Start-up Visa

The UK Start Up Visa opened to new applications on 29th March 2019. Aimed at aspiring and ambitious non-EEA national entrepreneurs looking to set up business in the UK, the new route will see applicants and their business ideas vetted by an approved industry body against set criteria, with no requirement to have initial capital investment.

An applicant can apply for a Start up visa if:

• they want to set up a business in the UK
• are from outside the European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland
• meet the other eligibility requirements

Getting endorsed

An applicant must be endorsed by an authorised body that is either:

• a UK higher education institution
• a business organisation with a history of supporting UK entrepreneurs

Start up Visa Eligibility

Before applying, an applicant would need to have their business or business idea assessed by an approved body who will provide them with an endorsement letter if their business is viable.

An applicant must also:

• be at least 18 years old
• meet the English language requirement
• be able to prove that they have enough personal savings to support themselves while they are in the UK. An applicant will need to have had at least £945 in their bank account for 90 consecutive days before they apply.

Length of stay

An applicant can stay in the UK for 2 years on a Start-up visa and they cannot apply to extend this visa.

Dependants

The UK Government allows dependents to join the main applicant in the United Kingdom. A dependent is categorized as wife, husband, civil partner, same-sex partner, unmarried partner or a child under the age of 18 years.

Additional Services

We can also assist with the endorsement process, if needed. Longer term, our goal is to provide you with the full range of commercial law support and connect you with our exceptional network of business contacts to help you get established faster. You get a business partner rather than simply a form-filler.

Contact our Immigration Lawyers in London

For further information, please contact our Immigration lawyers in London – click here or call us on +44(0) 20 3318 5794. Our team of Start-up visa lawyers assist eligible people to apply for UK Start-up visas.