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My project

Freelancer & self-employed

Consultant, contractor, or solo entrepreneur — the complete guide to visas and permits for self-employment across 17 destinations, in Europe, North America, Asia-Pacific, and the Middle East, based on your nationality and destination.

FranceLuxembourgBelgiumGermanyUnited KingdomNetherlandsSwitzerlandSpainPortugalIrelandQuébecIndonesiaJapanNew ZealandSingaporeThailandUnited Arab Emirates
Results in 3 minutes
17
Countries covered
Business plan
The key document everywhere
4–16 wks
Average timeline
Process

How to proceed, step by step.

01

Structure your business

Auto-entrepreneur, SASU, BV, GmbH, Sàrl — your choice of structure determines your tax and social regime. Settle it with a local accountant before applying.

02

Build a solid business plan

Every destination requires a business plan demonstrating economic viability. Two- to three-year projections, identified clients, a targeted market.

The cornerstone of the application
03

Obtain the prior authorizations

Some countries require authorizations before the visa: business permit (MCM, Luxembourg), establishment authorization (Belgium). Plan ahead.

04

File the visa application

Once the business plan is solid and the authorizations obtained, file at the consulate. Our assessment generates the complete application for your situation.

Complete application available
Not sure where to start?
Our assessment analyzes your situation and identifies the right permit.
By destination

Available visas by country.

Click a country to see timelines, costs, and required documents.

FR
France
Passeport Talent (French Talent Passport) · VLS-TS Visiteur
Moderate
›
Timeline
4 to 8 wks
Cost
€99 + €50 OFII
Key documents
Business plan + funds + diplomas if applicable
Passeport Talent for master's-level profiles — 4 years from the start. The best option for qualified consultants.
LU
Luxembourg
Self-employment residence authorization + MCM
Moderate
›
Timeline
30 to 90 days
Cost
80€
Key documents
Passport + business plan + diplomas + MCM
The establishment authorization (MCM) is required before or alongside the residence application.
BE
Belgium
Professional card (self-employed)
Startup visa available
›
Timeline
4 to 12 wks
Cost
~€215
Key documents
Passport + business plan + proof of viability
A startup visa for innovative projects — 60 days. A freelancer-friendly ecosystem.
DE
Germany
Self-employment / freelance visa (§ 21) — Europe's benchmark
Best option
›
Timeline
4 to 10 wks
Cost
75€
Key documents
Portfolio + client contracts + funds
Ideal for liberal professions. No legal structure required — the simplest in Europe.
UK
United Kingdom
Innovator Founder — an endorsed innovative business
All nationalitiesEndorsement required
›
Timeline
Endorsement varies + visa ~3 wks
Cost
£1,357 + £1,000 endorsement + IHS
Minimum capital
None since 2023
Permanent residence
Possible from 3 years
No simple freelance visa in the United Kingdom: the project must be innovative, viable, and scalable, validated by an approved body.
NL
Netherlands
Self-employment visa (zelfstandige) · EU free movement
EU freeModerate for non-EU
›
Timeline
3 to 8 wks
Cost
~€1,446 (MVV + permit)
Key documents
Business plan + contracts + proof of economic interest
The activity must serve an essential interest of the Dutch economy.
CH
Switzerland
Self-employment / entrepreneur permit — selective for non-EU
Very selective
›
Timeline
8 to 16 wks
Cost
CHF 65–95 + D visa
Key documents
Business plan + Swiss client contracts + diplomas
Nearly impossible for non-EU nationals without a Swiss network. EU/EFTA: simplified procedure.
ES
Spain
International remote work or an entrepreneur visa
Non-EUDedicated route
›
Timeline
10 days (visa) · 20 business days (UGE-CE)
Cost
€90 (Paris consulate schedule)
Min. income
€34,188/yr — 200% of the 2026 SMI
Spanish clients
At most 20% of your income
PT
Portugal
D2 self-employment or D8 remote work
Non-EUProject required
›
Timeline
~60 days at the consulate · up to 90 days at AIMA
Cost
€110 (national visa)
D2 means
€920/month secured over 12 months (€11,040)
D8 threshold
€3,680/month if your clients are outside Portugal
IE
Ireland
STEP — innovative start-ups only
Non-EUProject evaluated
›
Funding
€50,000 minimum
Fees
€350 application + €300 IRP
Permission
Stamp 4 from the start
Timeline
Quarterly committee · 6 wks to 3 months
QC
Québec
Self-Employed Workers Program · all nationalities
All nationalitiesSelective
›
Timeline
Québec selection (CSQ) then federal PR
Fees
MIFI selection fees + federal fees
Net worth
CAD 100,000 minimum, of lawful origin
Experience
2 years of self-employment within the last 5
Canada's equivalent federal program has been suspended since late 2025: in Canada, the documented self-employment route goes through Québec.
Knowledge of French is required. Status obtained: permanent residence.
ID
Indonesia
E28A Investor KITAS · PT PMA · IDR 10 billion
IDR 10B in sharesDirector or Commissioner
›
Visa
E28A — Investor KITAS via a PT PMA (Indonesian company)
Capital
Personal shares ≥ IDR 10B (~EUR 570,000) recorded in the articles
Role
Director (operations) OR Commissioner (oversight) — mandatory
Advantage
Exempt from the DKPTKA levy (USD 100/month) vs the E23
Indonesia has no freelance visa. The E28A goes through a PT PMA with IDR 10 billion in real shares. The D12 visa (180 days/entry) lets you explore before committing.
JP
Japan
Business Manager · sharply tightened since October 2025
All nationalities¥30M capital
›
Timeline
CoE 2–4 months + visa 5–10 days
Fees
¥3,000 — required capital ¥30M (~€170,000)
Requirements
6 cumulative requirements: a local employee, N2 Japanese, an office, a certified plan
Alternative
Startup Visa (Tokyo, Osaka, Fukuoka): 6–12 months of runway
NZ
New Zealand
No freelance status — the employer route
No dedicated route
›
Freelancer visa
None
The real route
AEWV via an accredited employer
2025 opening
Remote work for foreign clients OK on a visitor visa
In the region
Thailand's DTV for a real independent status
Let's be honest: Ireland has no visa for freelancers or remote work. STEP is reserved for innovative start-ups targeting 10 jobs and €1M. If your business is independent consulting, no Irish route fits.
Let's be honest: New Zealand has no freelance visa. But since January 2025, remote work for foreign clients has been officially allowed on a simple visitor visa — a useful window to prospect on the ground before structuring through an accredited employer.
SG
Singapore
EntrePass or a self-sponsored EP
InnovationNo threshold
›
EntrePass
Recognized VC, IP, research, or an incubator
Company
ACRA < 6 mois, ou à créer après approbation
Alternative
An EP via your own company from SGD 5,600/month
Renewals
Spending and job-creation milestones
TH
Thailand
DTV — clients outside Thailand
Digital5 years
›
Funds
THB 500,000 across 3 months of statements
Stay
180 days per entry + 1 extension
Fees
10 000 THB
Limit
No Thai clients
AE
United Arab Emirates
Green Visa for freelancers or investors
No sponsor5 years
›
Green freelance
AED 360,000/yr over 2 years + a MoHRE permit
Green investor
An active commercial license
Remote Work
USD 3,500/month if your clients are outside the UAE
Retention
5 years (Green) · 1 year (Remote)

We present here the main residence permits we support, covering the vast majority of situations. This list is not exhaustive: other specific visas exist with each country's official authorities.

Ready to build your freelance application?
Forms explained step by step · Personalized checklist · Real-time tracking
Required documents

The documents common to every application.

The complete, personalized list is generated by our assessment.

Documents available for free
Valid passport
At least 6 months of validity beyond the planned stay
Business plan
Description of the business, target clients, financial projections over 2 to 3 years
Proof of clients or contracts
Letters of intent, signed contracts, or a track record of engagements
Proof of funds
3 months of bank statements — thresholds vary by destination country
Proof of housing
Lease or certificate in the destination country
Full documents and forms
Official forms
Explained field by field for your destination
Ordered checklist
Step by step with timelines and official contacts
Letter templates
Cover letter, translation, apostille
Application tracking
Personalized dashboard and alerts
Complete application
Unlock the complete list and the form-filling guidance with the full plan.
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Information verified in April 2026 · Sources: france-visas.gouv.fr · guichet.public.lu · ibz.be · auswaertiges-amt.de · ukvi.homeoffice.gov.uk · ind.nl · sem.admin.ch