The UK Start-up visa route is a perfect opportunity for entrepreneurs who have decided to enter the UK market by establishing a business. The route became applicable in 2021 and replaced the Tier 1 Entrepreneur visa. We will be briefly talking about the Start-up visa route in today’s post!
The Start-up visa allows entrepreneurs with a unique and innovative idea to set up and operate a business in the UK. It is important that the entrepreneur applicants have not established a company in the UK before. In addition, there are some basic criterions such as proving their English language ability and documenting through the UK endorsing body that their business idea is unique in the market.
You can stay in the UK for up to 2 years with a Start-up visa. If your business is successful, you can switch to other visa routes in order to settle in the UK.
The Start-up visa applications are assessed through a point-based system, which means that every piece of document you will provide can score if you know what you are doing! Before you apply, there are some important aspects you need to know.
What are the Start-up visa Requirements?
You must have 70 points for a successful Start-up visa application. The criterion and the points are as follows:
You have not established a business in the UK before – 25 points
As we mentioned earlier, it is not possible for you to apply for the UK Start-up visa route if you established a business in the UK before. However, there are some exceptional circumstances in which this rule does not apply. If you established your business while you held the Tier 1 graduate entrepreneur or start-up visa, or while you were in the doctorate extension scheme, you can still be eligible to apply for the Start-up visa.
Your business idea is innovative, viable and scalable – 25 points
Before your visa application, your business idea must be approved by an endorsing body within the UK. There are more than 100 eligible endorsing bodies specified by the Home Office for the visa applicants. Each of these endorsing bodies might require additional and different information regarding your business idea depending on your industry. However, in general, you are expected to present the innovative, viable and scalable aspects of your start-up business idea. While this can be achieved through a detailed business plan, you may also submit additional documentation.
You must get your endorsement letter from one of the UK Start-up visa endorsing bodies in order to have a successful visa application. This is a non-tradeable, therefore a mandatory, document to submit with your Start-up visa application.
If you are wondering how to reach Start-up visa endorsing bodies, contact us and we can guide you thoroughly!
You know English at B2 level – 10 points
The Start-up visa applicants must prove they know English at B2 level while applying. You can do this by having an exam result showing that you can speak, understand, read, and write in English at least at B2 level. There are certain exams and exam centres specified by the UKVI just for visa applicants. While you can take these tests in or outside the UK, you might be eligible to apply for the Start-up visa without an exam result. Please do contact us for these exceptional circumstances so that we can assist your visa journey!
You have enough funds – 10 points
So, what is ‘enough funds?’ The Home Office expects you to show enough funds to support your life in the UK without applying any benefits provided by the government. The minimum limit for this is £1270 which must be in your bank accounts for at least 28 days before the application date. However, if you have dependents applying with you, this amount changes. Please contact us to learn more!
Your Family Members Can Join You in the UK
Yes! If you are applying for the UK Start-up visa in order to establish a business, your family members can apply with you. It means that they will have the right to work and study in the UK.
You Can Work at Other Jobs
While you manage your own business in the UK, with the Start-up visa you can also work at supplementary jobs to support your income. The Home Office allows Start-up entrepreneurs to work at different jobs.
Do you need detailed information about the UK Start-Up visa requirements or Start-up endorsing bodies? You can check our Start-up visa webpage or directly contact us. We are ready to help you.