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Tier 1 Entrepreneur Visa Alternatives to the Start-up and Innovator visas

Being Expert UK visa Immigration regarding different types of visa is highly advisable to know what visa category fits your scenario which one suit on profile. To that end, getting informed beforehand can be helpful.

If you’ve been uncertain knowledge about tier 1 entrepreneur visa is the right option for you, you should know that there are two other alternatives worth considering that have plenty in common – we’re talking about the start-up visa and entrepreneur visa.

Tier 1 Entrepreneur Immigration & Visa :

This visa category is created especially if you want to apply for immigration in the UK, granted that you have made a considerable investment there, or you started a UK based business. Another condition you need to address is that you must have £200,000 you can use to invest in purchasing a new business or a business that is already established. Another requirement is employing two full-time staff members. Please note – The Home Office have now closed the Tier 1 Entrepreneur visa route. Read below for the replacement version called Innovator and Startup visa.

 You will get these points if you can prove that you have access to investment funds and if the funds are available in the UK. At the same time, other requirements are related to your English-speaking skills and your financial capability of supporting yourself in the UK.

Introducing the best Innovator Visa :

Namely the innovator visa. Before you can apply, your business or your business idea must be assessed in advance by an approved body. Once you get that, you will be granted an endorsement letter. That will happen only in the case the business or the business idea is considered viable.

Regarding other requirements you ought to address, you must present English speaking skills, just as in the case of the Tier 1 Entrepreneur visa. Aside from this, you need to demonstrate your financial capability of supporting yourself when you are in the UK – just as it is the case with the first visa.

Furthermore, you should have at your disposal a specific sum of money available in the form of investment funds – £50,000. The good thing is that your funding can be sourced from anywhere. In the case in which your business has already been established, then you don’t need any investment funds at your disposal.

An alternative worth noting would be that you have the option of creating a team with other Innovator applicants. Nevertheless, note that the law doesn’t allow you to share the same investment funds. Each applicant in your team must have at least £50,000. In case you have two Innovator applicants, then you must have £100,000 at your disposal for investing.

Introducing Start-up Visa for Entrepreneur : 

Moreover, the start-up visa is worthy of your attention as well if you’re thinking of setting up a business in the UK. This visa is suitable for applicants outside the European Economic Area and Switzerland, just as it is the case for the Innovator Visa.

Once again, you have to get endorsed before having your application accepted. Basically, an authorized body is responsible for endorsing applicants, and this could either be a business organization that has a history of supporting UK entrepreneurs, or a UK higher education institution.

Concerning the eligibility criteria for this visa category, an approved body must review your business plans. The next step is getting an endorsement letter, in case the business idea is considered viable. There are also specific requirements regarding your English-speaking skills and your financial capability of supporting yourself when you are in the UK. That is to say, you must demonstrate that you have sufficient savings in this respect.

In order to apply for the start-up visa, you need to follow all the steps online. It is also part of the application process to have your photograph and fingerprints taken at a visa application center. Depending on the country you’re from, you may obtain your visa sooner, but it’s best to check this with your application center just to be sure.

You may also switch to this visa if you are already in the UK under the following visas: any Tier 2 visa, Tier 1 and Tier 4 Visa, or the standard visitor visa.

Conclusion Immigration Visa :

All in all, Bridgeway Solicitors hope that this article has served as an informative introduction to this comprehensive topic. It goes without saying that navigating this subject can be confusing, especially if it’s the first time you’re considering to apply for a visa in the UK. That’s why we’re here to help.

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UK Visa & Immigration Rules – Statement of Changes 2018-19 – Tier 1, Tier 2

The British Government has published a statement of changes in the UK Visa &  Immigration Rules HC309, which will come into force between 28th December 2017. We provide a brief overview of the most significant changes in the UK Visa & Immigration policy.

One of the main changes is within the application for Indefinite Leave to Remain for PBS migrants. Previously, only the main applicants had to meet a requirement of no more than 180-day absence in the UK. This means that family members must spend less than 180 days outside the UK during their 5 years qualifying period. This assuredly will cause problems for dependants who previously benefited from non-restrictive travel within the qualification period.

Migrants under the Tier 2 visa are no longer required to approval to be continuously employed during their qualifying period in order to be eligible for settlement. If previously the allowed period of employment was no more than 60 days, now breaks will not have any impact on the application.

Tier 1 (Exceptional Talent):-

The following changes were brought to the Tier 1 (Exceptional Talent) category:

The number of Tier 1 visas doubled from 1,000 to 2,000. These places will create a pool of potential applicants and will be drawn to the need on a     first-come-first-served basis in addition to the existing 1000 places held by a Designated Competent Body.

Applicants who hold high academic posts or holding scientific grants will be guaranteed Tier 1 (Excellent Talent) visas.

Finally, the qualifying period for Indefinite Leave to Remain for Exceptional Talent visa holders was lowered to three years.

Tier 1 (Entrepreneur) Changes:-

Requirements for Tier 1 (Entrepreneur) had minor changes to make them clearer and easier to follow.

Restrictions for the applicant to rely on investments and funds already relied on by another Tier 1 (Entrepreneur) holder or that migrant’s business or close family member in order to avoid the recycling of funds between visa seekers.

Visa holders who were granted their Tier 1 visa prior to 6th November 2014 and invested 25% in the residential property purchase, in order to extend their visas, must present evidential documents that property is for their continuous residence. Please note if there is more than one owner, only the part-owned by the applicant will be considered.

Changes in Tier 4 Visas:-

Some categories of part-time students will be able to secure Tier 4 visas. However, it should be noted that under proposed provisions, part-time students will not have any work rights and neither will be able to bring their dependents to the United Kingdom.     Additionally, Tier 4 part-time visa holders will not have an opportunity to extend their leave inside the country.

Recipients of supernumerary research Awards and     Fellowships as well as established research team members who are sponsored by a Higher Education Institution or a Research Council will be exempted from the Resident Labour Market Test.

Transit visa & Immigration Policy Changes:-

Visitors who hold a standard or marriage/civil partnership visit visas will be exempt from the need to obtain a separate transit visa.

Conclusion:-

The government is trialing a new system of issuing entry clearance in electronic format. It will give an opportunity to issue an entry clearance in an electronic form as well as a standard endorsement in a valid passport.

 Contact Bridgeway solicitors if you need any help with UK Visas and Immigration.