Tier 1

Under Tier 1, you apply for a visa in your own right, rather than through a sponsor.

You can apply for either a Tier 1 (graduate entrepreneur) visa or a Tier 1 (entrepreneur) visa. You can also first apply for a Tier 1 (graduate entrepreneur) visa and later apply for a Tier 1 (entrepreneur) visa. This note assumes that you first apply for a Tier 1 (graduate entrepreneur) visa and later apply for a Tier 1 (entrepreneur) visa.

Tier 1 (graduate entrepreneur)

Requirements:

• You are a graduate who has been officially endorsed as having a genuine and credible business idea;
• You are from outside the EEA/Switzerland; and
• You meet the other eligibility criteria.

You must be endorsed by either the UK Trade and Investment authority (UKTI) identifying you as an elite global entrepreneur to establish one or more businesses in the UK, or be endorsed by a Higher Education Institution (HEI), if the HEI is an authorised endorsing body.

It will cost £456 to extend/switch in the UK, and a further £456 for each dependant.

You can stay in the UK for one year under this visa, and can apply to extend it for one more year if UKTI or the HEI agrees to endorse you for a further year. You cannot settle in the UK on this visa.

Eligibility/points requirements:

You need to score 95 points under the points based system to qualify for this visa. The points are scored as follows:

• 25 points for being endorsed by the UKTI or an HEI (as above).
• 25 points for having a recognised bachelor’s degree, master’s degree or PhD.
• 25 points for having an endorsement letter (issued in the past 3 months) which confirms that your endorsing body considers you to have a genuine and credible business idea and is satisfied you will spend the majority of your working time furthering this. The endorsement must also confirm your intended business sector (points will not be awarded for businesses engaged in property development/management).
• 10 points for English language skills.
• 10 points for maintenance funds (£945 in savings if applying in UK, plus an extra £630 in savings for each dependant).

You must provide:

• A current passport/valid travel identification;
• A passport-sized colour photograph;
• A letter of endorsement from HEI;
• Bank statements showing you have £945 in savings and that you have had this in your bank account for 90 days before you apply; and
• Your TB test results.

If your degree was awarded by a different HEI, you must also provide an original degree certificate and proof of English language knowledge.

To switch to this visa, you should apply before your current visa expires.

You also have to pay the healthcare surcharge.

Tier 1 (entrepreneur)

There are several routes to obtaining a visa under this category. This note assumes that you are applying as a current Tier 1 (graduate entrepreneur) visa holder. Different requirements apply if you are applying as a Tier 4 visa holder.

Requirements:

• You are currently a Tier 1 (graduate entrepreneur) visa holder;
• You want to set up/run a business in the UK;
• You are from outside the EEA/Switzerland;
• You are applying for leave to remain in the UK; and
• You meet the other eligibility requirements.

You must have access to at least £50,000 investment funds.

There are detailed rules concerning the funds available to invest and these must be closely followed.

All Tier 1 (Entrepreneur) migrants making an initial application are subject to a ‘genuine entrepreneur’ test. UKVI must be satisfied that:

• You genuinely intend and are able to establish, take over or become a director of one or more businesses in the UK within the next six months;
• You genuinely intend to invest the money in the business or businesses referred to above;
• The money is genuinely available to you and will remain available to you until such time as it is spent for the purposes of the business or businesses; and
• You do not intend to take employment in the United Kingdom other than working in your business.

This visa allows you to stay for a maximum of 3 years and 4 months, and this can be extended a further 3 years with proof of establishing a business in the UK.

Other requirements:

• As well as funds, you must meet the English language requirement;
• Be able to support yourself and any dependents;
• Score 95 points; and
• Be at least 16 years old.

You must provide:

• A current passport/valid travel identification;
• A passport size colour photograph;
• Evidence of investment funds available;
• A business plan;
• Evidence that you can support yourself;
• Proof that you meet the English language requirement; and
• Your TB test results (if applicable).

When applying, you will have to pay the healthcare surcharge for yourself and your family.

It will cost £1,180 to apply online/post, and another £1,180 for each dependant.