Starting a company abroad: the first decisions
Make the handful of early decisions that shape a company abroad, in the right order, before any paperwork is filed.
Free — the whole course, with a certificate when you finish.
- Lessons
- 5 in 2 modules
- Total time
- About 53 min
- Level
- Beginner
- Taught by
- Kaitu consultants
Founding or moving a company to another country is often described as a registration exercise. In practice, the registration is the easy part. The decisions you make beforehand, about why, where, what and who, determine how smoothly the business runs for years afterwards.
This short course walks through those first decisions in the order they usually need to be made: the reason for the move and the choice of country, the kind of entity, the permission for founders and their families to live and work there, the banking and tax questions to take to professionals, and a realistic plan for your first ninety days.
A business abroad is really three projects at once: the company, the people and the permission. Most difficulties come from treating them as one, or doing them in the wrong order. Rules on company law, tax and immigration differ by country and change often. This course helps you ask better questions; it is not legal, tax or immigration advice, which must come from qualified professionals in the countries involved.
What you’ll be able to do
- Write down the main reason for the move and what must be true in two years for it to have been worthwhile.
- Compare two or three candidate countries using eight practical questions.
- Explain the general differences between a branch, a subsidiary and a new standalone company, and the questions to ask about each.
- Describe the common types of immigration route for founders, and why the company and the visa must be planned together.
- Prepare a list of banking and tax questions for your first meetings with local professionals.
- Draft a first-ninety-days plan with an owner for each workstream.
Syllabus
5 lessons · about 53 min · preview lessons are open to everyone
Module 1The first decisions
- Why and where Free preview11 min
- Branch, subsidiary or new company 10 min
- Residence and visas for founders 9 min
Module 2Getting ready
- Banking and tax: the questions to ask 11 min
- Your first 90 days 12 min
Who it’s for
- Founders considering a first company abroad, or a new venture in another country.
- Family-business owners expanding into a new market or following a major customer.
- Families relocating who want the business to move with them.
- Anyone about to meet lawyers or accountants abroad who wants to arrive prepared.
What’s included
- 1 short film
- 5 written lessons
- 3 printable worksheets
- 2 short quizzes
- Progress and notes saved as you go
- A certificate of completion to print
Your instructor
Kaitu consultantsWritten by the Kaitu team — the consultants who guide families through careers & business every day. Meet the team.Questions
In most countries, no, not by itself. Owning or registering a company and holding the right to live and work in a country are usually separate questions, with separate rules and applications. Lesson 3 explains the common types of route in outline.
There is no single best country; there is the best fit for your customers, your team and your family. Lesson 1 gives you eight questions to compare two or three options side by side.
No. The right structure depends on the country, your sector, your tax position and your immigration plans, and it should be confirmed with licensed local advisers. The course explains the options and the questions to ask so those conversations are productive.
Yes. "Starting a company abroad: complete course" covers the same ground in much more depth, including market research on the ground, incorporation steps, hiring and the compliance calendar for your first year.
