Move from USA to the UK to Start a Business

You need an innovative, viable and scalable idea that a Home Office-endorsed body has approved. Show you will run the business day to day, hold enough money to support yourself, and provide a credible business plan. There is no set investment level, but the plan must prove the venture can grow.

Self-sponsorship works in three stages: Either already own or acquire a UK company, secure a sponsor licence for that company, then have the firm issue you a Skilled Worker certificate so you can apply for the visa yourself. You run the business on your own terms and, provided you keep meeting the rules, you can apply for ILR once five years are up.

Yes. If you are expanding to the UK, your US company can use the Expansion Worker route to send a senior representative to open the new branch. For the Innovator Founder or Self-Sponsorship routes, the business can still be at concept stage, but you must set out credible steps to start trading once you arrive.

Yes. Innovator Founder and Self-Sponsorship both count toward the five-year settlement clock for ILR. Global Talent can reach ILR in three or five years, depending on the endorsement. Expansion Worker and High Potential Individual visas do not lead directly to settlement, but you can switch to a route that does once you are in the UK.

Innovator Founder has no set investment, but you must show you can fund the plan and have held at least £1,270 for 28 days if you apply from overseas or with under 12 months’ UK leave. Self-Sponsorship has the job you assign yourself and must pay £41,700 or the occupation’s going rate, whichever is higher. UK Expansion Worker has a minimum salary of £52,500 or the going rate, whichever is higher.

Yes. Innovator Founder, Global Talent, and Self-Sponsorship let you own the business outright. Expansion Worker needs a corporate link between the overseas and UK firms, so full ownership depends on how the group is structured.

Yes, switching is allowed. Once you satisfy the rules for another category you can apply from inside the UK. A typical path is to start on High Potential Individual or Expansion Worker, then move into Innovator Founder or Self-Sponsorship after the business plan, funding and sponsor licence are in place.

Yes. Spouses and children under 18 can accompany or join you on most long-term business visas. Each dependant must satisfy the financial and relationship rules set by the Home Office.

Innovator Founder and Self-Sponsorship visas are built around running your own company, so outside work is not expected. Global Talent and High Potential Individual visas allow extra roles if they do not distract from your main business or break any rules. The UK Expansion Worker ties you to the sponsoring employer alone.