TIER 1 ENTREPRENEUR

If you wish to set up or invest in a business in the UK and have access to £200,000 (or £50,000), you may qualify to live and work in the UK as a Tier 1 Entrepreneur.

You can also switch into the entrepreneur immigration category if you are already in the UK under Tier 1, 2 or 4 of the points-based system. Your family members may accompany you as your dependents

Initial applications: UK tier 1 entrepreneur visa

For an initial entrepreneur visa application to succeed, you will need to show that you have access to:

  • £200,000; or
  • £50,000 if it is provided by a registered venture capitalist firm, UK entrepreneurial seed funding competition or UK Government Department; or
  • £50,000 if you are currently in the UK as a Tier 1 Graduate Entrepreneur or as a Tier 1 Post Study Work migrant.

You will need to be competent in the English language to at least CEFR Level B1 (equivalent to IELTS 4.0 in reading, writing, listening and speaking) and have enough additional money to support yourself without relying on public funds.

As part of your Entrepreneur visa application you may be interviewed by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) and, if so, our immigration specialists can provide you with an in-depth Entrepreneur interview preparation session.

Extension applications:  UK tier 1 entrepreneur visa

In order to extend your stay as a Tier 1 Entrepreneur, you will need to show that:

  • You registered as a business director or as self-employed within 6 months of either entering the UK as a Tier 1 Entrepreneur or being granted leave to remain as a Tier 1 Entrepreneur; and
  • You have invested at least £200,000 or £50,000 (as appropriate) in a business or businesses in the UK; and

You have created at least two full-time jobs for persons settled in the UK and these jobs have existed for at least 12 months

Settlement in the UK: UK tier 1 entrepreneur visa

If you have invested in a new or existing UK business and your investment has created at least two new full-time jobs, you may apply for permanent residence in the UK after five years. You may qualify for accelerated permanent residence after 3 years if you create 10 new jobs or your business received at least £5 million in income from business activity.