UK Work Visas

Tier 1 (Entrepreneur) Migrant Visa

To be eligible for Tier 1 (Entrepreneur) Visa, Applicants must have access to

  • £50,000 through a registered venture capitalist firm, UK entrepreneurial seed funding competition or UK Government Department; or
  • £200,000.

Interested applicants must genuinely intend to invest the apt amount mentioned above in the UK by virtue of setting up or taking over a business in the UK and, actively engaged in running the business.

To be eligible for entry clearance or Leave to Remain, applicants must score 95 points under the Points Based System as follows:

  • 75 points for attributes contingent on whether an initial or extension application is being submitted;
  • 10 points for English language to at least CEFR Level B1 (equivalent to IELTS 4.0 in reading, writing, listening and speaking);
  • 10 points for available maintenance funds without recourse to public funds.

Applicants can rely on third party funds but must demonstrate that the funds are disposable in the UK for them to invest and, funds must be kept in a regulated financial institution.

As part of the application process, it must be shown that applicants have a viable business plan. In the event that the UK Visas and Immigration decide to interview them, they can provide correct account of their business plans.

Here at Paradise Law Solicitors, we can provide bespoke advice concerning potential interview and how to prepare towards such eventuality.

It must be noted that switching under the Points Based System is feasible save those applicants in the UK as Tier 1 Post Study Work, albeit, applicants under Tier 1 Post Study Work who commenced business prior to 11th July 2014, in an occupation skilled to national Qualification Famework level 4 or over can continue to do their business.

Extension of Stay as Tier 1 Entrepreneur

To be eligible for extension applicants must demonstrate that they are already in the UK under Tier 1 Entrepreneur Visa and meet the following criteria:

  • Applicants must be able to show that entry clearance or Leave to Remain was granted as Tier 1 Entrepreneur and must have been registered as directors or self-employed persons within six months of arriving in the UK or if in the UK within six months of being granted Leave to Remain;
  • Applicants must demonstrate that they have invested at least £50,000 or 200,000 as apt in the UK; and
  • Applicants must show that they have been able to create a full time employment work for two settled persons in the UK and the employment has lasted for at least one year from the date of commencement. Applicants must show that the business in question is a viable one and they are actively engaged in running the business.

Indefinite Leave to Remain as Tier 1 Entrepreneur

Indefinite Leave to Remain can be applied for if applicants are able to demonstrate that they are running a viable business, and have been able to create at least two new full time employment that has lasted for twelfth months following five years of Leave to Remain. Since 6th April 2011 Tier 1 (Entrepreneurs) Migrants can apply under the provisions for accelerated settlement. Applicants may apply under the accelerated settlement if they have been able to create new employment for ten settled persons or the business has generated at least £5 million income.

Applicants must also be in possession of CEFR level B1 of the English language and life in the UK.

Applicants must not spend more than six months outside the UK per year for the purpose of qualifying for Permanent Residence.

Why Use Paradise Law Solicitors for Tier 1 Entrepreneur Visa

Immigration lawyers at Paradise Law Solicitors are experts in dealing with Tier 1 Entrepreneur visa, from initial application to Indefinite Leave to Remain or appeal. We are fast efficient and trusting in dealing with all areas of Tier 1 (Entrepreneur) visa or appeal. Kindly contact our immigration experts on 0121 285 2535 or 07940 077 805 or email legal@paradiselawsolicitors.co.uk for bespoke advice.

Tier 1 (Graduate Entrepreneur)

The Tier 1 (Graduate Entrepreneur) category is for applicants who have been recognised by the UK Higher Institutions or the Department for International Trade as having cutting edge innovative and entrepreneurial skills a credible business idea and entrepreneurial skills.

What are the main eligibility requirements?

In order to be eligible for a Tier 1 (Graduate Entrepreneur) visa, applicants will need to satisfy UK Visas and Immigration that they have a degree, either from the UK or from an overseas education institution which has been confirmed as equivalent to a UK degree by UK NARIC.

Applicants will need to request an endorsement directly from a UK Higher Education Institution who has been approved by the UK Border Agency for the purposes of Tier 1 (Graduate Entrepreneur) category prior to making an application.

Applicants must use the original endorsement letter as part of their leave to remain application within 3 months from the date of issue. When issued with an endorsement, they will be under the supervision of the institution that endorsed them as long as they remain under this category.

The endorsement must confirm that they have a genuine and credible business idea and that they will spend the majority of their time on the business venture.

Applicants must be able to speak English to a required standard and support themselves in the UK without recourse to public funds.

Limits on Tier 1 (Graduate entrepreneur) Applications

The UK government has curtailed the number of applications that can be made under Tier 1 (Graduate Entrepreneur) category.

There is a limit of 2,000 places per year (running from 6 April 2013 to 5 April 2014).

The limit of 2,000 places will be allocated as follows:

  • 900 places will be allocated to qualifying Higher Education Institutions (HEI) for graduates in any subject, known as General endorsements;
  • 1,000 places will be allocated to qualifying Higher Education Institutions for MBA graduates, known as MBA endorsements; and
  • 100 places will be allocated to UKTI for overseas graduates, known as Global endorsements.

The Tier 1 (Graduate Entrepreneur) limit will not apply to extension applications where the applicant has, or last had, leave to remain as a Tier 1 (Graduate Entrepreneur).

You can switch into this category if you have, or last held, leave as a Tier 4 (General) Student or a Tier 2 (General) Migrant. Individuals in other categories will need to leave the UK and apply for Entry Clearance as a Tier 1 (Graduate Entrepreneur).

Applicants, who are successful in making Tier 1 (Graduate Entrepreneur) visa applications, will initially be granted leave for a period of 12 months, which can be extended for another 12 months.

Applicants are able to switch into the Tier 1 (Entrepreneur) category, if they have access to £50,000. The Tier 1 (Entrepreneur) category can lead to settlement in the UK.

Why Use Paradise Law Solicitors for Tier 1 Graduate Entrepreneur

The lawyers at Paradise Law Solicitors have the expertise in helping Tier 1 (Graduate Entrepreneurs) set up viable business in the UK. We can advise on different options and guide you through the convoluted policies of the Home Office.

Kindly contact our immigration experts on 0121 285 2535 or 07940 077 805 or email legal@paradiselawsolicitors.co.uk for bespoke advice.

Tier 1 Investor Visa

Application under the Tier 1 Investor route can be made with available funds over £2 million. Applicants can also switch into the investor category if they are already in the UK.

Criteria for applying under the Tier 1 investor Visa

For an application to succeed under this route, the following criteria must be met:

  • Applicant must have funds under his control or jointly in the sum of £2 million and above;
  • The funds must be held in a regulated financial institution, such as a bank, asset management firm or stock brokerage and
  • The money is disposable in the UK; and
  • You have opened an account with a UK regulated bank for the purpose of investing not less than £2 million in the UK.

If your investment funds have been held for a consecutive 90-day period prior to the date of application, then you will not be required to prove the source of funds. However, you will need to demonstrate that the funds are genuinely yours, that you are free to invest them and that they have been acquired lawfully.

If your investment funds have not been held for a consecutive 90-day period prior to the date of application, then you will need to prove the source of the funds. For example, the source of funds could be a gift, a sale of property, a will, a divorce settlement, a prize winning or other source(s).

Where the funds have been provided by a third party, you will need to show that there is nothing about the character, conduct or associations of that person that would mean granting your application would not be conducive to the public good.

Extension applications: UK tier 1 investor visa

In order to extend your stay in the UK as a Tier 1 Investor, you will need to show that:

  • You invested not less than £2 million of your capital in the UK by way of UK Government bonds, share capital or loan capital in active and trading UK registered companies within 3 months of your grant of leave or entry to the UK;
  • You have maintained at least £2 million of your own funds, under your own control, in a permitted investment in the UK.

Settlement in the UK: UK tier 1 investor visa

If you invest £2 million in the UK, you may apply for indefinite leave to remain in the UK after five years. You may qualify for accelerated permanent residence if you maintain an investment of £10 million over two years or £5 million over three years.

In order to qualify for indefinite leave to remain in the UK as an investor, you will need to show that:

  • You have invested not less than £2 million of your capital in the UK by way of UK Government bonds, share capital or loan capital in active and trading UK registered companies;
  • You have maintained at least £2 million of your own funds, under your own control, in the UK;
  • You have sufficient knowledge of the English language and Life in the UK.

You may spend up to 180 days (six months) outside the UK each year and still qualify for permanent residence.

Please note that different requirements apply for Tier 1 Investors who applied to enter the category under the Immigration Rules in force prior to 6 November 2014.  If you submitted an investor visa application on or before 5 November 2014; then your application will be decided against the requirements of the Immigration Rules in force at that time.

UK Tier 1 Investor Visa at Paradise Law Solicitors

Paradise Law Solicitors is widely recognised as one of the leading immigration Solicitors.

Kindly contact our immigration experts on 0121 285 2535 or 07940 077 805 or email legal@paradiselawsolicitors.co.uk for bespoke advice.