Tier 1 Entrepreneur visa route is closed. However Innovator, Start-up, Sole representative visa, Tier 1 Investor and Tier 2 route are still open.

As Brexit approaches, there are bound to be several changes coming up in the next few months with respect to the UK’s immigration and visa rules. So we will be updating this post quite a lot. However, for the time being, here is an overview of the Tier 1 Entrepreneur Visa eligibility criteria the way they stand in January, 2019.

The Tier 1 Entrepreneur Visa is intended to allow migrants to set up businesses in the UK in order to create jobs and growth. UKVI has also introduced a test of genuineness to prevent abuse of the visas granted under this category.

The primary requirements to be met by an applicant to apply as a Tier 1 Entrepreneur visa are they:

  • must want to set up or run a business in the UK
  • be from outside the European Economic Area and Switzerland
  • meet other requirements including
  • access to at least £ 50,000 in funding
  • meet the English language requirement
  • be able to support yourself during your stay
  • be at least 16 years old

There are a few options under this category:

If you have Access to £50,000

Applicants who have access to £50,000 in investment funds from one or more of the following:

  • a UK entrepreneurial seed funding competition endorsed by UK Trade and Investment (UKTI)
  • a UK government department making funds available for the purpose of setting up or expanding a UK business

Applicants who are from outside the UK can also apply if their funds are from a venture capital firm registered with the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).

Former Tier 1 (Graduate) Entrepreneurs

Students who were previously granted Tier 1 (Graduate) Entrepreneur can apply for Tier 1 Entrepreneur Visa,  if they meet the following requirements if they:

  • are applying to change (s