MANIS LAW

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The Tier 1 Entrepreneur Visa, which was replaced by the Innovator Visa and Start-up Visa in March 2019, allows non-EEA nationals to set up, join, or take over one or more businesses in the UK, stimulating economic activity and job creation.

Providing a potential pathway to long-term residency and eventually British Citizenship, the visa allowed visa holders to bring their family members (spouse/partner and children under 18) to live with them in the UK.

The Tier 1 Entrepreneur Visa had several eligibility requirements which include:

Investment Funds: You needed to have access to at least £50,000 in investment funds from a specified source (like a venture capital firm, UK government, or through a seed competition), or £200,000 from any legitimate source.

Business Activity: The funds must have been held in one or more regulated financial institutions and be free to spend ('disposable') on business in the UK.

Business Plan: You had to provide a credible business plan, demonstrating that you could establish a viable business.

English Language: You had to meet the English language requirement, usually by passing an approved English language test with at least CEFR level B1 in reading, writing, speaking and listening, or having an academic qualification that was taught in English and is recognized by UK NARIC as being equivalent to a UK bachelor's degree, master's degree, or PhD.

Maintenance Funds: You needed to have sufficient personal savings to support yourself while you were establishing your business.

Genuine Entrepreneur Test: You had to prove that you genuinely intended and were able to establish, take over or become a director of one or more businesses in the UK within the next six months.

You can view information about fees, disbursements and timescales on our SRA fee disclaimer page