Business Visas

Business Immigration

After the Tier 1 (Entrepreneur) visa route in March 2019, there are several visa routes available to a person who wishes to come to the UK to establish and run a business:

  1. Innovator Founder visa
  2. UK Start-up visa
  3. UK Innovator visa
  4. Sole Representative of an Overseas Business visa

The Innovator Founder route opened on 13th April 2023, and it replaced the Innovator visa route. The Start-up visa route is still open to people who received their endorsement letter before 13th April 2023 and who apply for their visa within three months of the issue date of their endorsement letter. The Sole Representative of an Overseas Business route is closed to new applications, but people already on the route can continue until they get indefinite leave to remain.

You cannot appeal a refusal of an application under these routes, although you can ask for administrative review if you think a mistake has been made. The Home Office will only overturn decisions where there has been a clear error. Because of this, and the high fees involved, it is very important that your application is prepared properly, and the evidence needed is sent with your application.

It is advisable to seek specialist immigration advice when preparing your business immigration application.