| Program Status |
⏸ Paused Jan 2026 [10] |
✅ 11 streams active [147] |
✅ Active |
✅ Active |
✅ Active |
✅ Active |
✅ Active |
✅ Active (150 cap) [123] |
| Initial Residency Type |
Direct PR application |
Work Permit → PR (2 stages) [149] |
Temp. Visa (3 yrs) |
Temp. Visa (2–5 yrs) |
Temp. Visa (2 yrs) |
Work Pass (1–2 yrs) |
Temp. Visa (2–3 yrs) |
Temp. Permit (3 yrs) |
| Min. Investment / Funds |
No fixed minimum (settlement funds proof required) [105] |
$100K–$500K CAD (varies by province) [147] |
~£50,000 (sometimes waived) |
None [133] |
€50K (solo founder) |
S$100K from accredited investors |
No fixed minimum |
€50K (solo) / €200K (team) |
| Min. Net Worth |
None |
$300K–$600K CAD [147] |
None |
None |
None |
None |
None (6-month runway evidence) |
None |
| Language Requirement |
CLB 5 (English or French) |
CLB 4–5 (varies by province) [147] |
CEFR B2 (English) |
None [133] |
None |
None |
None |
None (Greek needed for citizenship) |
| Endorsement / Approval Body |
Designated Org. (VC / angel / incubator) |
Provincial authority + BPA [149] |
Home Office-approved Endorsing Body |
Barclays Eagle Labs (Digital Tech) [136] |
Evaluation Committee (quarterly) |
MOM / Enterprise Singapore |
None (holistic by HKID) |
Deputy Ministry of R&I |
| Business Plan Required? |
Yes |
Yes — primary document [149] |
Yes (Innovation / Viability / Scalability) |
No — evidence portfolio instead [137] |
Yes (HPSU potential plan) |
Yes (10-page business plan) |
Yes (3-year plan + P&L) |
Yes (revenue <€1M) |
| Multiple Ventures Allowed? |
Yes (with designated org.) |
Yes — buy or start [150] |
No (1 endorsed concept) |
Yes [132] |
No (1 company) |
No (tied to 1 company) |
Yes |
No (1 company) |
| Corporate Tax Rate |
9–15% (federal) |
9–15% (federal) |
19–25% |
19–25% |
12.5% |
17% (~4.25% effective in startup years) |
8.25–16.5% |
15% |
| Capital Gains Tax |
Yes (inclusion rate) |
Yes |
Yes (CGT applies) |
Yes (CGT applies) |
Yes (33%) |
No |
No |
No (on securities) |
| Physical Presence Rule |
PR: 730 days / 5 yrs [105] |
Must actively manage business during performance period [149] |
Max 180 days absent/yr |
Max 180 days absent/yr [142] |
Full-time basis (principal activity in IE) |
Active business management expected |
Active mgmt.; <6 months abroad |
Active mgmt. expected |
| Mandatory Local Hiring |
Qualitative job creation expected |
1–2 full-time jobs (Canadians/PRs) [147] |
No (ILR milestone: 5 or 10 jobs) |
None |
10 jobs target within 3–4 years |
Yes — escalating milestones at each renewal [114] |
No (contextual) |
50% local staff; 3 jobs for 3-yr renewal [123] |
| Relocating Existing Startup? |
New Canadian entity required |
Yes — buy or start a business in province [150] |
New UK entity required (not trading before endorsement) |
Yes — any product-led tech venture [132] |
New Irish entity (<6 yrs old) |
ACRA co. incorporated <6 months |
Yes — new HK entity |
Yes — explicit government policy [123] |
| Path to PR / Settlement |
Immediate (SUV = direct PR) |
~2–3 years after performance period [149] |
3 years (ILR) |
3 years (Exceptional Talent/Promise) [135] |
5 years |
~2–4 years |
7 years |
5 years |
| Path to Citizenship |
3–5 years from landing |
3–5 years from landing |
~4–5 years total |
~4–5 years total [135] |
~9 years total |
~4–7 years |
7 years |
7 years (EU passport) [124] |
| EU Passport? |
No |
No |
No (post-Brexit) |
No (post-Brexit) |
✅ Yes |
No |
No |
✅ Yes |
| Spouse Work Rights |
Open Work Permit (any employer) [102] |
Open Work Permit [102] |
Yes (except sports) [108] |
Yes (except sports) [146] |
Full work rights (Stamp 1G) [112] |
Letter of Consent (LOC) [116] |
Yes — full work & study rights [119] |
Free labour market access [123] |
| Children Age Limit |
Under 22 (land as PRs) [104] |
Under 22 [104] |
Under 18 [106] |
Under 18 [145] |
Under 18 (or 23 if in education) [110] |
Under 21 (after business milestones) [114] |
Under 18 [118] |
Minor children (married 1+ yr) [122] |
| Waiting Period to Bring Family |
None — from start [102] |
None — work permit stage includes family [102] |
None — simultaneous [106] |
None — simultaneous [145] |
~12 months after principal arrives [113] |
≥12 months + S$100K + 2 local staff [114] |
None — simultaneous [117] |
Employed: immediate; Self-employed: 2 years [121] |