Entrepreneurs

If you wish to set up a business or businesses in the UK then you can apply to enter or remain in the UK as a Tier 1 (Entrepreneur) Migrant. Our immigration barristers & lawyers can assist you with visa applications and visa appeals. The legal requirements for immigration applications for entrepreneurs & business owners are set out below.

INITIAL APPLICATIONS

If you are applying to enter the UK or to switch from another category, you must show that you have access to:

  • £200,000; or
  • £50,000 if it is provided by the UK government, a registered venture capital firm or a UK entrepreneurial seed funding competition.

You must also show that you meet the following requirements:

  • Your money is held in a regulated financial institution such as a bank or building society; and
  • The money can be spent in the UK; and
  • You speak English to the required standard; and
  • You have enough money to support yourself without relying on public funds; and
  • If you have been in the UK as a student in the last year, and you were entirely sponsored by a government or international scholarship agency, you provide a letter from them giving consent.

EXTENSION APPLICATIONS

If you are already in the UK as a Tier 1 (Entrepreneur) Migrant, and you wish to stay longer, then you will need to show that you meet the following requirements:

  • You have invested at least £200,000 or £50,000 (if it has been provided by one of the sources listed above) in a business or businesses in the UK; and 
  • You have registered as a business director or a self-employed person; and
  • You are engaged in business activity; and
  • You have created at least two full-time jobs for people who are British or have indefinite leave to remain, and these jobs have existed for at least a year; and
  • You speak English to the required standard; and
  • You have enough money to support yourself without relying on public funds.
  • Your spouse, civil partner, unmarried partner and / or children may also be able to apply as your dependents.

The UK Border Agency changes the requirements of the Points Based System regularly and if you are refused leave to remain under the Points Based System and you appeal, you will only be able to rely on evidence that you submitted with your original application; you cannot introduce new evidence. It is therefore important that any application for a Tier 1 (Entrepreneur) visa is prepared carefully.

CONTACT US

For advice and assistance with a Tier 1 (Entrepreneur) visa application or appeal, call our entrepreneur visa lawyers & immigration barristers direct on 0203 440 5820 or e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it