Start-up visa
Overview
You can apply for a Start-up visa if:
- you want to set up a business in the UK
- you’re from outside the European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland
- you meet the other eligibility requirements
Getting endorsed
You must be endorsed by an authorised body that is either:
- a UK higher education institution
- a business organisation with a history of supporting UK entrepreneurs
You must be able to show that your business idea is:
- a new idea – you cannot join or invest in a business that is already trading
- innovative – you must have an original business idea which is different from anything else on the market
- viable, with potential for growth
Read the endorsing bodies list – you should only approach ones that are suitable for your business idea.
How long it takes to get a visa
The earliest you can apply is 3 months before you travel.
Example
You can apply from 16 March if you plan to travel on 15 June.
You should get a decision on your visa within 3 weeks.
You can check the guide processing times to find out how long getting a visa might take in your country.
Fees
How much you pay for a Start-up visa depends on your situation and where you apply from.
| Who you’re applying for | Apply (outside the UK) | Switch (in the UK) |
|---|---|---|
| Yourself | £363 | £493 |
| If you’re a citizen of Turkey or Macedonia | £308 | £438 |
| All dependants | £363 each person | £493 each person |
Healthcare surcharge
You’ll also have to pay the healthcare surcharge as part of your application. Check how much you’ll have to pay before you apply.
How long you can stay
You can stay in the UK for 2 years on a Start-up visa.
You cannot apply to extend this visa.
You may be able to switch to a Tier 1 (Entrepreneur) visa if you’ve:
- completed your second year on a Tier 1 (Graduate Entrepreneur) visa
- switched from a Tier 1 (Graduate Entrepreneur) visa to a Start-up visa for your second year
If your endorsement is withdrawn
Your visa may be cut short if your endorsement is withdrawn. If you want to stay longer, you must re-apply with a new endorsement before your current visa expires.
You can only stay for a total of 2 years even if you’re granted a new visa with a new endorsement.
What you can and cannot do
You can:
- bring family members with you
- switch to this visa from some other visa categories
- work in another job, as well as working for your business
You cannot:
- get public funds
- work as a doctor or dentist in training
- work as a professional sportsperson, for example a sports coach
- settle in the UK on this visa
Entrepreneur visa (Tier 1)
Overview
You can no longer apply for a Tier 1 (Entrepreneur) visa.
If you want to set up or run a business in the UK you might be able to apply for an Innovator visa or a Start-up visa.
If you already have a Tier 1 (Entrepreneur) visa
You can still apply:
- to settle in the UK (indefinite leave to remain)
- to extend your visa
- for family members to join you
Innovator visa
Overview
You can apply for an Innovator visa if:
- you want to set up or run a business in the UK
- you’re from outside the European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland
- you meet the other eligibility requirements
- your business or business idea has been endorsed by an approved body
You must have at least £50,000 in investment funds if you want to set up a new business. You do not need funds if your business is already established and has been endorsed for an earlier visa.
Getting endorsed
You must be able to show that your business idea is:
- a new idea – you cannot join or invest in a business that is already trading
- viable, with potential for growth
Read the endorsing bodies list – you should only approach ones that are suitable for your business idea.
How long it takes to get a visa
The earliest you can apply is 3 months before you travel.
Example You can apply from 16 March if you plan to travel on 15 June.
You should get a decision on your visa within 3 weeks.
You can check the guide processing times to find out how long getting a visa might take in your country.
Fees
How much you pay for an Innovator visa depends on your situation and where you apply from.
| Who you’re applying for | Apply (outside the UK) | Extend or switch (in the UK) |
|---|---|---|
| You | £1,021 | £1,277 |
| You (if you’re from Turkey or Macedonia) | £966 | £1,222 |
| All dependants | £1,021 each person | £1,277 each person |
Healthcare surcharge
You’ll also have to pay the healthcare surcharge as part of your application. Check how much you’ll have to pay before you apply.
If you’re applying to extend or switch in the UK
You’ll need to pay £19.20 to have your biometric information (fingerprints and a photo) taken.
How long you can stay
You can stay for 3 years if you:
- come to the UK on an Innovator visa
- switch to this visa from another visa
You can apply to extend for another 3 years when your visa is due to expire. There’s no limit on the number of times you can extend.
You may be able to apply for settlement (known as ‘indefinite leave to remain’) once you’ve been in the UK for 5 years.
If your endorsement is withdrawn
Your visa may be cut short if your endorsement is withdrawn. If you want to stay longer, you must re-apply with a new endorsement before your current visa expires.
What you can and cannot do
You can:
- set up a business or several businesses
- work for your business – this includes being employed as a director, or self-employed as a member of a business partnership
- bring family members with you
You cannot:
- do any work outside your business, for example work where you’re employed by another business
- work as a doctor or dentist in training
- work as a professional sportsperson, for example a sports coach
- get public funds