UK Start-up Visa
The UK Start-Up Visa is aimed at new entrepreneurs launching their first UK business and carries no requirement for initial capital investment. Successful applicants are granted a 2-year visa after which they may be able to progress to the Innovator category in order to further develop their business(es) within the UK.
- The UK Start-Up Visa is a new category that replaced the Tier 1 Graduate Entrepreneur Visa program. Applications are assessed for innovation, viability and scalability and must be accompanied by an Endorsement Letter from a Home Office approved Endorsing Body.
The Start-Up Visa requirements may be met by the following criteria :
- Applicant must be at least 18 years of age
- Applicant may not be a Swiss citizen or from the European Economic Area (EEA)
- Applicant must not have previously set up a UK business
- Applicant must be endorsed by a relevant Endorsing Body
- Applicant must have sufficient personal savings in order to reside in the UK
- Applicant must meet the English language requirement
Key Benefits:
- There is no investment fund requirement, however applicants may require investment funds as a condition of endorsement
- Applicants may bring their family members, including a spouse/partner and children under the age of 18
- The Start-Up Visa is a one-off visa without the option for extension after 2 years or qualification for further leave to remain under this category.
- However, Start-Up Visa holders may switch to the Innovator Visa program in order to extend their stay in the UK and facilitate further business development. The Innovator Visa is valid for a 3-year period. After 3 years there is an option to extend the visa prior to expiry, or to qualify for ILR. Should a 5-year period have passed since an applicant first entered the UK through the Start-Up Visa program, they may well become eligible to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (UK settlement).
- You may need to prove your knowledge of the English language when you apply.
- You can prove your knowledge of English by either:
- passing an approved English language test with at least CEFR level B2 in reading, writing, speaking and listening
- having an academic qualification that was taught in English and is recognized by UK NARIC as being equivalent to a UK bachelor’s degree, master’s degree or PhD
- You do not need to prove your knowledge of English if you’ve already proved it to be level B2 or above in an earlier successful application.
You can :
- bring family members with you
- switch to this visa from some other visa categories
- work in another job, as well as working for your business
You cannot :
- get public funds
- work as a doctor or dentist in training
- work as a professional sportsperson, for example a sports coach
- settle in the UK on this visa
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