Overview
If you aspire to establish an innovative business in the UK that offers a unique product or service, you have the opportunity to apply for a Start-up visa. This visa category requires your business idea to be distinct from existing market offerings, and it necessitates meeting all other eligibility criteria.
For individuals from the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, or Liechtenstein, there is an additional option available. If you or your family member commenced residing in the UK before 31 December 2020, you might be eligible to apply for the free EU Settlement Scheme. The application deadline for most people was 30 June 2021, although exceptions exist. If you have a later deadline or valid reasons for being unable to apply by the specified date, such as illness or domestic abuse, you can still explore the possibility of applying. Please check the requirements to ascertain if you can still proceed with the EU Settlement Scheme.
Otherwise, if you do not meet the criteria mentioned above, obtaining a visa is essential for engaging in work activities in the UK. However, it is worth noting that Irish citizens are exempt from both the visa application process and the requirement to apply for the EU Settlement Scheme.
Eligibility
To qualify for a Start-up visa, it is necessary to secure an endorsement from an authorized body, which can be either a UK higher education institution or a business organization with a track record of supporting entrepreneurs in the UK. Moreover, your business idea must meet specific criteria:
- It should be a new concept, excluding the possibility of joining an existing trading business.
- The idea must be innovative, demonstrating originality and distinctiveness compared to other offerings in the market.
- The business idea should be viable, indicating potential for growth and development.
In the event that you do not meet the requirements for a Start-up visa, there are alternative visa options available for working in the UK that you may be eligible for. It is advisable to explore these alternatives to determine the most suitable visa category for your circumstances.
How long you can stay
The duration of your stay in the UK under a Start-up visa depends on certain circumstances. If you enter the UK specifically on a Start-up visa or switch to this visa category from another visa while already in the UK, you can stay for a maximum of 2 years. Unfortunately, it is not possible to apply for an extension of this visa.
However, if you wish to continue your stay beyond the initial 2-year period, there is an option to transition to an Innovator visa. To be eligible for this transition, you must have established a business while on the Start-up visa and meet the following criteria: the endorsing body must have evaluated and approved your business, it must be actively trading, financially sustainable, and you must have an active role in its day-to-day operations.
In the event that your endorsement is revoked by the endorsing body during your Start-up visa, your visa may be curtailed. To continue your stay in the UK, it is necessary to reapply with a new endorsement before the expiration of your current visa. It is important to note that even if you are granted a new visa with a new endorsement, the maximum total duration of your stay remains 2 years.
How to apply
To apply for a visa, the process is conducted online. The specific application method you need to follow depends on your circumstances, namely whether you are outside the UK and planning to come to the country, or if you are already inside the UK and seeking to switch from a different visa category. Additionally, if your partner and children meet the eligibility criteria, they can apply to join you or remain in the UK as your dependants.
Process time
When it comes to the duration of the application process, it typically involves proving your identity and submitting the required documents. It is advisable to allocate additional time in case you need to schedule an appointment for this purpose. During the application process, you will be informed if an appointment is necessary.
After you have completed the online application, provided the necessary proof of identity and submitted your documents, a decision on your visa application is usually made within a specified timeframe. If you are outside the UK, the decision is typically reached within 3 weeks, while if you are already inside the UK, it may take up to 8 weeks. In certain circumstances, if you have an appointment, it may be possible to expedite the decision-making process by paying an additional fee. The process and requirements for expedited decisions vary depending on whether you are outside or inside the UK.