Compare jurisdictions, side by side.

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

Slovak residency routes:

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

Common Georgian residency routes:

• Work residence - employer-sponsored or via your own Georgian LLC
• Investment residence - real estate, capital, or business investment thresholds
• Study residence - enrolment at a Georgian institution
• Family reunification - spouse, children, dependant parents
• Permanent residence - typically after 6 years of continuous lawful stay

Many nationalities can stay visa-free for 365 days, which is often used to plan the right route without time pressure.

German residency routes:

• Blue Card - high-skilled employees
• Freiberufler / Selbständig - freelancer / self-employed
• Employer-sponsored work permits
• Entrepreneur visa
• Family reunification

Permanent residence typically after 5 years (faster on Blue Card).

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.

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

Standard Georgian entities and tax treatment:

• LLC (Shps) - the default structure; fast online formation
• Individual Entrepreneur (IE) - simple setup; Small Business Status offers 1% turnover tax up to ~500k GEL/year for qualifying activities
• Virtual Zone - 0% corporate income tax on qualifying IT-export profits (subject to substance and qualifying-activity tests)
• International Company Status - reduced 5% CIT for qualifying IT and maritime companies with real operations

Bordercase coordinates structure choice to match real activity and avoid substance traps.

GmbH and UG (haftungsbeschränkt) are common structures. Notary involvement is required for formation. Tax registration, trade registration (Gewerbeanmeldung), and German GAAP / tax accounting standards apply.

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.

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

Personal and corporate banking is broadly accessible to residents and non-residents through TBC, Bank of Georgia, and others - typically with USD, EUR, and GEL accounts. Compliance has tightened materially since 2023; clear source-of-funds, business narrative, and tax residency clarity matter. Bordercase coordinates introductions where useful.

Personal banking for residents is well established; certain non-resident structures take longer. SCHUFA history is relevant for residents. Bordercase coordinates introductions for cross-border cases.

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

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

Family reunification is supported across most residency routes. English-language international schools are available in Tbilisi and Batumi. Healthcare is a mix of public and private; expat-grade private cover is recommended.

Family reunification is well supported. Schools (public, private, bilingual, and international) are widely available; international schools are concentrated in major cities.

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

Risks Bordercase watches for in Slovakia:

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

Risks Bordercase watches for in Georgia:

• Tax residency triggers - 183 days makes you tax-resident even without a permit
• Virtual Zone / IE status misuse - real activity must match the qualifying category, audits do happen
• Banking compliance - certain nationalities, sectors, and source-of-funds patterns face additional scrutiny
• Russia/Ukraine-related restrictions - operational and reputational considerations for some cases
• Permit timing - applying from inside Georgia vs at a consulate has different rules and risks

Risks Bordercase watches for in Germany:

• Tax residency triggers (183 days + centre of interests)
• Late VAT registration on cross-border services
• Language and bureaucratic friction in some Länder
• Freiberufler vs Gewerbe classification disputes

Typical Hong Kong documents:

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

Typical Slovak residency documents:

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

Typical Georgian residency documents:

• Passport (6+ months valid)
• Proof of basis (employment, business, study, family)
• Proof of accommodation
• Health insurance valid in Georgia
• Bank statements / proof of income
• Criminal record certificate (apostilled, where required)
• Marriage / birth certificates for family routes

Apostille and certified translation into Georgian where required.

Typical German residency documents:

• Passport
• Recognised qualifications (where required)
• Contract or business plan
• Accommodation evidence (Anmeldung)
• Health insurance
• Family certificates

Apostilled and translated to German.