These are the best countries to start or join a business in 2024

The opportunities and difficulties faced by entrepreneurs and business owners are changing quickly along with the rest of the globe. Whether we want to launch a new firm or join an established one, there are a number of things to take into account, including the ease of doing business, the market potential, the tax structure, the innovation ecosystem, the talent pool, and the quality of life in various nations.
Based on the most recent statistics and trends from numerous sources, some of the finest nations to launch or join a business in 2024 are listed below. But a decision may also be influenced by a number of other elements, including one's own tastes, business objectives, target market, industrial sector, financial constraints, risk tolerance, and potential for growth. Therefore, it is advised to do extensive study and consult a specialist before making any decisions.

Dubai
Dubai is one of the seven emirates that comprise the United Arab Emirates (UAE), an affluent and modern Middle Eastern country. Dubai is well-known for its stunning skyline, opulent lifestyle, diverse culture, and dynamic economy. Dubai provides numerous advantages for business travellers and enterprises, particularly within its various Freezones. Dubai has about 40 Freezones that cater to many sectors and businesses, including ICT, media, finance, gold and jewellery, health care, AI, and others.

Some of the ways that can help start or join a business in the Dubai include:

• The Business Visitor Visa permits entry into Dubai for a short-term business trip, such as attending a meeting, conference, or trade fair, performing market research, or negotiating a contract.
• Investor Visa enables entry into Dubai for the purpose of investing in an existing or new business in Dubai if at least AED 10 million has been invested in one or more firms in Dubai, either directly or through an investment fund.
• The Entrepreneur Visa allows one to enter Dubai to start or run an innovative firm that has been approved by a government body.

Ireland
Ireland is an impoverished but small island country that is a member of the Eurozone and the European Union. It is known for being a centre for innovation, learning, and culture, as well as a warm and welcoming vacation spot for tourists and investors. Ireland has a number of free zones that provide tax breaks, customs exemptions, and simplified business processes. The two most significant ones are Dublin Airport Free Zone, a centre for the aviation and logistics industries, and Shannon Free Zone, the oldest and largest free zone in Ireland.

Some of the ways that can help start or join a business in the Ireland include:
For a brief business trip, such as attending a meeting, conference, or seminar, undertaking market research, or contract negotiations, a business visitor visa enables entry into Ireland.
To enter Ireland and work in a highly skilled profession that is in demand on the Irish labour market, anyone needs a Critical Skills Employment Permit.
Start-up Entrepreneur Programme permits entry into Ireland to launch or operate a cutting-edge firm with significant growth and job-creation potential.

United Kingdom
Another well-liked location for entrepreneurs and business owners is the United Kingdom, particularly in fields like fintech, e-commerce, biotech, gaming, and the creative industries. The UK has a sizable and sophisticated market, a thriving ecosystem for innovation, a favourable tax structure, and a robust judicial system. After leaving the European Union, the UK has stated that it will establish up to 10 freeports in England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland.

Some of the ways that can help start or join a business in the United kingdom include:

• A short-term business travel to the UK, such as attending a meeting, conference, training session, or contract negotiations, is permitted with a standard visitor visa.
• An innovator visa enables entry into the UK to launch or run an innovative enterprise that has received approval from a recognized body.
• In order to work in one of the qualifying fields of science, engineering, humanities, medical, digital technology, arts and culture, or research and innovation, one must get a Global Talent Visa.

• A short-term business trip to the US is permitted with the Business Visitor Visa (B-1). Examples of such trips include attending conferences, meeting with clients, or performing market research.
• It is possible to enter the US with an E-1/E-2 Treaty Trader/Investor Visa to carry out trade or investment activities that are supported by a treaty between the US and the applicant's home country.
• Working for a branch, subsidiary, or affiliate of an employer in one's home country is permitted in the US with an L-1 intracompany transferee visa.

Australia
Australia is yet another desirable location for entrepreneurs and business owners, particularly in industries like education technology, health technology, clean technology, and tourism. Australia offers a secure and thriving economy, a welcoming and adaptable regulatory environment, a wealth and diverse base of natural resources, and a top-notch and widely accessible educational system. There are two special economic zones (SEZs) in Australia that offer tax breaks and other advantages to enterprises. They are the Christmas Island Special Economic Zone and the Northern Territory Special Economic Zone, which encompasses the entire territory and seeks to entice investment in the tourism, agricultural, mining, and energy industries.

Some of the ways that can help start or join a business in Australia include:

• In order to enter Australia for a brief business trip, such as attending a meeting, conference, or seminar, undertaking market research, or contract negotiations, one must have a Short Term Visit Pass.
• To enter Australia for a longer-term business trip, such as to look into company prospects, make investments, or engage in professional development activities, one needs a business visitor visa (subclass 600).
• As long as the demonstrated viable business idea has access to at least A$200,000 in investment funds and receives at least 65 points on the Business Innovation and Investment Visa points test, the Business Innovation and Investment Visa (Subclass 188) permits entry into Australia to start or run an innovative business that has been approved by an authorised organisation.

Canada
Canada is a vast and diversified nation with a robust economy, a well-established political system, a high standard of living, and a hospitable culture. There are 12 foreign trade zones (FTZs) in Canada that provide businesses with expedited customs processes, tax exemptions, and tariff relief. FTZs are managed by the Canada Border Services Agency and are situated close to important ports, airports, or border crossings. FTZs aid in Canada's economic growth, innovation, and trade diversification.

Some of the ways that can help start or join a business in the Canada include:

• Having a business visitor visa permits to go to Canada for up to six months on business.
• Having a Start-up visa permits to enter Canada to launch or run an innovative firm that has received support from an authorised organisation, but one must be able to establish that the business idea is viable and creative, and have access to at least C$200,000 in investment capital. 
• Given that the employer must have worked for the same company for at least one year in the previous three years, an Internal Transfer permit enables entry into Canada to work for a branch, subsidiary, or affiliate of the employer's home country.

New Zealand
New Zealand is a small but prosperous island nation that has a reputation for being a leader in environmental sustainability, social welfare, and cultural diversity. New Zealand ranked first out of 190 economies in terms of ease of doing business, according to the World Bank’s Doing Business 2020 report.

Some of the ways that can help start or join a business in the New Zealand include:

• If no funds can be received from a New Zealand source, a business visitor visa that allows entry into New Zealand for a brief business trip is valid for three months.
• Entering New Zealand on an Entrepreneur Work Visa enables to launch or manage a high-growth, innovative firm that has received approval from a recognized body. The business plan must have access to at least NZ$100,000 in investment money.
• One can enter New Zealand with a Global Impact Work Visa to work in a social company that has received support from the Edmund Hillary Fellowship.