Relocating abroad as a skilled worker is governed by several selection mechanisms and conditions. Additionally, countries have a limit to the number of skilled workers they can welcome in any given year. Aspirants who are willing and able to establish a new business overseas or invest in existing business abroad can explore business immigration options for Indians, in order to identify a more streamlined pathway to temporary or permanent residence, and citizenship, in the country of preference.

In 2017, 7,000 Indian HNIs migrated abroad – implying that India had the second-highest global outflow of High Net-worth Individuals (HNIs) to foreign countries. In India, 48% of total wealth is concentrated in the hands of HNIs, which indicates the country’s global mobility potential.

India is home to the third-largest number of billionaires – a number that is projected to triple over the next decade. As the sixth-wealthiest country in the world, India is expected to generate a 200% wealth growth between 2017 and 2027. These statistics have a long-term impact on the number of Indian citizens who migrate abroad through an investor or business visa programs. 

As earning capacity increases, more and more Indian entrepreneurs will direct financial resources towards diversifying their business operations in powerhouse economies across the world – and, in the process, gain temporary/permanent residence or citizenship. The developed economies of UK, USA, Australia, New Zealand, Germany, Canada, UAE and countries across Europe attract business investment from foreign nationals, who in turn are allowed to live and work in that country on a permanent or provisional basis. 

Following are some popular business immigration pathways that can be considered by Indians looking to emigrate through investment or entrepreneurship:

USA

• Employment Based Permanent Residency (EB-1) Visa
• Employment-Based Immigration: Second Preference (EB-2) Visa
• L-1 Intracompany Transfer Visa

Australia

• Business Innovation and Investment (Provisional) Visa (Subclass 188)
• Business Innovation and Investment (Permanent) Visa (Subclass 888)
• Business Talent (Permanent) Visa (Subclass 132)
• Business Owner Visa (Subclass 890)
• Investor Visa (Subclass 891)
• State or Territory Sponsored Business Owner Visa (Subclass 892)
• State or Territory Sponsored Investor Visa (Subclass 893)

Canada 

• Start-up Visa
• Self-Employed Persons Program
• Provincial Nominee Program – Business, Investor and Entrepreneur streams
• Quebec Immigrant Investor Program
• Quebec Entrepreneur Program

UK

• Tier 1 UK Innovator Visa
• UK Talent Program
• UK Sole Representative Visa

EUROPE

• Europe Business Visa
• Latvia Residence Permit
• Lithuania Residence Permit

There are a variety of business immigration options for Indians, each of which has a distinct set of eligibility requirements and application procedures. To identify the most ideal pathway for your profile, and receive support throughout the immigration process, it is advisable to seek the guidance of well-versed immigration consultants.