Startup visa

What should be the policy?

[vik_c]

Canada is planning to introduce a start-up visa later this year which will help entrepreneurs immigrate to Canada and help local VCs invest in startups although it is unclear now whether startups which don't want venture capital will be let in. UK has a similar program that lets you in if you invest GBP 200,000 or get a VC to invest GBP 50,000 (or higher of course). The US is already working on one but there have been reservations about the rigid requirement of U.S. 'STEM' graduate degrees. Chile has a startup visa. So does Ireland.

What should be the eligibility criteria in terms of investment and job creation?

What sort of infrastructure do you expect? What are the benefits and incentives you think these countries should provide to startups?

Which are the countries and cities that you would be excited about moving to for your startup?

Is there anything specific that you would look for in a startup visa to motivate you to move to a different country?

[matrix_jan]

Is there anything specific that you would look for in a startup visa to motivate you to move to a different country?

Yes, the climate, and I'm not talking about the weather.

Which are the countries and cities that you would be excited about moving to for your startup?

Think Silicon Valley / San Francisco area

[vivalasvegas]

I wish I had the option to move to any country based solely on my web based self employment (without having to actually hire anyone else). I would be able to sustain myself and pay taxes without taking any jobs away from locals. After paying taxes for 2-3 years my immigrant status would be upgraded to a more permanent one. This is the option I'd like to have, especially in English speaking countries.

[vik_c]

I wish I had the option to move to any country based solely on my web based self employment (without having to actually hire anyone else)

Very true. There should be a special category for webmasters and information technology professionals who can show that they have been foreign exchange earners. This is more significant than creating a job or two. A lot of business immigration programs seem to be structured more for conventional businesses.

[matrix_jan]

The thing is that there are no guarantees. After getting accepted and receiving legal status (residence/citizenship), you may say your business crushed and you need to get some help from the government. They don't want more weight on their shoulders.

[LifeinAsia]

I wish I had the option to move to any country based solely on my web based self employment (without having to actually hire anyone else). I would be able to sustain myself and pay taxes without taking any jobs away from locals.

The problem is that many would then probably argue, "Oh no, that money was made in Cyberspace, not in your country. I don't need to pay taxes on that money!" and end up paying little to no taxes. Or they would just have most of the revenue go to a different company and escape the tax radar of their "adopted" country.

True, the webmasters would still spend some money locally (housing, food, beer, etc...). But realistically, the government is going to get a much better ROI if they require immigrant entrepreneurs to hire workers and/or invest money locally.

[vivalasvegas]

vik_c

ReReading this old thread [webmasterworld.com ] I guess you've been contemplating immigration for quite some time. The question is: are you motivated enough to take this step? Each individual is different, but from experience I can tell you that, with age you'll find it increasingly difficult to just pack your bags and move to another country if your current life is confortable enough.

One of the advantages of being a self employed web professional is obviously the possibility to live anywhere you want. However, for most people living HOME is the ideal situation. Don't get me wrong, I admire those who have the mindset required to just move to another country, but I suspect that most people don't unless there's a financial motivation involved.

[vik_c]

The problem is that many would then probably argue, "Oh no, that money was made in Cyberspace, not in your country. I don't need to pay taxes on that money!"

A lot of people are escapist when it comes to tax. You'll be surprised at the outrageous tax shelters they use but eventually no one can wish away death and taxes :)

..contemplating immigration for quite some time..

vivalasvegas, there are thousands of webmasters in my country, India who find it very time consuming to cope with the red tape, corruption and poor governance here. With the startup visas being introduced by various countries you can expect many promising entrepreneurs to migrate from India over the next decade.

[vivalasvegas]

the red tape, corruption and poor governance

I know what you mean as I live in a country that has these problems too (although it is a EU state). All I am saying is that, for many people 'there's no place like home'.