Start-up Visa

The Start-up visa enables entrepreneurial migrants to establish their first business in the UK. Before you can apply for this visa, you must first secure an endorsement from a Home Office approved endorsing body (accredited companies or UK higher education institutions), verifying that your business idea is innovative, viable and scalable.

A Start-up visa is granted for 2 years and cannot be extended. The Start-up visa does not lead to settlement / Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR). Many Start-up visa holders will, however, progress to apply for an Innovator visa to continue growing their business, which does provide a route to settlement / ILR in the UK.

We can advise you of the requirements for a Start-up visa and assist you in preparing your visa application. 

Innovator Visa

The Innovator visa replaces the Tier 1 (Entrepreneur) migrant visa and enables experienced entrepreneurs to establish or grow a business in the UK. Applicants must first apply for an endorsement from a Home Office-approved endorsing body, verifying that their business is innovative, viable and scalable. A minimum investment of £50,000 is also required in most cases. Innovator visa holders will be granted up to 3 years of leave and can set up businesses and work either as an employed director or in a self-employed capacity in the UK.

Your partner and children may apply to join you in the UK as dependants. Dependants may work and/or study with some limited restrictions.

If you are already in the UK on a long-term visa, you may be eligible to apply to switch into the Innovator visa category.

Innovator visa holders may apply for settlement/Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) after residing continuously in the UK for 3 years in this visa category. 

We can advise you of the requirements for an Innovator visa and assist you in preparing your visa application.