Tier 1 (General) visa

OVERVIEW

The Tier 1 Entrepreneur Visa is for those people who want to apply for immigration to the UK on the provision of a substantial investment or by starting or gaining control of UK based business. £200,000 is a requirement for this visa, either for a new business or buy a business with auxiliary staff which will make you eligible after 3 years for a Tier 1 Entrepreneur extension then ILR.

Eligibility for tier 1 entrepreneur applications

The Tier 1 Entrepreneur visa requires all applicants to fulfil 95 points score under all other requirements of the Immigration Rules.

Criteria of 95 Points:

A right of entry to investment funds 25 points

You have access to not less than £200,000
or
You have access minimum £50,000 from:
one or more registered venture capital firms authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority.
One or more UK entrepreneurial seed funding competitions have to be listed as endorsed on the UK Trade and Investment website, or
One or more UK government departments, or any other where funds made available.

English language Requirement 10 points

You can speak English to the required standard – You will require either a qualification or evidence from NARIC that your overseas degree was taught in English and at least, equivalent to a UK Bachelor degree.

Funds Regulation 25 Points

These funds are held in one or more regulated financial institutions
where you can get or use freely at any time.

Maintenance 10 Points

You must have enough funds to support yourself while you are in the UK. If you have these funds for 90 days then you can claim 10 points as a maintenance fund.

How to apply the Application

You have to apply before your visa expires.

1. You must meet the eligibility criteria.
2. Registered as a director or as self-employed no more than 6 Months after the date you were given permission to stay in the UK under a Tier 1 (Entrepreneur) visa
3. That you can prove you’ve been self-employed, a member of a partnership or working as a director of a business 3 Months before you apply
4. That you have created at least 2 full-time jobs for at least 12 Months

In any UK business, you have to invest

• £200,000 in cash
• £50,000 must be in cash if your first application was based on having funds from an approved funding source.

You may include any dependant on your current visa on your application to extend – including children who have turned 18 during your stay.

Can I bring my family to the UK?

Yes, your dependents can come to the UK to work and live with you. Your dependents will be granted a PBS dependent visa enabling your spouse to work and your children to attend school in the UK just by ensuring that you have the correct maintenance fees for a reach of your family members and that this money is held in your account for at least 90 Days.

Can I change the status of my visa for any other category?

Of Course yes, you can switch your visa provided that you leave the UK to apply in the different category.

Am I allowed to work for another company with a Tier 1 Entrepreneur visa?

No, you are not allowed to work for any other company, but your spouse can work for a different company.

Tier 1 Visa Categories

The Entrepreneur Tier 1 Visa category is best for those candidates who want to apply for immigration to the UK on the grounds that they have a substantial investment or start a new business or get control of it.

Under Tier 1 Entrepreneur visa, you will need to have funds available of £200,000 to invest in a new business or buy a business in the UK.

You will also have to employ 2 full-time people. If you meet the Requirements for 3 Years you can apply for extension followed by indefinite leave to remain after you have completed a full 5 years.

Tier 1 Exceptional Talent Visa

This Tier 1 Visa route is for meant for the genius people who are internationally recognized as world leaders or potential world-leading talent in the fields of science, the arts and who want to work under this visa. Applicants must be internationally recognized as world leaders in their field and be chosen by one of the designated bodies set out by the UK Government for exceptional applicants.