UK Start-Up Visa: What it is and How to Apply

The UK Start-Up Visa was established in March 2019 in order to attract the “best global talent and maintain the UK’s position as a world-leading destination for innovation and entrepreneurs”. Essentially, the government created the visa with the purpose of attracting ambitious and innovative people to the country so as to grow the economy and provide more jobs.

With the Start-Up Visa, the person in question gets the opportunity to live in the UK for a one-off two-year period and develop his or her business.

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Who can apply for a UK start-up visa?

Anybody can apply for a start-up visa as long as they have an innovative business they wish to set up in the UK, and they are able to fulfil a few other criteria.

What are the criteria?

Firstly, the business must be endorsed by an endorsing body. The endorsing bodies are some select businesses or universities in the UK and their role is to assess the business idea and find out how viable it is. Without endorsement from the body, you cannot get a start-up visa. If no endorsing body gives you the ‘thumbs up”, it means that your business idea is not seen as scalable or workable.

It is important to bear in mind that this business idea has to be innovative. That is, it has to be something new, or at least with a new angle to it. But don’t let that daunt you!

The next criterion has to do with finances. You do not need to have investment funds to get a start-up visa. What you need is a viable business plan.

However, if you are coming to the UK, you need to show that you have enough money to support yourself. That is, you can pay for your living costs. If you are moving to the UK with any dependants – for instance, a spouse or children – you need to show that you can also handle their living costs.

To pass the financial test and be eligible for a start-up visa, you’ll need to show that you have £1,270, or show confirmation from your endorsing body that you have been awarded funds to at least the same amount.

If you are bringing dependants, you will need to have an extra £285 for your partner, £315 for your first dependent child, and £200 for any other dependent child. The alternative is that the dependant has funds to cater for him or herself.

If you have got your business plan, endorsement and financial support sorted out, the only other criteria left are minor ones. You have to of course be at least 18 years old, and you need to prove your knowledge of English. You can do this by either taking a test or simply proving that you have an academic degree that was taught in English – bachelor’s degree, master’s degree or PhD.

Duration

The duration for a start-up visa is two years. You cannot apply for an extension.

You will be able to stay longer if, at the end of your two years, you apply instead for an innovator visa. But you have to be eligible in order to do so.

How to apply for a UK start-up visa

You will need to apply online, and you will also need some supporting documents.

What are the supporting documents you’ll need?

First, you’ll need to provide your endorsement letter to show that an endorsing body has assessed and approved your business.

Next, you’ll need to provide a valid passport or any other official document that shows your identity and nationality, bank statements showing you’ve had at least £1270 in savings in your bank account for 28 consecutive days before you apply, and proof that you meet the English language requirement. You will also need to provide your tuberculosis test results if you’re from a country where you have to take the test.

Further, as part of your application you’ll also need to either have your fingerprints and photograph taken at a visa application centre, or use the ‘UK Immigration: ID Check’ app to scan your identity document.

Where can you apply?

Application of the start-up visa is online.

Click here to begin your application.

You will need to sign in with your email.

What happens after your application?

You will get a decision on your visa within three weeks of your application.

What does it cost?

Asides from the money required as evidence of your ability to support yourself in the UK, you will need to pay £363 as a visa fee, and an extra £363 for any dependants.

You’ll also need to pay a health surcharge. Find out how much this will cost before you apply.

Contact

If you need to change anything on your application after you have submitted it, you can contact UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI).