UK Start-up Visa

The UK Start-up visa is for individuals who are new entrepreneurs and want to establish a business in the UK for the first time. You do not need to be a graduate or have secured any initial funding. However, you will need to have an innovative, viable and scalable business idea which has been approved by an endorsing body.

Start-up visas are one-off visas, valid for 2 years and the category does not lead directly to settlement in the UK. However, UK Start-up visa holders may extend their stay in the Innovator visa category and qualify for ILR three years later. UK Start-up visa applicants can bring their partner and any children under the age of 18 to the UK.

Requirements for a UK Start-up visa

In order to qualify for a UK Start-up visa you will need to satisfy UK Visas and Immigration that:

You are at least 18 years old
You have not previously established a business in the UK (unless you previously held leave as a Tier 1 Graduate Entrepreneur)
You have been endorsed by an approved UK endorsing body that has assessed your business idea for innovation, viability and scalability and is satisfied that you will spend the majority of your working time in the UK on developing your business venture
Your endorsement letter was issued not more than 3 months before the date of your Start-up visa application
You genuinely intend to undertake, and are capable of undertaking, any work or business activity in the UK stated in your application
You are competent in the English language to at least CEFR Level B2 (equivalent to IELTS 5.5 in reading, writing, listening and speaking)
If you are outside the UK or have been in the UK for less than 12 months then you have at least £1270 to support yourself, plus £285 for a dependent partner, £315 for a first child and £200 for each additional child.

Investment funds requirement for a UK Start-up visa

UK Start-up visa applicants do not need any funds to invest in their business. However, the requirement to have a ‘viable’ and ‘scalable’ business idea means that, in practice, you may need to have funds available to invest. Some endorsing bodies require a certain level of funding as a condition of endorsement.

Endorsement criteria for a UK Start-up visa

In order for your business proposal to be endorsed, an approved endorsing body will need to be satisfied that your business idea meets all of the following criteria:

Innovation: You have a genuine, original business plan that meets new or existing market needs and/or creates a competitive advantage
Viability: You have, or are actively developing, the necessary skills, knowledge, experience and market awareness to successfully run the business
Scalability: Your business plan has potential for job creation and growth into national markets.

The endorsing body will also need to be satisfied that you will spend the majority of your working time in the UK on developing business ventures.
If your application to be endorsed by a UK Start-up visa endorsing body is approved, you will be issued with a UK Start-up visa endorsement letter. This letter must be submitted as part of your Start-up visa application. The Immigration Rules contain strict requirements in terms of the information that must be included in a Start-up visa endorsement letter. Advice from an immigration lawyer will ensure that your endorsement letter satisfies the requirements of the rules.