Latin America is becoming one of the most attractive regions for startup founders looking to build globally without the high costs and immigration hurdles common in places like the United States or parts of Europe. Across the region, countries are introducing investor-friendly visa programs, startup accelerators, tax incentives, and residency pathways designed to attract entrepreneurs, remote founders, and foreign investors.
According to StartupBlink’s latest startup ecosystem report, cities like São Paulo, Mexico City, Bogotá, Santiago, and Buenos Aires are continuing to emerge as some of the region’s strongest startup hubs, driven by growing investment activity, expanding tech ecosystems, and increasing founder participation across fintech, e-commerce, AI, and digital services.
At the same time, lower operating costs, growing tech talent, and expanding digital markets are making the region increasingly appealing for early-stage startups looking for both scale and long-term growth opportunities.
Here are some of the best Latin American countries for startup founders, including their visa options, investment requirements, startup ecosystem size, and pathways to permanent residency or citizenship.
/1. Brazil
Visa: Investor Visa (VITEM IX)
Number of Startups: About 5,175 Startups
Minimum investment required: Now R$ 500.000,00 ($150,000); however, if the startup meets the conditions presented by the resolution, the minimum amount required to invest will revert back to R$ 150.000,00
Validity: Granted for up to 2 years.
Pathway to permanent residency or citizenship: Initially grants a temporary residence permit valid for 2 years, which can be upgraded to a permanent residence permit, provided your business plan is successfully executed and the investment remains active. Once you hold legal residency (temporary or permanent) for 4 continuous years, you become eligible to apply for Brazilian citizenship via naturalization.
/2. Colombia
Visa: Migrant (Type M) Business Owner/Shareholder Visa
Number of Startups: About 2,137 Startups
Minimum investment required: 100 SMLMV ($36,000)
Validity: Granted for up to 3 years
Pathway to permanent residency or citizenship: Allows you to accumulate time toward permanent residency, which can be applied for after 5 years. You become eligible to apply for Colombian citizenship after a total of 5 years of accumulated residency.
/3. Chile
Visa: Startup Visa is tied to the globally renowned Start-Up Chile program.
Number of Startups: About 874 Startups
Minimum investment required: Instead of investment from the migrant founder, the Start-Up Chile program grants up to $80,000 USD in equity-free seed funding and access to free coworking spaces in Santiago, aside from the startup visa.
Validity: Valid for 1 year.
Pathway to permanent residency or citizenship: After holding the temporary visa for 1 year, you are eligible to apply for permanent residency in Chile, and eligible after 5 years of combined temporary and permanent residency.
/4. Argentina
Visa: No specific "startup visa," but business owners can use the Investor Visa (Visa Inversionista)
Number of Startups: About 1,030 Startups
Minimum investment required: Minimum personal investment of 1.5 million ARS (approx. $1,100) in a productive, commercial, or service activity.
Validity: Initially valid for 1 year and can be renewed annually for up to a total of 3 years
Pathway to permanent residency or citizenship: You are eligible to apply for permanent residency status after 2 years of holding an Investor Visa, and citizenship after holding permanent residency for two years.
/5. Mexico
Visa: No specific "startup visa," but startup founders can use the Temporary Resident Visa for Investors
Number of Startups: About 1,431 Startups
Minimum investment required: At least MXN 1,400,000 ($75,000)
Validity: Initial single-entry visa is valid for 180 days, after which, upon arrival, you can exchange this visa for a Temporary Resident Card valid for 1 year.
Pathway to permanent residency or citizenship: After maintaining legal temporary residency for 4 years, applicants can apply for Permanent Residency, followed by Mexican citizenship after 5 years of total legal residency
/6. Peru
Visa: Investor Visa
Number of Startups: About 218 Startups
Minimum investment required: At least PEN 500,000 ($133,000).
Validity: Issued for 1 year
Pathway to permanent residency or citizenship: Leads to permanent residency after 3 years, and you can apply for citizenship after 2 years of residency.
/7. Costa Rica
Visa: No specific "startup visa," but business owners can use an Investor Visa (Inversionista).
Number of Startups: About 93 Startups
Minimum investment required: At least $200,000 in a Costa Rican business, which can be less depending on the business type.
Validity: Grants a 2-year renewable temporary residency.
Pathway to permanent residency or citizenship: After maintaining legal temporary residency for 3 years or more, applicants can apply for Permanent Residency, followed by citizenship after 7 years of residency.
/8. Panama
Visa: No specific "startup visa," but Entrepreneurs can use the Business Investor Visa.
Number of Startups: About 76 Startups
Minimum investment required: At least $160,000 in the capital stock of a Panamanian corporation.
Validity: Grants a 2-year renewable temporary residency.
Pathway to permanent residency or citizenship: After 2 years on this temporary visa, you can apply for permanent residency if you still meet all requirements. You can apply for citizenship after 5 years of permanent residency.
/9. Paraguay
Visa: SUACE (Unified System of Opening and Closing Companies) visa
Number of Startups: About 35 Startups
Minimum investment required: A minimum of $70,000 to be invested in a local business plan over a 10-year span.
Validity: Permanent residency is valid for 10 years and must be renewed upon expiration.
Pathway to citizenship: Offers a pathway to Citizenship after 3 years.
/10. Ecuador
Visa: Investor Visa (Visa de Inversionista)
Number of Startups: About 92 Startups
Minimum investment required: At least a minimum of $48,200.
Validity: Issued for two years.
Pathway to permanent residency or citizenship: After holding your temporary investor visa for at least 21 months, you can apply for a Permanent Residency Visa. Following three total years of residency, you become eligible to apply for Ecuadorian citizenship.
David Adubiina
