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If you are an international gaming industry entrepreneur contemplating where to establish your next business, the UK really should be at the top of your list. Why? The UK has long been the home to some of the most successful gaming companies ever, including Rockstar North, Codemasters, and Traveller’s Tales. The success of the UK’s gaming industry is in large part due to the availability of innovative developers, designers, and entrepreneurs. The potential for commercial gaming sector success is enormous, with an economic impact in excess of £7 billion annually. As a foreign national, you will need to consider your immigration options before setting up a gaming business in the UK. As we explore in this article, the UK’s Innovator Founder Visa offers one of the best routes for immigrants to the UK who want to benefit from one of the world’s most supportive and dynamic tech ecosystems.
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Why consider the UK for gaming startups?
It is no exaggeration to say that the UK is the foremost international hub for computer game development, thanks to its enviable heritage in this field and the supportive environment for both major gaming studios and indie developers. According to UKIE, the trade body for the UK games and interactive entertainment industry, the number of games businesses in the UK has grown by almost a third since September 2016. Their analysis shows that the UK now has 2,555 active gaming-related companies, of which 2,202 are game development companies, 213 offer services, and 140 are academic institutions with game-focused courses. England has the most with 2,001 games businesses, followed by Scotland (108), Wales (59), and Northern Ireland (38).
London has the highest concentration of gaming companies with 713 companies, but other cities also have robust gaming hubs, including Manchester (75), Brighton (72), and Guildford (71). Regional clusters are also notable in Yorkshire and the Humber (128), the West Midlands (125), and the East Midlands (104).
The UK has now emerged as a hub of innovation and creativity, hosting events like EGX and the London Games Festival, which are vital for networking and industry exposure. Furthermore, when it comes to finding the talent needed to develop the best games, the UK continues to encourage talent development through its educational institutions, where industry partnerships ensure that graduates are equipped with real-world experience.
Why use the UK Innovator Founder Visa?
The UK Innovator Founder visa offers an ideal immigration route for tech/gaming entrepreneurs from other countries because it is designed with them in mind. Here is what you need to know about the Innovator Founder visa as a gaming entrepreneur:
- You must have an idea and plan for an innovative, viable, and scalable business. The emphasis on the word ‘innovative’ is key here as gaming businesses tend to be pioneering and groundbreaking in their approach. For example, this may take the form of a new gaming platform, a game with advanced technologies, or an original approach to storytelling.
- This visa requires endorsement from an approved endorsing body which reviews the business proposal and, upon endorsement, provides mentorship, resources, and networking opportunities to help entrepreneurs integrate and succeed within the UK market.
- If your application is successful, you can stay in the UK for up to 3 years with your partner and children to start up and run your new business venture.
- After 3 years in the UK, you and your immediate family can apply for permanent residence – this is much faster than the 5 years required for most visa routes.
How to achieve gaming business success with an Innovator Founder Visa
Once you have secured your Innovator Founder visa, there are a number of ways you can improve your chances of creating a successful computer gaming business, as follows:
1. Utilise the funding and financial support available in the UK
Many gaming sector entrepreneurs apply to the UK Games Fund (UKGF) for early-stage funding. UKGF, which is operated by the UK Games Talent and Finance Community Interest Company, is a non-profit organisation that supports UK early-stage games development, digital interactive businesses, and the creative ecosystem.
It is also advisable to look at the ‘Creative Industries Tax Relief’ scheme operated by HMRC. This enables game developers to recover a portion of their production costs, which can be reinvested into talent, technology, or marketing. In order to qualify, gaming companies must be certified as British by the British Film Institute and intend to supply the general public. The company must also be responsible for designing, producing and testing the video game, be actively engaged in planning and decision-making, directly negotiate, contract and pay for rights, goods and services, and spend at least 25% of its ‘core costs’ on goods or services provided from within the UK or European Economic Area (EEA).
2. Attend networking and Industry Events
The UK is home to many top gaming events, such as the London Games Festival, EGX, and the Game Developers Conference (GDC). These serve as a great place to meet new like-minded people in this growing and popular industry. These gatherings offer entrepreneurs opportunities to showcase their projects, pitch ideas to investors, and gain invaluable feedback from industry veterans. For gaming startups, building a network early on can fast-track partnerships, attract investment, and enhance visibility within the industry.
3. Mentorship and Collaboration
For gaming entrepreneurs, working with a mentor in the UK can further accelerate the journey to commercial success. Those who are experienced in the computer gaming sector, including angel investors, understand how to achieve success. They will help you to evolve your ideas and give you access to a community of like-minded professionals.
How to apply for an Innovator Founder Visa as a foreign gaming entrepreneur
There are several steps that you must follow in order to secure an Innovator Founder visa in the UK, as follows:
- Create a comprehensive business plan for a new, innovative, sustainable, and economically viable gaming business. Ensure that your gaming startup plan shows potential to benefit the UK economy.
- Apply to a suitable approved endorsing body to have your business idea endorsed (these include UK Endorsing Services, Innovator International, and Envestors Limited)
- Apply for an Innovator Founder visa online
- Pay the required application fee and immigration healthcare surcharge (gives you access to the NHS)
- Have your fingerprints and photographs taken at a visa application centre if requested.
- Provide any evidence or documents requested by UK visas and immigration to support your application
Once you have submitted your application, you can expect to receive a decision within 3 weeks. By utilising the services of a specialist business immigration consultant to handle your application, you can ensure that you receive a positive decision without delay.
Final words
The UK Innovator Founder Visa is particularly suitable and beneficial for foreign computer game entrepreneurs who are considering starting up a new venture in the UK. Firstly, it is a natural fit for the gaming business, which tends to be at the leading edge of technological innovation. Secondly, it encourages gaming entrepreneurs to go through the endorsement process, giving them much-needed advice, confidence and support. And finally, it offers the reward of accelerated permanent residency after just 3 years for the main visa holder and their immediate family members. Ultimately, by choosing the UK, overseas gaming entrepreneurs don’t just start a business here; they join a global leader in gaming innovation and have a pathway to long-term growth and success through the Innovator Founder visa. For entrepreneurs who prefer to control their own business setup without needing endorsement, the Self-Sponsorship UK route is also worth exploring, provided you carefully budget for the self-sponsorship visa UK cost from the outset.
