Entrepreneur Visa In Uk
The entrepreneur visa UK is a kind of multiple entry visa on a long-term basis that allows you to travel to the UK for one or more visits for business purposes, including setting up your business and research. The applicant has to apply for an entrepreneur visa from outside the UK; after getting it, he must travel to the UK to get his biometric residence permit and enter the country for the first time. The Entrepreneur Visa in the UK is one of the most popular routes for non-European foreign individuals to enter the United Kingdom and start their own business. It will give you an opportunity to live and work in the UK for two years, which can be extended for another two for five years. The entrepreneur visa is applicable to any country of origin.
Entrepreneur Visa In Uk
The entrepreneur visa to the UK is more relevant than it used to be back in 2013. With Brexit having passed and a looming recession, many of the best and brightest people leaving the UK and moving on to other European countries like Germany. But don’t worry. Even after Brexit, the UK remains one of the best places to set up shop and start your startup with some of the most accommodating laws when it comes to entrepreneur visas in Europe and even Worldwide. In this post, I’ll be covering what you need to do to get started on applying for an entrepreneur visa in the UK as well as some great resources that can help you get underway with your new venture.Sir James Dyson became a billionaire in part to his ability to see things other people couldn’t. When most were focused on bagless vacuum cleaners, he saw an opportunity for industrial-sized cyclone separation. When others were focused on selling small jet turbines, he had the foresight to invent a new niche category: of large-scale fans for use in industrial facilities. That sort of vision takes hard work and persistence— two qualities which you share with Dyson (and your entrepreneur predecessor).
Overview
You can apply for a Start-up visa if:
- you want to set up an innovative business in the UK – it must be something that’s different from anything else on the market
- you meet the other eligibility requirements
If you’re from the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein
If you or your family member started living in the UK by 31 December 2020, you may be able to apply to the free EU Settlement Scheme.
The deadline to apply was 30 June 2021 for most people. You can still apply if either:
- you have a later deadline – for example, you’re joining a family member in the UK who was living in the UK by 31 December 2020
- you have ‘reasonable grounds’ for being unable to apply by 30 June 2021 – for example, you had an illness or were the victim of domestic abuse
Check if you can still apply to the EU Settlement Scheme.
Otherwise you need a visa to work in the UK.
Irish citizens do not need to apply for a visa or to the EU Settlement Scheme.
Eligibility
You must be endorsed by an authorised body that is either:
- a UK higher education institution
- a business organisation with a history of supporting UK entrepreneurs
You must be able to show that your business idea is:
- a new idea – you cannot join in a business that is already trading
- innovative – you must have an original business idea which is different from anything else on the market
- viable – it has potential for growth
If you’re not eligible for a Start-up visa
You may be eligible for another type of visa to work in the UK.
How long you can stay
You can stay for 2 years if you either:
- come to the UK on a Start-up visa
- switch to this visa from another visa while in the UK
If you want to stay longer in the UK
You cannot apply to extend this visa.
You may be able to switch to an Innovator visa if you set up a business while on a Start-up visa and:
- your endorsing body assessed and agreed it
- it is active, trading and sustainable
- you have day to day involvement in it
If your endorsement is withdrawn
Your visa may be cut short if your endorsement is withdrawn by the endorsing body. If you want to stay longer, you must re-apply with a new endorsement before your current visa expires.
You can only stay for a total of 2 years even if you’re granted a new visa with a new endorsement.
How to apply
You must apply online.
How you apply depends on whether you’re:
- outside the UK and are coming to the UK
- inside the UK and switching from a different visa
Your partner and children can also apply to stay in the UK if they’re eligible. They’ll need to complete separate applications.
How long it takes
As part of your application, you’ll need to prove your identity and provide your documents.
You may need to allow extra time if you need an appointment to do this. You’ll find out if you need one when you start your application.
Getting a decision
Once you’ve applied online, proved your identity and provided your documents, you’ll usually get a decision on your visa within:
- 3 weeks, if you’re outside the UK
- 8 weeks, if you’re inside the UK
It’s currently taking longer to get a decision on Start-up visas when you apply from outside the UK. Find out visa decision waiting times.
If you need to go to an appointment, you may be able to pay for a faster decision. How you do this depends on whether you’re outside the UK or inside the UK.
Fees
How much you pay for a Start-up visa depends on your situation and where you apply from.
| Who you’re applying for | Apply (outside the UK) | Switch (in the UK) |
|---|---|---|
| Yourself | £378 | £508 |
| Your partner and children | £378 each person | £508 each person |
You must pay the visa fee for each person that applies at the same time as you or applies later to join you in the UK.
Healthcare surcharge
You’ll also have to pay the healthcare surcharge as part of your application.
Check how much you’ll have to pay before you apply.
If you’re applying to switch in the UK
You’ll also need to have your biometric information (fingerprints and a photo) taken – there’s no fee for this.
What you can and cannot do
With a Start-up visa you can:
- bring your partner and children with you as your ‘dependants’, if they’re eligible
- work in another job, as well as working for your business
- travel abroad and return to the UK
You can also switch to this visa from some other visa categories.
You cannot:
- apply for most benefits (public funds), or the State Pension
- work as a professional sportsperson, for example a sports coach
- settle in the UK on this visa
If your application is successful, you’ll get a full list of what you can and cannot do with a Start-up visa.