This blog is an exhaustive guide on the UK Start-up visa application process that one MUST KNOW! The procedure of UK Start-up Visa is complex and someone with limited knowledge about UK immigration can face difficulties. However, you can leave that hassle to us!

Before we directly jump into the UK Start-up visa process, let’s briefly understand this visa category.

This visa is a replacement for the Tier 1 Graduate Entrepreneur Visa. It particularly focuses on new entrepreneurs who strive to start a business in the UK for the first time. You have to make sure your start-up idea has the potential to generate revenue and must prove beneficial in contributing to the UK’s economic development.

Any inventive mind who aspires to be an entrepreneur and wants to start a business in the UK. You do not need to be a graduate or have any prior funding or business experience. You will, however, need an innovative, profitable, and scalable business idea.

In order to qualify, you must:

• Be at least 18 years old
• Receive an endorsement from any of the UK’s authorised endorsing bodies. Here’s a full list of endorsing bodies in the UK
• Be proficient in the English language, up to B2 Level
• Have the ability to maintain yourself and your family member/s (if they join)

Any inventive mind who aspires to be an entrepreneur and wants to start a business in the UK. You do not need to be a graduate or have any prior funding or business experience. You will, however, need an innovative, profitable, and scalable business idea.

Here is the documents checklist of UK Start-up Visa application:

• A valid passport or another document that shows your identity and nationality
• Bank statements showing you’ve had at least £1,270 in savings in your bank account for 28 consecutive days before you apply
• Proof that you meet the English language requirement
• Tuberculosis test results (if required)

• The foremost criterion to qualify is an innovative and unique business idea. Your business idea must be your original and genuine work
• Here are some examples, vegan clothing that is sustainable and really good for our Earth 🙂, biodegradable packing materials that are 100% environment safe, etc
• Your idea must also have the ability to grow and scale up the UK market and eventually make profits

• You will then have to get in touch with an endorsing body on the Home Office’s list of Start-Up endorsing bodies and they will further assess your business idea and conclude if you tick off all the requirements
• The endorsing body will also make sure that you will spend the majority of your working time in the UK on developing your business and generating revenue

• If the endorsing body has agreed to endorse your business plan, they will issue a Start-up Visa endorsement letter for you
• This letter must be submitted as part of your UK Start-up Visa application

• A UK Start-up Visa application must be made online on the Gov.UK website (official website of the UK government)
• You have to mention the correct details, submit relevant documents, and pay visa application fees, everything has to be done online

Once you receive a positive outcome on your UK Start-up Visa application (you will be notified for the same), you can board the next flight to the UK and immediately begin the operations of your newly established international start-up

• You need ZERO funds to invest in the business
• But here’s a catch, you will have to demonstrate that you have enough personal savings to get your business operational in the UK and arrange all the required resources

Your UK Start-up Visa will be granted for 2 years.

• A UK Start-Up Visa CANNOT be extended, and you won’t be able to settle in the UK with this visa
• However, after 2 years, you can switch your visa category from Start-up to UK Innovator Visa
• The Innovator Visa is initially valid for 3 years and can be extended for another 3 years.
• After spending 5 years in the UK on an Innovator Visa, you can get eligible for Permanent Residence (PR) in the UK

If you are submitting the UK Start-up Visa application from outside the UK, you are required to pay:

After you’ve applied online, verified your identity, and submitted your documents, you should receive a decision on your visa within:

• If you are outside the UK, it will take 3 weeks
• If you live inside the UK, it will take 8 weeks

If you opt for the Priority Service, you have to pay an additional £250 to get a decision within 5 working days
Or you can opt for Super Priority Service for an additional £956 and you can get a decision on your by the end of the next working day

To know more, you can contact our UK Start-up Visa Expert on

	+91 9819127002		+91 9819127002
	Book your Consultation		info@smartmove2uk.com