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VISAS FOR STARTUPS
The start-up visa is for aspiring entrepreneurs who want to start their business in the UK. You don’t need a college degree or seed funding, but your business idea needs to be innovative, viable and scalable to get approved by the authority.
The start-up visa is temporary and valid for two years, and does not entitle you to apply for settlement in the UK. But start-up visa holders can extend their stay in the UK by applying for an Innovator visa and becoming eligible for ILR after three years. Startup visa applicants can bring their partner and any children under the age of 18 to the UK.
VISA REQUIREMENTS FOR STARTUPS
Аpproval
To receive approval of your business proposal, the authorized body must ensure that your business meets the following criteria:
Finances
Applicants applying for a starter visa 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 funding may be required. Some approving bodies require a certain level of funding as a condition of approval.
In order to apply, you need to have at least £270 in your bank account to cover yourself for 28 consecutive days. If you want to apply with dependent family members, you must demonstrate that you have sufficient funds to support them.
English language requirements
Usually, to obtain a starter visa, you need to take an English language test (Secure English Language Test, SELT) from an approved provider. However, nationals of some English-speaking countries and those who have obtained a qualification equivalent to a British degree and taught it in English in one of these countries do not need to prove their knowledge of the English language.
Submitting an application for a visa for a start-up entrepreneur as part of a team
You don’t have to be the sole founder of your business and you can be a member of a startup team. This allows you to share your business idea and plan with other members of the startup entrepreneur team. However, each applicant must obtain separate approval from the approved authority.
