United Kingdom Business Establishment Visa

People wanting to start a business in the UK fall into two categories; innovators and start-ups.
Each has its own visa.

Contact IBN Immigration Solutions, and we’ll assign a specialist in UK business establishment visas to oversee your case.
Your immigration specialist will take you through the application process step-by-step, so you never have to wonder what comes next or when fees are due.

There are two types of UK business establishment visas.

1. Innovator visa

2. Start-up visa

After a consultation, during which your UK immigration visa consultant will determine your needs, they will help you work out which type suits your situation.

Innovator visa

The innovator visa allows you to come to the UK to establish an innovative business with a product or service that is different from anything on the market.

United Kingdom Innovator Visa Requirements, Forms & Documents

Qualifying requirements

Your innovative idea must meet some requirements if you want to apply for an innovator visa.

• It must be unique, unlike anything else on the market
• It must have been endorsed by an approved body
• You must start a new company. You can’t work for an already trading company
• Your business idea must have the potential for growth
• You must have good knowledge of the English language

Required forms and documents

• Endorsement letter
• A valid passport or other documents to prove your identity
• Bank statements showing you had at least £1,270 in savings in your bank account for 28 consecutive days before applying
• Proof that you meet the English language requirement
• Proof of your investment funds
• Tuberculosis test results if you are from a high-risk country

Note: If your documents are not in English or Welsh, you must include certified translations.

How long can you stay in the UK?

You can stay in the UK for three years, regardless of whether you come on an innovator visa or switch to an innovator visa while you’re in the UK.

You can apply for a three-year extension and continue to apply for three-year extensions for an unlimited time.
However, your visa can be revoked if the endorsing body withdraws its endorsement.

This is one of the pathways that enable you to permanently emigrate to the UK.

How to Apply for a United Kingdom Innovator Visa

Innovator visa applications are submitted online.
The exact process may vary due to your location.

You can apply for an innovator visa while outside of the UK, or you can switch from a different visa to an innovator visa whilst in the UK.
You can also extend your innovator visa while in the United Kingdom.

Start-up visa

Start-up visas are for those who want to start a business, especially an innovative business, in the UK.

United Kingdom Start-Up Visa Requirements, Forms & Documentation

Qualifying requirements

There are a few requirements your start-up must meet before you can apply for a visa.

• You want to set up an innovative new business in the UK
• You must be endorsed by a UK higher education institution or a business organisation with a history of supporting UK entrepreneurs
• You must be able to show that your business idea is for a new business
• You must be able to show that your business idea is innovative
• You must be able to show that your business idea is viable

Required forms and documents

• Endorsement letter
• A valid passport or other documents to prove your identity
• Bank statements that show you had at least £1,270 in savings in your bank account for 28 consecutive days before applying
• Proof that you meet the English language requirement
• Tuberculosis test results if you’re from a high-risk country
• If your documents are not in English or Welsh, you must also provide certified translations

How long can you stay in the UK?

You can stay in the UK for two years, regardless of whether you come on a start-up visa or switch to a start-up visa while in the UK.
You can’t extend a start-up visa, but you might be able to switch to an innovator visa if you’ve set up a business.

How to Apply for a United Kingdom Start-Up Visa

Start-up visa applications are submitted online. The precise application process depends on whether you are coming to the UK on a start-up visa or are switching to a start-up visa whilst being in the UK on a different visa.

You must apply for family and partner visas separately.

Note: Talk to your immigration consultant about your options if you want to permanently emigrate to the UK.

1. Immigration consultants will walk you through the application process, including obtaining the correct forms and compiling the documentation required.
2. Application packs are sent for an in-house quality check, after which you are ready to take the final step and submit the application online.

All of IBN Immigration Solutions’ consultants and specialists keep up to date with current immigration trends and patterns in all the countries in which we operate, including the UK.
As a result, you will get an accurate turnaround time. You will be kept abreast of any changes to the process that might affect your application for a UK business establishment visa.

The costs for the two types of UK business establishment visas vary, depending on where you are applying from, your country of origin or permanent residence, and whether you are going to submit additional applications, for example, the family and partner visa.

Your UK visa immigration consultant will review all the fees and expenses you can expect during the application process, including the amount of money required in your bank account and indirect costs, such as the fees for additional visas.