Tier 1 Entrepreneur Visas

Under the Tier 1 Entrepreneur visa category, applicants can migrate to the UK on the basis of their plans to invest in a UK business. Applicants can either start up a new business, or take control of an established business.

Tier 1 Entrepreneur visas are issued based on the UK's Points Based System. Tier 1 Entrepreneur visa applicants will need to meet the points requirement. This is common with all Tier 1 visas.

Tier 1 visas differ from Tier 2, 3, 4, & 5 visas in that a Certificate of Sponsorship is not required. The Tier 1 Entrepreneur visa directly replaces the previous Business visa category.

English language ability

English Language proficiency must be demonstrated before any Tier 1 visa application can be approved, with the exception of Tier 1Investor visas. The pass mark for the English language requirement is 10 points. English language competence can be demonstrated through one of three ways.

You can sit an English exam, at a level of C1 as determined by the Council of Europe's Common European Framework for Language learning. The most common English test preferred by applicants is the IELTS test. You will need an overall mark of 6.5 if you decide to take the IELTS test. Level C1 is also equivalent the UK education system GCSE grade C.

The second path to achieving 10 points for English language competence is limited to nationals of a country with the primary language of English. If you are a national of such a country, you will receive 10 points automatically.

The final path to scoring 10 points for English language skills is through a degree taught in English. This degree can be at any level. If you want to earn 10 points for your English language skills based on your degree being taught in English, you can confirm your qualification is eligible with NARIC.

Maintenance

Tier 1 Entrepreneur visa applicants must meet a maintenance requirement before their visas can be approved. The maintenance requirement ensures that an applicant is able to accommodate themselves in the UK, and maintain themselves financially should they go without income for a short period of time in the UK. Tier 1 applicants must also show that they are able to support their dependants who wish to accompany them in the UK.

Like the English Language requirement, you must score 10 points in this section in order for an application to be approved.

The main applicant must evidence £2,800 of savings at their disposal; for the first dependant the required amount is £1,600. Any dependants thereafter require an additional £1,600 each.

Funds

The essential requirements for an applicant under this category are substantial funds devoted for investment in the UK, and evidence that the applicant will be assuming control of a UK business. 75 points must be achieved for a successful application. Points will be awarded as follows:

• The applicant must have access to the equivalent of £200,000. 25 points are awarded for this requirement.
• The applicant must hold the funds that will be used for business investment in a regulated bank account. A further 25 points are available for this requirement.
• Finally, the funds need to be disposable in the United Kingdom. A final 25 points are available for this requirement.

Candidates applying for a Tier 1 Entrepreneur visa will not have permission to take employment in the UK. A Tier 1 Entrepreneur visa is only appropriate if you want to take control of an existing UK business, or start up a new UK business. You can also join an established UK business as a parter.

If you wish to take salaried employment in the UK, a Tier 1 General visa will be suitable instead.

Tier 1 visa extension

Your initial Tier 1 Entrepreneur visa will be approved for three years. Near the end of the initial three year period, you will be able to apply for a two year extension, bringing your total time in the UK on a Tier 1 Entrepreneur visa to five years.

At the end of five years in total, you will be able to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain, which will allow you to remain in the UK without any time limits or restrictions.

To be eligible for an extension, you will need to meet criteria that differs from the initial criteria required for the first approval.

You need to show that the £200,000 that was available when you first applied for a Tier 1 Entrepreneur has been invested in a UK business. You will also need to show that you have registered with HMRC for tax purposes, within three months of arriving to the the UK. You must be registered with them as a self-employed individual. You must also be registered as a director of the UK business with Companies House.

Finally, you must be actively engaged in business activity at the time of your extension.

Neither the English language competence requirement nor the Maintenance requirment will be tested at the time of extension.

Employment requirements

At the time of appying for an extension of your Tier 1 Entrepreneur visa, you will need to show that you have created the equivalent of 2 full time positions for employees in the UK. The employees must be settled in the UK, that is, they must either have Indefinite Leave to Remain, or be UK citizens. Finally, the employees in these positions must have filled these positions for at least one year.

Switching

You may switch into a Tier 1 Entrepreneur visa, if you meet the requirements. You may also switch out of the Tier 1 Entrepreneur visa status into another status, if you meet the requirements for the visa you wish to switch to.