UK Start Up Visa
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.
Entry Clearance Applications
The Start-Up Visa requirements may be met by the following criteria:
- Applicants must be least 18 years old.
- 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
Applicants may transfer to the Start-Up Visa category should any of the following apply:
- Applicant is already resident in the UK
- Applicant wishes to transfer from the Tier 1 (Graduate Entrepreneur) program
- Applicant wishes to transfer from any Tier 2 Visa program
- Applicant wishes to transfer from the Tier 4 (General) Student Visa
- Applicant is a UK visitor who has been undertaking permitted activities as a prospective entrepreneur
Processing time:
- Applicants may apply up to 3 months prior to travel to the UK. To expedite the decision-making process, applicants may pay for a Priority Service