Compare jurisdictions, side by side.

BVI presence options:

• Work permits - employer-sponsored
• Residency for HNW under specific programmes
• Limited tourist / business visit arrangements

Estonian residency routes:

• Start-up visa - for founders of qualifying start-ups
• Digital nomad visa - for eligible remote workers
• Work permit - employer-sponsored
• Family routes - spouse / dependants

Note: e-Residency is NOT a residence permit - it is a digital identity for managing an Estonian company remotely.

Saint Lucia routes:

• Citizenship by Investment (CBI) via fund contribution or approved real-estate investment
• Standard work permits
• Family routes

Slovak residency routes:

• Employment-based residence
• Start-up visa - innovative businesses
• Business / self-employment
• Family reunification
• EU citizen-derivative routes

BVI Business Companies (BVI BC) are the standard structure. Economic substance applies to relevant activities; UBO reporting is mandatory.

OÜ (private limited) is the standard structure, formed online via e-Residency or in person. Reporting obligations are real but proportionate; accounting partners are widely available.

Domestic companies and IBCs are common in international structures.

S.R.O. (private limited) is the standard entity, with relatively low minimum capital and well-established formation processes. VAT registration depends on activity.

Banking access has tightened materially; EMIs are common supplements. Bordercase coordinates introductions for cross-border cases.

Estonian banks have tightened KYC for non-resident e-residents; many international founders rely on EMIs (Wise, Revolut Business, Payoneer, etc.) for day-to-day banking. Local bank accounts typically require strong substance evidence.

Banking is selective. Bordercase coordinates banking introductions through current partners.

Resident banking is straightforward; corporate banking varies by activity. Bordercase coordinates introductions for cross-border cases.

Family inclusion follows the main route. International schools are limited.

Family relocation is supported on the work and start-up visa routes; schooling and healthcare access follow the main applicant's residency.

CBI can include qualifying dependents.

Family reunification is supported. International schools are available in Bratislava.

Risks Bordercase watches for in the BVI:

• Economic substance reporting
• UBO disclosure and beneficial ownership reform
• Reputational handling around offshore structures

Common pitfalls Bordercase watches for:

• Confusing e-Residency with physical residency
• Banking-only setups without substance - likely flagged
• Crypto, gambling, and other regulated industries face additional friction
• Tax residence triggered by 183 days even without a residence permit

Risks Bordercase watches for in Saint Lucia:

• Programme parameters change
• Due diligence has tightened
• Reputational and revocation risks if information is misrepresented

Risks Bordercase watches for in Slovakia:

• Tax residency triggers
• VAT registration timing for cross-border services
• Processing variations between districts

Typical BVI documents:

• Passport
• Source-of-funds evidence
• KYC for all UBOs
• Apostilled foreign documents

For e-Residency:

• Passport
• Application form
• Biometric collection at the chosen Estonian embassy or pickup point

For physical residency:

• Passport
• Criminal record certificate
• Proof of income
• Accommodation evidence
• Health insurance
• Business plan (start-up visa)

Typical CBI documents:

• Passport
• Due diligence questionnaires
• Source-of-funds evidence (extensive)
• Family certificates with apostille and translation

Typical Slovak residency documents:

• Passport
• Criminal record certificate
• Proof of address
• Health insurance
• Employment or business documentation
• Family certificates with apostille and translation