five non-EU citizens, of any nationality. In exceptional circumstances, the ISV Committee may agree to grant more Certificates of No Impediment, up to a maximum of 10 per project. All applicants must meet the conditions required for the issue of self-employment visas. This means that they cannot merely be employees: they must be co-founders of the new innovative startup, have a self-employment relationship with it, and own part of its capital shares. There is no statutory minimum limit for the percentage of the share capital held by each team member. The minimum financial availability required to be considered for assessment amounts to 50,000 euros for the entire team. (this is like 4m naira for a team of 5) However, as the assessment of these financial resources is closely related to that of the soundness of the business idea, for team application this threshold must be considered as purely indicative: the judgement on the adequacy of the financial resources is at the discretion of the Committee. Therefore, depending on the circumstances, the threshold considered adequate by the Committee may be even considerably above the statutory minimum.

[b]Start-up Ideas that you can build on

[/b]

Automobile

As you know, Nigeria produces Innoson cars and I believe that there will be more producers in a due cause. Ghana has a car production company too and South Africa has. The problem is that not even one Africa made car such as Innoson, Katanta, etc is sold anywhere outside Nigeria-Africa (Except some South African ones).

You can set up company in Europe that negotiates financing and hire purchase for buying Africa made cars such as Innoson - for Europeans, Canadians, etc. Unlike Nigeria, people in Europe and the West do not buy cars with full cash, they go to their bank or find a dealer who can offer them a deal such as hire purchase where they can pay monthly for 2-5 years when they get their salary.

You can pull this off by working with existing car dealers who have financing deals and structures already in place.

I recommend finding a business model where you don't need to buy or display these cars in the showroom, you can simply advertise all over the place and when someone buys, you ship directly from Nigeria. Guarantee that if you have a local advertising/marketing in Europe and anywhere in the World people will buy and you can make your profit per car. There is no end to this, I am only giving pointers.


Investment scheme for people in the Diaspora
[/b]You can set up a platform in Europe/Canada that shows viable public/private projects in Nigeria/Africa which people in the diasporas can invest in. Your platform can help them to process these investments transparently and ensure that they get their returns effectively. For example, when people from abroad want to build a home in Nigeria, they give their money to families who end up messing up. If you give such a person a platform where they can contribute little by little towards building or buying their home over a long time, they will be saved from families. So, imagine that in your platform I can see a list of all housing estates each unit in different states which I can buy or lease and I can directly set up a payment scheme and get all my documents where I am. Same can be applied to other investments such as treasury bill, etc. A platform as this can be in control of millions of dollars in a matter of years.

Investing
Your platform can pull high value projects in Europe/Canada, etc together to show high network value Nigerians and Africans and help them to invest easily. While I don't like this so much because it encourages capital flight from Nigeria, it would be highly considered in a Start-up visa scenario because it encourages inward investment for them.

Franchising
If someone from Nigeria/Africa wants to negotiate a franchise from Europe vice versa, e.g. I want to set up my own McDonalds, it is currently difficult and people get put off by the process. Your platform can be the one to help people set it up, negotiate and make it happen through a well defined process..

Construction

You can set up an UBER for renting construction equipment by bringing all companies and renters under your platform. This is also a huge opportunity in Nigeria. The process is Europe and elsewhere is currently fragmented.

Education

An online platform that lets people learn in their local languages, there are already companies called MOOCs (edx.org) etc,. Yours will manage a platform from anywhere around the World to learn in their mother tongue without knowing English.

Health
Platform for Europeans/Canadians etc to consult with certified traditional doctors/healers. Could be online....
This will specifically focus on people whose ailments cannot be treated in the natural way or would like alternative methods. This is a big area and people from China are capitalizing on it big time as there is a growing number of people in the Western World who want alternative sources of treatment, etc. Once, I met someone who cured my migraine by asking me to rob one of my toes, and afterwards asked me to go buy a leaf, put it in water and drink it. I did exactly same and my migraine never came back again. But I have used Paracetamol before several times without any end. Your platform can bring something like this to the mainstream...


Logistics

eCommerce shipping
A logistics company that help African eCommerce companies to ship their products directly to Europe or Worldwide cheaply and effectively. I know of nice few companies in Nigeria called Jand2gidi and so on, but many of them are not focused on eCommerce shipping for small online retailers, rather, they tie up with DHL and the likes which makes them costly, for example, for a seller of pure Shea butter in Nigeria because it's too expensive. You can tie up with airlines? negotiate a deal with NIPOST? etc. There are shipping companies you can align with. ePackets in China is already doing something similar, you can learn from them and build on it.

[b[Container sharing:[/b]
[/b][/b]I have seen hundreds of Nigerians/Ghanians ship products abroad using containers with lots of spaces left. How about an e-platform, app or whatever that links people who want to ship with people who have space left in their container. You can even build the platform for shippers who are already in the business of shipping and containerizing, these folks can then use your platform to help their clients to minimize the cost of shipping. Imagine if four people are sharing one container to ship different products to UK, we can share the cost instead of one person baring it all as it is currently. This will be an acceptable idea as a Startup because you can also say that you are replicating the idea in Europe.


Express Delivery Platform
[/b]You know Jumia right, the eCommerce company. Imagine if Jumia do not have to invest in all the okada riders and trucks because someone like you can put an agnostic logistics together to serve Jumia and others. You will be saving them lots and lots of money. So, the idea goes like this, you set up a platform that brings independent trucks, vans and bikes together, you contact eCommerce companies say (Jumia, Konga, etc) and offer them cheaper and faster delivery to their customers. This would fly because logistics is a big nightmare to them and they would rather outsource it to a third party that is efficient. In Europe, Canada and the rest, there are lots of eCommerce companies who are struggling for one reason. Customers want same/next day delivery of their items but most companies only offer basic second class (3-7 days) because they use public post and logistics companies that are not built for the same purpose. You can set up a delivery company without buying any van or truck, only create a platform for existing owners and allocate jobs to them. I know of Hermes and DPD in the UK but these companies use their own vehicles and have invested a lot. You don't have to and can create an alternative model.

Will stop here, happy to discuss more ideas later.

Like minds please let's deliberate on this!!!!

Latvia is another option with less financial implication

Latvia is probably the easiest right now.

The only thing is that one's temporary stay can be withdrawn in the case that you can't raise enough money quickly.

But highly recommended.

Richystar4:
Latvia is another option with less financial implication

Richystar4:
This is nice information. I will suggest that interested people of 3 can come together to put up a plan and follow it through. We can achieve a lot if we team together.

. I am really interested in this, hope it would pull through?

idid:
Well, I may have enlightened you sir but that's not a big deal, it could be my turn to learn from you next.

Business visas can be used to run start ups too but the limitations are too much. If you are a big boy with enough money, it should not be a problem at all.

Here are the pros and cons f or the average hustling joe:

1. Business visas are just visas, Start-up visas are usually temporary to permanent permits.. In many of European countries, Startup visas usually give pathway to permanent stay or naturalization.
2.. Business visas are for the applicant lone, Start-up visas usually allow you to take your family and employees along
3. Business visas are very expensive, Startup visas can be free sometimes
4. Business visas will usually not qualify you for any benefit, such as business grants, innovation/investment funds, accelerators, etc. whereas Start-up visas usually qualify you for that. In some countries, if you have a Startup visa and a viable business you can apply for VC and angel funding. Some folks I know got a seed funding of $500,000 the other day and they've barely operated for 6 months.

I can go on and on..

Your thread is so interesting and informative.

Some things to note:

If you have highly trusted friends, family member or someone who can start a business with you. The Start-up visa is even more ideal because they usually prefer if you are 2 or more founders. I recommend for 3-4 people to come together as it would even be easy to surmount the fee that some countries are asking for.

If your want ultimate aim is to travel to make money, the startup visa is for you, only that you have to earn in a legit/organised way.

The startup visa don't force you to spend money on attending any college or university by force, investing all your hard earned cash just so you can earn a degree that you may not end up using.

Most start up visas can be processed within 3 months, some within a month.

Start-up visas are the beginning of a new journey, they are not the end. They can actually open the door to a better future if you are committed to it. You can be in the front of Venture Capitalist and Angel investors in few months down the line and be talking hundreds of thousands and millions in dollars.

You have no limit and can use your initial visa as a gateway to a bigger future that you desire.

If we give it the attention it required, is very achievable.

nubiadoll:
. I am really interested in this, hope it would pull through?

[quote author=Richystar4 post=85864182]If we give it the attention it required, is very achievable.

So let begin. What country and business to venture in?

ok ooooo let me start parking i will go

[quote author=nubiadoll post=85866417][/quote] can we explore together?

@Idid
My team (2 co founders) has a business plan, pitch deck. It's an idea that is almost new to the market.

But my problem is we have built the business plan before I knew the whole start up visa thing. Therefore we didn't to operate in the UK just Nigeria. Can I use this kind of a plan that doesn't intend to penetrate the UK market? We intend to penetrate Nigeria market for now.
Or we should just do the whole research thing again and makes it penetrate the UK market.

Pls help and enlighten me thank you.