high-tech and high-growth start-ups. An increasingly popular way to do this is through start-up and entrepreneur visas. In contrast to the policy efforts mentioned in box 2.1a, which are designed to facilitate refugee and migrant entrepreneurship regardless of skill level or education, start-up and entrepreneur visas are typically used as a measure for attracting highly skilled migrants operating in a narrow range of business areas. These visas are therefore limited in scope and tend only to facilitate the entrepreneurship of very small numbers of migrants. Box 2.1b highlights the potential role of such visas in attracting highly skilled migrants.
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Participants of the Livelihoods IMECE Programme in Turkey (See case studies in the Annex).
2.1a. Initiatives to optimize the process for migrants and refugees to start a business
Burkina Faso: The enabling national policy environment is supporting the development of refugee entrepreneurship.
As a member of the Economic Community of West African States, Burkina Faso grants refugees the same right to work that all Community citizens enjoy. Because refugees in Burkina Faso do not need a work permit, participants in the Design for Peace programme are able to earn an income from their craft as self-employed entrepreneurs.
Costa Rica: Refugee entrepreneurs are benefiting from an enabling national policy environment. Costa Rica allows refugees two asylum appeals and grants them the right to work and attend schools while their petitions are processed.
The General Law on Migration and Foreigners in 2009 and the National Integral Policy on Migration (2013–2023) were first steps towards creating a comprehensive policy framework on immigration. The law and policy are noteworthy for their definition of integration which included immigrants, returnees and the diaspora.
Liberia: The Business Start-up Centre (BSC) in Monrovia works to alleviate poverty by encouraging entrepreneurship among the youth population (both Liberian citizens and migrants). In addition to helping their beneficiary members navigate relevant regulatory requirements, BSC was also part of the committee that helped to write Liberia’s first SME regulation, called the “Small Business Empowerment Act”. BSC faces challenges in terms of the difficulties of doing business in Liberia (relating to regulations, taxation and infrastructures) but their work is made easier by the fact that BSC’s non-Liberian members have access to work permits in Liberia, and also because the BSC has good relationships with relevant government offices, so that they are able to resolve problems (e.g. relating to work permits and business licences) more quickly.
Rwanda: Refugee entrepreneurship programmes are benefiting from a simplified regulatory environment whereby Burundian and Congolese refugees who have UNHCR documents have the right to conduct business on the same basis as Rwandan nationals and are not required to apply for a work permit.
Turkey: IOM’s Livelihood programme provides Syrian refugees with job placement support and in-kind grants for self-employment. In partnership with Innomate, IOM delivers an accelerator-style entrepreneurship training and grants project for young migrant, refugee and Turkish entrepreneurs. The Livelihood programme benefits from government regulation passed in 2016 that grants Syrian refugees temporary protection status and allows those who are registered with the Directorate General for Migration Management to access the formal labour market and to start businesses.
This regulatory shift was very important for developing an enabling environment in which IOM can work to develop the resilience and economic self-reliance of Syrians under temporary protection in Turkey. Furthermore, because IOM has a good working relationship with relevant government institutions, they are able to help programme participants navigate the process of obtaining the required permits.
Uganda: Refugee entrepreneurship is being facilitated by the country’s progressive refugee protection policies:
refugees have freedom of movement, the right to work and establish businesses, access to social services and allocation of land for agricultural production.
= See case studies in the Annex
Start-up or entrepreneur visas have been introduced by many countries that want to make it easier for highly skilled, potential job creators to migrate for self-employment. It must be noted, however, that these measures may discriminate against those entrepreneurs who do not manage to get easy access to funding.
Australia: A visa specifically for entrepreneurs dates back to the 1970s. Several categories exist for business owners.
Recently a new category called a Business Innovation and Investment Visa was added that targets and is attractive to innovative start-ups.
Canada: Entrepreneurs and start-up founders have the option of a start-up visa. The rules and funding requirements vary according to the source of funding the business owner has obtained to finance the business. The programme aims to recruit innovative entrepreneurs by linking them with Canadian angel investor groups, venture capital funds or business incubators to facilitate the establishment of their start-up businesses.
Chile: Entrepreneurs and start-ups founders can apply to Start-up Chile, an accelerator programme that supports entrepreneurs and innovative businesses. Acceptance to the programme grants applicants a visa to stay for a year.
Denmark: Non-EU/EEA founders seeking to start and grow their businesses in Denmark can get a two-year work and residence permit. The focus is on high-growth and globally minded entrepreneurs. Permits are given to as many as two founders for two years and are renewable for another three years thereafter.
Ireland: Entrepreneurs and start-up founders can apply for a start-up visa targeted at innovative companies.
Italy: In 2014 a new start-up visa was introduced that is reserved for innovative business ideas (a standard self-employed visa is also available). It offers a simplified visa procedure for entrepreneurs by cutting red tape and providing a range of tax and labour regulation benefits. To qualify, the entrepreneur applicant must prove the innovative character of the business idea and show that he or she has access to €50,000 in investment capital for the business.
Lithuania: In 2017 the government launched a start-up visa programme that made it easier for innovative entrepreneurs from outside the EU to set up operations in the country. It is a talent attraction scheme that provides a streamlined process for entry into the Lithuanian start-up ecosystem.
Netherlands: Start-up founders who meet certain criteria are offered a start-up visa and a one-year residence permit. At the end of the year, they may be granted an extended residence permit, as long as they satisfy the standard requirements for the government’s self-employment scheme.
New Zealand: Since 2014 entrepreneurs and start-ups founders have had the option of the Entrepreneur Work visa. It has two stages: During the first year it supports settlement in the country and the launch of the business. After the first year, the entrepreneur needs to develop the business to be able to stay in the country on the visa.
Singapore: Entrepreneurs and start-up founders are offered the option to settle using the Entrepass as long as they show that they bring innovation, investment and revenues. The length of stay depends on the cash flow generated by the business and its innovative nature.
Spain: Entrepreneurs are offered a fast-tracked resident permit, requiring them to have a government-vetted business plan, health insurance and enough money to support themselves. Visa decisions are promised within 10 working days and residence permit decisions within 20 days.
United Kingdom: Entrepreneurs and start-ups founders are offered three visa options depending on their situation and the length of their stay: the Entrepreneur Visa, the Graduate Entrepreneur Visa and the Prospective Entrepreneur Visa.
Source: Migration Policy Institute, Visas for entrepreneurs: How countries are seeking out immigrant job creators, 2012.