UK Business and Entrepreneur Visa Options
Entrepreneurs, overseas companies and highly accomplished professionals may instead consider routes based on innovation, business expansion or recognised talent.
Innovator Founder Visa
The Innovator Founder Visa is designed for entrepreneurs who want to establish and actively develop an innovative business in the UK.
The proposed business must be new, innovative, viable and scalable and must receive approval from an authorised endorsing body. There is currently no fixed minimum investment amount, but applicants must demonstrate that they have sufficient funding and a realistic plan to establish and grow the business.
The visa is granted for up to three years. Applicants must normally meet their endorsing body after 12 and 24 months to demonstrate progress. Extensions are available in further three-year periods, with no limit on the number of extensions.
Eligible applicants may bring their partner and children as dependants. The visa holder can operate one or more businesses and may also undertake separate employment, provided the role requires at least a Level 3 qualification.
Settlement Pathway
Applicants may qualify for Indefinite Leave to Remain after three years, provided they continue to meet the endorsement, residence and business-performance requirements.
British citizenship is a separate process and is not automatically granted after five years. Applicants normally need to obtain settlement first and satisfy the applicable residence, absence, character and citizenship requirements.
UK Expansion Worker Visa
The UK Expansion Worker Visa, under the Global Business Mobility route, allows a senior manager or specialist employee of an overseas company to come to the UK to establish a branch or subsidiary that has not yet started trading in the UK.
Applicants must generally have:
- A valid Certificate of Sponsorship
- Qualifying employment with the overseas company
- An eligible occupation
- The required minimum salary
- A genuine role connected to the UK expansion
The visa is initially granted for up to 12 months and may be extended, subject to a maximum stay of two years under this route. Dependants may be eligible to accompany the main applicant.
Important:
The UK Expansion Worker Visa does not directly lead to permanent residence. Applicants wishing to settle may later need to qualify for and switch to another eligible immigration category.
Global Talent Visa
The Global Talent Visa is intended for recognised leaders or potential leaders in:
- Digital technology
- Academia or research
- Arts and culture
Applicants normally require endorsement from the appropriate organisation unless they have received an eligible prestigious prize. This is not a general investor visa and wealth or investment alone does not qualify an applicant.
The visa allows successful applicants to work, change employment, become self-employed or establish a business without employer sponsorship. It can be granted for up to five years at a time, and settlement may be possible after three or five years, depending on the applicant’s field and endorsement category.
Which Route May Be Suitable?
The Innovator Founder Visa may suit entrepreneurs with an original and scalable UK business proposition.
The UK Expansion Worker Visa may suit established overseas companies sending senior personnel to launch a UK operation.
The Global Talent Visa may suit internationally recognised professionals in technology, research, academia, arts or culture.
Build Your Business Future in the UK
Open Path Immigration can assist with initial eligibility assessment, pathway selection, business-plan coordination, document preparation and referral to appropriately authorised UK immigration professionals.
Visa rules, endorsement requirements, fees and processing arrangements may change. Applicants should obtain an updated assessment before proceeding.
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