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Start-Up Visa
Start-up Visa
Are looking to setup a Business or have a Business Idea you would like to roll out in the UK?
Learn more about the Start-up Visa below, or contact Melanie today for further advice about applying for a Visa to setup your business in the UK.
If you also want help with your business plan or obtaining an endorsement, I also work closely with organisations that can assist with this to give you a great head start in obtaining your Start-up visa for the UK.
I specialise and have successfully handled many UK Visa and UK Settlement applications. My affordable service can help you to come to the UK as a start-up.
Call Melanie Now on 020 3302 6864 for a FREE initial chat or fill out the form on this page for further advice on your Start-up Visa Application.
Overview
This Visa is suitable for non EEA nationals intending to setup a business in the UK. Your business would also need to be endorsed by an an approved body
that is either:
- a UK higher education institution
- a business organisation with a history of supporting UK entrepreneurs
The current list for these can be found here.
Period of Stay Granted for Start-up Visa
The visa is granted for 2 years and cannot be extended, though you may be able to switch to another visa, such as the innovator visa if you meet the requirements for it.
Who is Eligible for this Visa?
You must be over 18 years old and before you can actually apply for the start-up visa, your business/business idea must be assessed by an approved body as mentioned above. If your business is viable, you will receive an endorsement letter from them.
Maintenance funds
Applicants will also need to demonstrate that they are able to maintain themselves in the UK without recourse to public funds. The minimum amount is £945 held in a bank account for 90 days prior to the date of application.
Evidence of sufficient English language
Entrepreneurs who wish to come to the UK to do business will be expected to meet a minimum level of proficiency in the English language. In order to demonstrate this proficiency, applicants will need to be able to do one of the following:
– Evidence that the applicant is a national of a recognised majority English speaking country.
– Evidence that the applicant holds a recognised academic qualification taught in English.
– Evidence that the applicant have passed an English language test by a recognised provider at the required level of B1 or above.
Switching from a different Visa
You can apply to switch to an Innovator Visa if you are already in the UK on one of the following visas:
- Tier 1 (Graduate Entrepreneur)
- any Tier 2 visa
- Tier 4 (Genereal) student visa
- Standard Visitor visa - if you came to the UK to get funding and had a supporting letter from an endorsing body
As mentioned earlier, the maximum length of stay for the start-up visa is 2 years, and note that, should you have previously been on a Tier 1 (Graduate Entrepreneur) visa and switch to the start-up visa, any time you already spent in the UK on that visa would be deducted from the 2 year period granted for the start-up visa.
How Much does the it Cost?
The Home Office fee
for the start-up visa is currently £363 for applications made outside the UK, and £493 for applications made inside the UK (where you are switching from an existing visa, as mentioned above).
Healthcare Surcharge
You will also have to pay the healthcare surcharge as part of your application. This is currently set at £400 per year of your visa term
Dependants
Your family members (spouse/partner and any children under 18) can come with you. The application fee (made outside the UK) for each dependant is the same as the start-up visa fee - £363. The healthcare surcharge must also be paid for each dependant, as mentioned above.
As well as your own maintenance funds, you must also have £630 available for each dependant in addition of the £945 required to support yourself.
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