There is a number of different options available to you. Which one is appropriate for you will depend on your entrepreneurial experience and the nature of your business.
Start-up visa
The Start-up visa is intended for individuals with no business experience who want to set up a business that fills a gap in the UK market. To demonstrate this requirement, you will need to obtain confirmation from an endorsing body that your business is based on a new idea, is innovative, and has the potential to grow. If successful, you will be granted a two-year visa to come to the UK to establish the business, after which you will need to switch to a new visa route to remain in the UK.
Innovator visa
The Innovator visa, whilst similar to the start-up visa, is intended for more established and experienced business entrepreneurs. An endorsing body will need to confirm that your business is new, innovative and viable. Additionally, you must also have £50,000 to invest in the business. The initial visa is granted for three years, and can then be extended.
UK Expansion Worker
The UK Expansion Worker visa allows a senior manager or specialist employee of an existing overseas business to come to the UK to set up a new branch or subsidiary. The employer will need to obtain an expansion worker sponsor licence so they can sponsor the senior manager or specialist to obtain the visa. The visa will be granted for up to 12 months, and it can subsequently be extended for another period of up to 12 months. After that, the business and employee will have to change the licence and visa to another category, usually for the Skilled Worker route.
Sole representative and Investor visas
Whilst the Sole Representative of an Overseas Business and Investor categories are closed to new applicants, it is possible for those who are already in the UK under these routes to extend their visas.
Other visas
There are some other types of visa based on personal relationships or ties to the UK, which also allow the holder to start a business in the UK, such as a family visa or an Ancestry visa. While they are likely to be available only to a small number of applicants, it is still worth exploring these routes.
How can we help?
Gherson’s Immigration Team are experienced in all of the above business visa applications. Please do not hesitate to contact us for advice, send us an e-mail, or, alternatively, follow us on Twitter, Facebook, or LinkedIn to stay-up-to-date.
The information in this blog is for general information purposes only and does not purport to be comprehensive or to provide legal advice. Whilst every effort is made to ensure the information and law is current as of the date of publication it should be stressed that, due to the passage of time, this does not necessarily reflect the present legal position. Gherson accepts no responsibility for loss which may arise from accessing or reliance on information contained in this blog. For formal advice on the current law please don’t hesitate to contact Gherson. Legal advice is only provided pursuant to a written agreement, identified as such, and signed by the client and by or on behalf of Gherson.
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