Compare jurisdictions, side by side.

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.

Chilean residency routes:

• Temporary residence - employment, retirement, or qualifying activity
• Investor / entrepreneur routes
• Family reunification
• Permanent residence typically after a qualifying temporary period

Bahamian residency routes:

• Economic Permanent Residence - qualifying property investment
• Annual residence permits for HNW
• Work permits - employer-sponsored
• Family routes

Hong Kong residency routes:

• General Employment Policy (GEP)
• Quality Migrant Admission Scheme (QMAS)
• Top Talent Pass Scheme (TTPS)
• Capital Investment Entrant Scheme (CIES) - recently revived
• Dependant routes

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.

SpA (Sociedad por Acciones), Ltda, and SA are standard structures. SII tax registration, RUT, and patent municipal registration follow.

IBCs (International Business Companies) are widely used; substance and reporting are now real. Funds and family-office structures are common.

Hong Kong Limited companies are widely used for trading and holding structures. Annual filings, audited accounts, and a company secretary are required. Substance expectations and BEPS-driven changes affect ongoing planning.

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.

Residency unlocks personal banking. Corporate banking depends on activity. Bordercase coordinates introductions for cross-border cases.

Banking is selective and source-of-funds focused. Bordercase coordinates introductions through current partners.

Local banking has tightened materially; some non-resident structures face long onboarding or rejection. EMIs and Singapore / Dubai banking are common alternatives. Bordercase coordinates introductions through current partners.

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

Family reunification is supported. Schools (public, private, English, German, French) are concentrated in Santiago.

Family inclusion is supported on most routes. International schools are concentrated on New Providence.

Family relocation is supported on most residency routes. Schools (local, private, ESF, international) are competitive; international school waitlists are real.

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 Chile:

• Tax residency triggers and worldwide-income reporting
• Processing variations between regions
• RUT timing for non-residents

Risks Bordercase watches for in the Bahamas:

• Economic substance reporting
• Property due diligence
• Reputational handling around offshore structures

Risks Bordercase watches for in Hong Kong:

• Company-only setups without substance face banking and audit friction
• Banking has tightened materially
• Political / policy shifts must be factored into long-horizon planning
• Annual audit and filing discipline is real

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 Chilean documents:

• Passport
• Apostilled foreign documents (birth, marriage, criminal record)
• Proof of income or investment
• Health insurance
• Spanish translations where required

Typical Bahamian documents:

• Passport
• Source-of-funds evidence
• Health and police clearances
• Apostilled foreign documents

Typical Hong Kong documents:

• Passport
• CV
• Education certificates
• Employment history
• Company documents (where applicable)
• Family certificates with notarisation