Overview:
You can apply for a Start-up visa if:
- You are planning on starting a business in the UK
- You are NOT from the EEA (European Economic Area) and Switzerland.
- You meet specific eligibility requirements.
Endorsement:
You need to be endorsed by an authorized body that is either:
- a UK higher education institution
- a business organization with a history of supporting UK entrepreneurs
You must be able to show that your business idea is:
- New – a business that is not already trading
- Innovative – original business idea that is different from anything that is already on the market
- Viable, and has a growth potential
How long does it take to get the Visa:
The earliest you can apply before travelling is 3 months.
Fees:
You pay for a Start-up visa depending on your situation and where you apply.
| Who you are applying for | Apply (outside the UK) | Switch (in the UK) |
| Yourself | £363 | £493 |
| If you are a citizen of Turkey or Macedonia | £308 | £438 |
| All dependents | £363 each person | £493 each person |
You will also need to pay for the healthcare surcharge as a part of your application.
Length of your stay:
You can stay in the UK for 2 years on a Start-up visa and you can NOT apply for Visa extension.
You may be eligible to apply for a switch to a Tier (Entrepreneur Visa) if:
- you have completed your second year on a Tier 1 (Graduate Entrepreneur) visa
- you have switched from a Tier 1 (Graduate Entrepreneur) visa to a Start-up visa for your second year
What you can and cannot do:
You can:
- Bring family members
- Switch to another category visa
- Work in another job, while still working for your business
You cannot:
- Get public funds
- Work as a dentist or doctor in training
- Work as a professional sportsperson (Exp. Coach)
- Settle in the UK on this visa
Eligibility Requirements:
First, you need your business or business idea to be assessed by an approved body. If your business is Viable, they will provide you with an endorsement.
Other requirements:
- be at least 18 years old
- meet the English Language Requirement (B2 in reading, writing, speaking and listening)
- be able to prove that you have enough personal savings to support yourself while you are in the UK (you have at least £945 in your bank account for 90 consecutive days before you apply)
Documents needed:
When applying for the visa, you need to provide:
- an endorsement letter from an authorized body
- a current passport or other valid travel identification
- bank statements showing you have had at least £945 in savings in your bank account for 90 consecutive days before you apply
- tuberculosis test result (in case you are from a country where you must take the test)
- proof of knowledge of the English language
- a certified translation of any documents that are not in English or Welsh.
How to apply:
The application for a Start-up visa happens online.
You will need to:
- have your fingerprints and photograph taken at a visa application center
- get a biometric residence permit that you will need to collect within 10 days of when you said you would arrive in the UK
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