Business Immigration Options in Canada, Portugal and the United States

• Canada offers some of the world’s most accessible founder pathways, including the Startup Visa with a direct route to permanent residence and provincial entrepreneur programs that support business owners and innovators across the country.
• The United States provides high-value but complex options, such as the E-2 investor visa for treaty-country founders, the L-1 for multinational expansions and the EB-5 program for investors seeking a green card through job-creating investments.
• Portugal combines flexible entrepreneurship and investment routes, including the D2 visa for small business owners and freelancers, the Golden Visa for qualifying investments and growing startup incentives for founders wanting EU market access.

Business Immigration Options in Canada

Canada continues to be one of the most appealing destinations for global entrepreneurs, founders and business buyers. With predictable immigration pathways, strong talent and a stable business climate, Canada offers several routes that support new ventures and established companies looking to expand.

Here are some of the primary pathways you can explore when considering Canada for business immigration:

Canada Startup Visa Program

The Startup Visa is designed for innovative, scalable businesses backed by support from a designated Canadian venture capital fund, angel group or business incubator.

It is one of the most direct pathways to permanent residence for founders and their families, allowing entrepreneurs to build and grow their company in Canada while securing long-term stability. The program favours creativity, global problem solving and strong leadership teams ready to scale.

Entrepreneur and Owner Operator Pathways

For business owners who want to buy or build a company in Canada, several work pathways allow entrepreneurs to step into active management.

These routes support founders who want to:

• Purchase an existing Canadian business
• Launch a new venture
• Transfer an existing foreign business into the Canadian market

They offer the flexibility to get established, operate the business day to day and eventually transition toward permanent residence through economic streams.

Provincial Entrepreneur Programs

Many provinces have created their own entrepreneur pathways that focus on regional growth and local economic needs.

Across British Columbia, Ontario, Alberta and Atlantic Canada, provincial programs typically require:

• A business plan aligned with provincial priorities
• Minimum investment and ownership percentages
• Active management in the province
• Job creation for Canadians

These programs are ideal for founders who have a clear business plan and want to build roots in a specific region of Canada, especially in provinces eager to attract new entrepreneurs.

Business Immigration Options in the United States

The United States offers access to capital, customers and world-leading innovation hubs. At the same time, its immigration system is more complex and less predictable than Canada’s, which is why choosing the right business pathway is essential for founders planning an American expansion.

Here are the primary options you can explore when considering the U.S. for business immigration:

E-2 Investor Visa

The E-2 visa is a popular choice for entrepreneurs from countries that have a qualifying treaty with the United States. It allows applicants to invest in a new or existing business and actively manage its operations.

Founders often choose the E-2 because:

• It has no fixed minimum investment, though it must be substantial
• It allows the entrepreneur to work in the business directly
• It can be renewed indefinitely as long as the business remains active

While the E-2 does not offer a direct path to a green card, it provides a flexible way to live and work in the U.S. while growing a company.

L-1 Intracompany Transfer

The L-1 visa is designed for executives, managers and specialized knowledge employees who want to transfer from an existing foreign company to a new or existing U.S. branch.

It is ideal for founders who already operate a business abroad and want to:

• Open a new office in the United States
• Transfer themselves or key staff to launch operations
• Build a bridge between their home country headquarters and their U.S. presence

EB-5 Investor Program

The EB-5 program offers a pathway to permanent residence through investment. It requires a significant capital commitment either into a government-designated regional centre project or directly into a business that creates at least ten full-time jobs.

Entrepreneurs choose the EB-5 route when:

• They want a direct path to a green card
• They have the capital to invest at the required threshold
• Their priority is long-term residency for themselves and their families

Business Immigration Options in Portugal

With flexible residency pathways, access to the European Union and a high quality of life, Portugal offers several routes that support both traditional businesses and modern, mobile ventures.

Here are the main pathways for business immigration to Portugal:

Portugal D2 Entrepreneur Visa

The D2 Entrepreneur Visa is a great choice for freelancers, entrepreneurs, and small business owners who want to expand or start their business in Portugal. It is one of the most accessible EU pathways for founders who want to build something meaningful without needing a large upfront investment.

Applicants typically choose the D2 because it:

• Welcomes a wide range of business types, from tech startups to service-based businesses
• Offers residency for the whole family
• Provides access to the EU market
• Leads to permanent residence and eventual citizenship

Portugal Golden Visa

The Portugal Golden Visa is the country’s most globally recognised immigration pathway. It allows individuals to obtain residency through qualifying investments in areas such as:

• Real estate
• Cultural or research initiatives
• Approved investment funds

Unlike many investor pathways, the Golden Visa requires minimal physical presence in the country and allows families to live, work or study in Portugal while maintaining global mobility.

Entrepreneurs choose this route when they want the benefits of EU residency without needing to actively manage a business day to day.

Portugal Startup Incentives

Portugal has made a deliberate push to become a European tech hub, offering incentives that attract innovative founders. These include:

• Access to startup incubators and accelerators
• Competitive corporate tax policies
• Supportive programs for digital nomads and tech entrepreneurs
• Lower operational costs compared to other EU markets

With growing hubs in Lisbon, Porto and Braga, Portugal has become a destination where global founders can build lean, agile companies while enjoying a strong quality of life.

How to Decide Which Business Immigration Option Is Best

Choosing where to build or expand your business is a strategic choice that shapes your market access, lifestyle, funding opportunities and long-term residency options. Each country offers something different, so the best pathway depends on what matters most to you and your business.

Here are the key factors to consider when deciding which option truly fits your goals:

• Your business model and growth strategy. Innovative, scalable ventures may find the most support in Canada. High-growth companies seeking major markets or investors may prefer the United States. Lean, remote-friendly businesses often thrive in Portugal’s flexible ecosystem.
• Your investment capacity and risk tolerance. If you want a low barrier entry, Canada’s work pathways or Portugal’s D2 visa may offer the right balance. Larger investors seeking a residency-by-investment route may lean toward the U.S. EB-5 or Portugal’s Golden Visa.
• Your timeline for residency and permanence. Canada and Portugal offer more predictable paths to permanent residence. The U.S. can provide significant opportunities, but often requires patience and additional planning for long-term status.
• Your lifestyle and family priorities. Schooling, healthcare, safety and quality of life vary across each destination. Canada and Portugal offer stable, family-friendly environments with accessible healthcare systems. The U.S. provides diversity and opportunity but can involve higher living and medical costs.
• Your global mobility goals. If European Union access is important, Portugal offers a powerful long-term advantage. If North American expansion is your focus, Canada or the U.S. may offer better alignment.
• Your comfort with regulatory complexity. The U.S. system is more rigid and unpredictable. Canada and Portugal offer more structured, transparent pathways for entrepreneurs.

Choose the Best Home for Your Business Growth

Canada, the United States and Portugal each offer something powerful, but the best choice depends on what matters most to you, whether that is innovation support, market scale, global mobility or a clear and predictable path to residency.

At Ackah Business Immigration Law, we help entrepreneurs compare their options, understand what each pathway truly requires and build a plan that aligns with their goals. Our role is to bring clarity, confidence and practical expertise to every step of your journey.

Book a call with one of our client engagement coordinators to explore the best immigration pathway for your business and begin planning your next chapter with confidence.