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UK Work Permit
Advice & Assistance
Free Assessment[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row full_width=”stretch_row” content_placement=”middle” css_animation=”fadeIn” css=”.vc_custom_1544181326484{background-image: url(https://immigrationexperts.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Banner.jpg?id=1633) !important;background-position: center !important;background-repeat: no-repeat !important;background-size: cover !important;}” el_class=”video_overlay”][vc_column css=”.vc_custom_1544180342932{padding-top: 100px !important;padding-bottom: 100px !important;}”][vc_custom_heading source=”post_title” font_container=”tag:h1|text_align:center|color:{550504ab9c0cb0f84db7c39152d65be21b6403ad977c49457b63283386586382}23ffffff” use_theme_fonts=”yes” css=”.vc_custom_1544183165369{margin-bottom: 30px !important;}”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row css=”.vc_custom_1452837797829{margin-bottom: 51px !important;}”][vc_column][vc_column_text]
Section 1: Entrepreneur Visa (Tier 1)
Successive governments in the UK have focused on attracting entrepreneurs from all over the world to set up businesses or invest in existing businesses in the country. The Entrepreneur Visa (Tier 1) is a go-to option for anyone wanting to visit the UK to set up a new business or invest in an existing business.
If you do not reside in the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland, you can apply for a Tier 1 Entrepreneur Visa for the UK, if you meet the eligibility criteria. This visa category applies to the main applicant as well as their family, including spouse and children below 18 years. If your visa application is approved, you can stay in the UK for a maximum of 3 years and 4 months.
Even after this duration is over, you can get the visa extended and also apply for settlement in the future. However, while staying in the UK on a Tier 1 Entrepreneur Visa, you are not permitted to work outside of your business or collect public funds.
To be eligible for the visa, applicants need to score adequate points on the basis of the funds they have to invest in the business, English language ability, and sufficient maintenance funds to live in the UK.
Section 2: General Queries About Entrepreneur Visa (Tier 1)
1. What are the Eligibility Criteria for an Entrepreneur Visa (Tier 1)?
To be eligible for the Tier 1 Entrepreneur Visa UK, you need to clear a point-based test and score at least 95 points on it. The points are divided into three categories:
1. Investment (Total 75 Points)
To fulfill the UK Tier 1 Entrepreneur Visa qualifying investments criteria, you need access to at least £200,000 in investment funds or at least £50,000 from one or more UK-registered venture capital firms, UK entrepreneurial seed funding competition or UK government departments. You can earn 25 points by fulfilling this criterion. The investment funds should be held in one or more regulated financial institutions (25 points) and should be freely disposable on a business in the UK (25 points).
2. Language (10 Points)
To prove your knowledge of English, appear for an approved English language test with a minimum of CEFR level B1 in writing, reading, listening and speaking.
3. Maintenance Fund (10 Points)
To prove that you have adequate funds to support your living expenses in the UK, maintain at least £3,310 for 3 months and £1,890 for every dependent for 3 months. These funds should be kept in a regulated bank before submitting the application for Tier 1 Entrepreneur Visa.
2. What Documents Will I Need for Applying for an Entrepreneur Visa (Tier 1)?
Some important documents required for Tier 1 Entrepreneur Visa UK include:
- Current passport and/or other travel identification
- Passport photograph
- Evidence of availability of investment funds
- Evidence of adequate maintenance funds
- Proof of adequate English knowledge
- A business plan
- Tuberculosis test results, if you belong to countries in which the TB test is mandatory before travelling to the UK
- Criminal record certificate from any country in which you’ve stayed for at least 1 year in the last 10 years.
3. What Does Access to Investment Funds Mean Under the Entrepreneur Visa (Tier 1)?
To be eligible for an Entrepreneur Visa (Tier 1), you need access to investment funds of at least £200,000 or £50,000. Both these amounts have eligibility criteria of their own.
Access to these funds means that the amount should be held in one or more regulated financial institutions and you’re free to spend the same on your business in the UK. When filling the Tier 1 Entrepreneur Visa application form, you need to submit proof of this investment amount.
If you have invested £50,000 or £200,000 in a UK business in the 12 months prior to the visa application, you are eligible for a Tier 1 Entrepreneur Visa.
4. How Can I Apply for an Entrepreneur Visa (Tier 1)?
The first step is to fill and submit the Tier 1 Entrepreneur Visa application form online. There are visa application centres set up by the UK government in most major countries of the world. Visit the nearest UK visa application centre to get your photograph and fingerprint taken for the application. However, given the various eligibility criteria, the process might seem daunting. It is best to hire an experienced service provider, like Rapid Visas, who will take care of the entire process for you.
However, if you are a citizen of North Korea, you cannot apply for the visa online. Visit the British Embassy in Pyongyang to apply for the visa.
5. How Can I Extend the Entrepreneur Visa (Tier 1)?
Here’s what you need to ensure for Tier 1 Entrepreneur Visa extension:
- Check that you fulfill the Entrepreneur Visa (Tier 1) eligibility criteria
- Prove that you are a member of a partnership, employed as a director in a business, or self-employed for at least 3 months before applying for an extension
- You should be registered as self-employed or as a director of a business within 6 months of coming to the UK on a Tier 1 Entrepreneur Visa
- You should have created a minimum of 2 full-time jobs that existed for at least 12 months
- Apply for the extension before the expiry date of the visa.
6. Can My Family Members Accompany Me When I’m Approved for the Entrepreneur Visa (Tier 1)?
Dependant family members, such as children below 18 years, and your spouse can accompany you if you have a Tier 1 Entrepreneur Visa UK. The family members will need their own visas if they do not belong to the EEA or Switzerland.
The adult family also need to submit a criminal record certificate from any country in which they’ve lived for at least 12 months in the last 10 years. You also need to show additional maintenance funds for the dependants, as per the visa guidelines.
7. Can I Switch to Entrepreneur Visa (Tier 1)? What are the Criteria?
You can switch to Entrepreneur Visa (Tier 1) if you’re already in the UK under visa categories of:
- Tier 1 (Graduate Entrepreneur)
- Tier 1 (Investor)
- Tier 1 (General)
- Tier 2
- Highly Skilled Migrant Program
- Visitor working in the UK as a prospective entrepreneur
Visas from any other category require you to leave the UK and submit the application for Tier 1 Entrepreneur Visa from your home country. Also, make sure that you apply for the switch before your current visa expires.
8. How to Choose Between Tier 1 Entrepreneur Visa and Investor Visa?
As compared to Tier 1 Entrepreneur Visa, an Investor Visa has a significantly higher initial investment. For instance, while you can apply for a Tier 1 Entrepreneur Visa with a minimum investment of £200,000, the amount rising to £2 million for Tier 1 Investor Visa. However, the Investor Visa is a more straightforward and flexible option.
So, if you have £2 million to invest in the UK, the Investor Visa can be a good choice. You can consult Rapid Visas for Investor Visa and Tier 1 Entrepreneur Visa guidance to make an informed decision.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=”Additional FAQs” use_theme_fonts=”yes”][vc_tta_accordion][vc_tta_section title=”1. How Long Will It Take to Get the Entrepreneur Visa (Tier 1)? ” tab_id=”1″][vc_column_text]The time taken can vary from country to country. However, in most cases, you should receive a decision within 3 weeks. You’re allowed to apply for the visa 3 months before your date of travel to the UK.[/vc_column_text][/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”2. What are the Fees for the Entrepreneur Visa (Tier 1)?” tab_id=”2″][vc_column_text]Entrepreneur Visa (Tier 1) fees depend on the country where you’re applying for the visa, how you’re applying and what your situation is. For instance, if you’re applying by post or online, you need to pay £1,277 for yourself, as well as each dependant (if any). If you are applying in person, the fee comes down to £1,021 per person.[/vc_column_text][/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”3. How Long Can I Stay in the UK with the Entrepreneur Visa (Tier 1)?” tab_id=”3″][vc_column_text]If your Tier 1 Entrepreneur Visa for the UK is approved, you can stay in the UK for a maximum of 3 years and 4 months. You can then get the visa extended for up to 2 years. If you’re switching to this visa from another visa, you can get an extension of up to 3 years. After staying in the UK for 5 years, you can also apply for indefinite leave to remain in the country (settlement).[/vc_column_text][/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”4. Can I Work or Study in the UK with the Entrepreneur Visa (Tier 1)?” tab_id=”4″][vc_column_text]No, you cannot work anywhere else, apart from the business that you’ve set up, taken over, or joined. You can take part-time or full-time courses if you meet the employment criteria, i.e., you should have invested in a new or existing business as per the visa criteria.[/vc_column_text][/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”5. Does the Entrepreneur Visa (Tier 1) Make it Easier for Me to Apply for British Citizenship?” tab_id=”5″][vc_column_text]Yes, compared to other types of UK visa, the Tier 1 Entrepreneur Visa makes it easier for you to apply for British Citizenship. Just like many other UK visas, you can apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) after staying in the UK for 5 years.
However, you can also fast track your residency for 3 years, if the gross income of your business in 3 years is £5 million or more and you’ve created at least 10 jobs.[/vc_column_text][/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”6. How Well Do I Need to Know English to Apply for an Entrepreneur Visa (Tier 1)?” tab_id=”6″][vc_column_text]Tier 1 Entrepreneur Visa English requirement is one of the most important eligibility criteria. For this, you need to appear for an approved English language test with a minimum of CEFR level B1 in writing, reading, listening and speaking.
You can also prove your English knowledge if you have an English-taught academic qualification that is recognized by the UK NARIC and is equivalent to a bachelor’s or master’s degree or Ph.D. in the UK.[/vc_column_text][/vc_tta_section][/vc_tta_accordion][/vc_column][/vc_row]