*It is important to note that it is no longer possible to apply for a UK Entrepreneur visa, but you can apply for a UK Entrepreneur visa extension.
There are, however, some newer immigration routes for entrepreneurs, including the Innovator Founder visa and the self-sponsorship route.
AY&J specialise in both of these immigration routes and will guide you through the entrepreneur visa process, making it easy and seamless.
The UK is an increasingly popular destination for overseas business people, entrepreneurs, and businesspeople who wish to establish a new business venture in Europe. The UK economy is currently thriving, and inward investment is actively encouraged in all industrial sectors. By basing your business in the UK, you will benefit from the availability of top-flight talent from some of the best schools and universities in the world, an excellent transport network, a modern and progressive financial system, and a business-friendly environment. The UK’s green economy is also ramping up, offering boundless opportunities for business people and investors who want to become early adopters in this area.
The UK entrepreneur visa closed to new applications on 29th March 2019. It is still possible for those with an entrepreneur visa to apply for an extension. The UK entrepreneur visa allows overseas business people to come to the UK to set up and run a new business. Applicants require investment funds of £200,000 or £50,000 if applying for the Graduate Entrepreneur visa.
The UK entrepreneur visa enables holders to:
There were two main application categories for the UK entrepreneur:
To apply under the £200,000 investment funds route, applicants need to meet the following eligibility criteria:
Investment funds have to be one of the following:
To apply under the £50,000 investment funds route, applicants needed funding from a Department for International Trade (DIT) approved seed fund, a UK Government or devolved government department, or a venture capital fund registered with the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).
The UK entrepreneur visa has now been replaced by the UK Innovator visa and the self-sponsorship route.
At A Y & J Solicitors in London, we’ve helped thousands of new and experienced entrepreneurs from around the world move to the UK. We understand the typical challenges that come along with entrepreneur visa applications and know how to mitigate them. We will walk you through the steps, showing you how to secure your business endorsement, business visa, and/or sponsor licence. Instead of going it alone, let our lawyers take the weight off your shoulders so you can rest easy knowing you’ll be able to bring your business and your family to the UK.
Relocating to the UK to start a new business can be an intimidating yet deeply rewarding endeavour. By choosing the right visa and preparing a strong application, you can transform your entrepreneurial aspirations into reality.
Still confused about what visa route to take or unable to find a visa route? Get a free assessment with one of our experts at AY&J Solicitors.
Kate Corey, Founder of 6 Degrees
Having previously secured a Tier 1 (Entrepreneur) Entry Clearance with the help of A Y & J Solicitors, Mr H asked for assistance with his visa extension application. We prepared a detailed checklist of required documents and handled the documentation, including a thorough legal representation letter and an online application. Mr H needed to demonstrate a minimum £200,000 investment in his business and the creation of two full-time jobs, leveraging a Covid-19 concession for the latter. Despite additional information requests from the UKVI, the application was meticulously managed and ultimately successful, resulting in the grant of Mr H’s Tier 1 (Entrepreneur) Extension visa.
To find out more information about Mr. H’s story, please click here.
We are specialists in immigration law and have supported more than 4,000 business owners and professionals around the globe to successfully navigate the British system. We work quickly, always responding to any queries within 24 working hours. We work closely with the Home Office to pre-empt issues before they jeopardise sponsorship applications or breach compliance. We manage all United Kingdom immigration matters, including visa applications under the new points-based immigration system, Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), Spouse Visa, nationality, and more. We also handle complex appeal cases, administrative reviews, judicial reviews, and many immigration challenges involving European Union law and human rights.
A Y & J Solicitors has more than 1,200 positive client reviews across Google and Trustpilot and is listed in The Legal top 500 best UK law firms, so you can rest assured your immigration challenges are in safe hands when you take these three simple steps:
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"I had a really good experience with AY&J solicitors. I was working closely with Imad who helped me and my partner apply for a visa. Imad was really helpful and reliable, he would answer any questions we had without hesitation and would reply to emails promptly. Imad reassured us for any worries we had in regards to the visa application. For any immigration related issues that I will have in the future, i know where to come back to. Thank you AY&J solicitors"
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Yes, you can apply either individually or as a team. Teams must be of no more than 2 applicants and can share the same investment funds. Each member of the team must have an equal level of control over the funds and equal status as owners, directors and/or members of the business.
The initial duration of the entrepreneur visa is 3 years.
To remain beyond the 3-year period, applicants have to:
1. Register their business
2. Invest their funds and create the equivalent of at least 2 full-time jobs for resident workers.
Note: Those who did not hold leave as a Tier 1 (Graduate Entrepreneur) before being granted as a Tier 1 (Entrepreneur) can only apply for extensions until 6th April 2023.
Those who held leave as a Tier 1 (Graduate Entrepreneur) before you switched to Tier 1 (Entrepreneur) can submit applications to extend their stay after switching to Tier 1 (Entrepreneur) until 6th July 2025.
Entrepreneur visa holders can apply to settle in the UK after 5 years. Accelerated settlement is also available within 3 years for those who create 10 or more full-time jobs or a business income of £5 million or more.
Applications made outside the UK are normally processed within 3 weeks.
Applications made inside the UK normally take around 8 weeks to process.
Factors that will vary the processing time include where you apply, whether you have provided the required documents, and whether UKVI have any questions about your application.
For those who are eligible for super-priority processing, it is possible to receive a decision within 1 working day. However, this service has an additional cost.
The Self-sponsorship route is ideal for business people who want to establish their own business in the UK and sponsor themselves. You might consider this route if you usually need a work visa but prefer to work for yourself. In other words, it puts you in control rather than an employer. To apply under the Self-Sponsorship route, you will need to:
The immigration Solicitors at AY&J have helped many overseas business people make successful self-sponsorship applications and can do the same for you. We will explain the process and the requirements, help you secure a sponsor licence, and then prepare and submit your Skilled Worker visa application for you and your family.
Ready to Secure Your Self-Sponsorship UK Visa Route? Discover the key to your successful self-sponsorship journey with our exclusive resources:
On-Demand Webinar: “What is Self-Sponsorship Visa UK? How to Apply, Eligibility Criteria & Requirements”
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10-Step Process: How We Help Our Clients Secure Self-Sponsorship in the UK Comprehensive Guide on How to Apply for the Self-Sponsorship Route
The current cost of extending an entrepreneur visa is £ 486 if you apply in the UK or £1,191 if you apply outside the UK.
Applicants also have to pay the healthcare surcharge of £1,035 per year.
You will need to pay the application fee and healthcare surcharge when you apply for your visa online (e.g. by debit or credit card).
When applying for an entrepreneur visa extension, you will need to provide evidence that:
1. You have invested at least £200,000 (or £50,000 if you were awarded points for £50,000 funding or investment in your last grant of leave) in cash directly into one or more UK businesses.
2. You have registered with HM Revenue & Customs as self-employed, or (b) registered with Companies House as a director of a UK company or member of a UK partnership. You must have registered within six months of entering the UK with your entry clearance
3. You have: (a) established a new business or businesses that have or have created the equivalent of at least 2 new full-time jobs for settled workers, or (b) joined or taken over an existing business or businesses and your services or investment have resulted in a net increase in the employment provided by the business or businesses for settled workers by creating the equivalent of at least 2 new full-time jobs. The jobs must have existed for at least 12 months during your most recent grant of leave or, where that leave was granted less than 12 months ago, for at least 12 months immediately before the date of the current application.
4. If your business is a registered company which is required to produce audited accounts, the audited accounts must be provided with your application. If your business is not required to produce audited accounts, unaudited accounts and an accounts compilation report must be provided by an accountant. The audited or unaudited accounts must show the investment in money made directly in the business.
You will need to pass the genuine entrepreneur test by showing that you have:
1. have established, taken over or become a director of one or more genuine businesses in the UK and have genuinely operated that business;
2. have genuinely invested the money referred to in Table A: Extension Applications into one or more genuine businesses in the UK;
3. intend to continue operating one or more businesses in the UK; and
4. do not intend to take employment other than under the terms of paragraph 245DE of the Immigration Rules.
Here are some simple but essential tips to significantly boost our chances of getting a positive decision on your visa on the first attempt, saving you time and money:
It is always important to thoroughly outline your new business plan, including detailed market analysis and financial forecasts. This will show that you have really thought about your business idea and have put in the homework necessary to make it a success. Remember to highlight your venture’s innovative aspects and ensure full compliance with the endorsement criteria.
Gather all of the documents and evidence required to support your application, including identity documents, bank statements, and business endorsements. We recommend making sure that all documents are translated into English and organised methodically to make it easier for the case officer reviewing your case.
Find an experienced UK immigration solicitor who you can trust to prepare or review your application. Their expertise will ensure that your application proceeds smoothly and that any queries from UK Visas and Immigration are addressed.
Even the most minor visa application errors or mistakes can lead to immediate refusal, resulting in disappointment, inconvenience, wasted time, and financial loss. To make sure that your application is approved the first time with no delay, it is important to avoid the most common reasons for rejection, as follows:
Never be tempted to rush your visa, endorsement, or sponsor licence application. If you are short on time, hand the process over to a UK-based immigration Solicitor who will greatly enhance your chances of securing a UK business visa and successfully starting your company in the UK.
To apply for an entrepreneur visa extension, you will need to:
1. Check that you meet all of the eligibility criteria as outlined above
2. Gather the necessary information
3. Apply online
4. Pay any fees required
5. Upload any documents required
6. Make an appointment at a UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services (UKVCAS) service point to provide your biometric information (your fingerprints and a photo).
After you have completed the above steps, you may be contacted by UKVI if they require additional supporting documents, further verification of documents, if you need to attend an interview, or if they have questions about your personal circumstances (for example, if you have a criminal conviction).
