Tier 1 - Entrepreneur Visa

The Tier 1 Entrepreneur visa has replaced the old Business person visa and is part of the Tier 1 point based system. This scheme is to encourage business entrepreneurs to settle and operate businesses in the UK. To apply for an Entrepreneur visa, you must be able to prove that you have access to at least £200,000 which is held in one or more regulated financial institutions and the money must be disposable in the UK. Over and above this you will have to prove efficiency in the English language and must have savings for the maintenance funds requirement.

Once in the UK on this visa within 3 months you must satisfy the following criteria:

• An investment of at least £200,000 in cash directly into one or more businesses in the UK;
• Registered with HM Revenue and Customs as self-employed, or registered a new business in which you are a director, or registered as a director of an existing business;
• Has created the equivalent of at least two new full time jobs for individuals settled in the UK.

The initial visa is granted for three years and thereafter extended for a further two years, provided you have satisfied the above criteria and rules relating to investment activities.

If the application under Tier 1 Entrepreneur is successful, the applicant is then allowed to bring dependants (children under 18 years of age, spouse, civil partner, or unmarried or same-sex partner) with them to the United Kingdom, for as long as they are given entry clearance in the UK.

This route ends in a settlement in the UK.

For more information on the Tier 1 - Entrepeneur visa please call us on 0203 291 2711 or complete the form at the bottom of this page.

Our other UK Points Based System programme visas: