UK Business Visas
Several classes of UK business visa are available which provide permanent immigration services for the UK. The entrepreneur visa, the investor visa and the innovator visa are all UK business visas which focus upon an applicant’s ability to bring business skills and experience as well as investment to the UK. The UK business visit visa in not included in this group as it does not permit its holder to work in the UK and does not provide a route to permanent residency.
With Global Visas you can get your UK business visa application underway now. Simply complete one of our quick and easy visa assessment forms and a UK immigration consultant will contact you.
UK Entrepreneur Visa
The UK entrepreneur visa class allows a non EEA national to immigrate to the UK in order to set up a business. The applicant must be employed within the business venture in a managerial role and in addition, the Entrepreneur visa class requires an investment of at least £200,000. The entrepreneur visa is designed to allow people to permanently relocate to the UK and in the first instance will be granted for a period of 2 years. After this period, if the conditions of the visa continue to be met the visa may be extended by three years. After five years of living and working in the UK a candidate can apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain in the UK (ILR)
An entrepreneur visa application focuses upon an applicant’s business skills and experience and unlike the Highly Skilled Migrant Programme or HSMP; the entrepreneur visa does not require candidates to undergo a points based assessment. A candidate must be able to construct a business plan which shows that the proposed business venture will create at least two positions of employment for EEA nationals, and in addition, the business plan must demonstrate the viability of the business and confirm that the applicant has enough money to support him or herself and any dependents whilst in the UK.
UK Investor Visa
UK investor visas are also designed as a direct route to permanent residency and like the entrepreneur visa they do not require candidates to undergo a points based assessment. The key requirement of this UK immigration service is a significant investment in the UK economy. However, unlike the entrepreneur visa an applicant does not need to be directly involved in running a business.
An investor visa applicant must invest at least £1 million in the UK, £750,000 of which must be invested in private companies or unit trusts. The rest of the money may be invested as the candidate sees fit. Investor visas are issued for an initial period of 12 months with the option to extend the visa for another three years if the candidates’ investment still exceeds £1 million. After four years a candidate may apply for ILR, and ultimately UK citizenship.
It is important to note that unlike other UK business and work visas, the investor visa does not permit the holder to work in the UK beyond managing their portfolio of investments.
UK Innovator Visa
The UK Innovator visa or UK Immigration for Innovators programme is issued to those non-EEA nationals who can bring a genuine innovation to the UK. This visa service does not require an investment to be made and instead focuses upon a candidates ability to bring new technologies to the UK.
Applicants must be able to financially support themselves in the UK and must be able to show that they have sufficient financial capability to develop and implement their innovation. The innovator visa is the only category in the group generally known as “UK business visas” to employ a points system which assesses candidates on their personal characteristics, their economic value to Britain and a detailed business plan.
Personal Characteristics
This category is worth 15 points and examines the applicant’s management experience and qualifications and any research conducted into the area in question. Experience of starting a business will be worth extra points as will any experience of working in Britain.
Economic Benefit to Britain
This category is worth a maximum of 30 points and looks at the applicants’ ability to create jobs in the UK and more specifically to employ science and technology graduates. Crucially, this section awards points for the candidates ability to introduce a new technology to the UK. Extra points are awarded for investment and research into the innovation and further points are awarded for primarily internet based businesses.
Business Plan
A candidate’s business plan can be worth up to 15 points and is imperative to an innovator visa application. Business plans must set out the development of the candidate’s activities in the UK for 18 months or more and must examine the following key areas:
- What makes the proposal innovative.
- The legal and management structure of the business.
- Opportunities for creating employment.
- A full assessment of the financial position of the business and a risk assessment.
Initially, an innovator visa is granted for 18 months, however this may be extended by another four years if the requirements of the visa continue to be satisfied. To obtain a visa extension a candidate’s venture must have created two or more jobs for UK citizens or permanent residents and the applicant must hold a 5% stake. Beyond the extension an applicant may apply for permanent residency and ultimately UK citizenship.
Spouse and Dependent Immigration to the UK
The UK business visas discussed here are all potential paths to permanent immigration to the UK. With this in mind, provision is made for the spouse or partner and any dependent children of the applicant to migrate to the UK with them . Any dependent will be granted the same duration of leave as the main applicant and may work in the UK.
Visit the online assessment area now to find out whether you qualify for a UK business visa and to begin your application.
