United Kingdom

Business Visas to the UK includes adaptable visa categories. UK Business Visas are applicable to flourishing business people and their families to extend and perform their business in the United Kingdom. These visas encompass the scope of permanent UK residence and British Citizenship, given that the applicants fulfill the additional criteria. We offer assistance with one of the chief Business Visa categories viz. TIER 1 – INVESTOR VISA.

The Tier 1 – Investor visa program is applicable to businesspersons with high net worth. The UK Business Visa regulations permit Tier 1 – Investor visa holders to assign substantial financial investment in the UK.

The Tier 1 – Investor visa program is designed for entrepreneurs who seek investment opportunities in the UK. The investor must intend to invest a sizeable amount of their wealth in the United Kingdom. The investment must be productive, profitable to the UK economy, and facilitate financial growth of the state.

Visa, under this program, is granted for a maximum period of three (3) years initially. It allows the applicant to conduct extensive market research to recognize the most profitable venture to invest in.

The Tier 1 – Investor visa may be extended and eventually lead to permanent residence and UK Nationality, given that all the relevant prerequisites are fulfilled.

To qualify for a Tier 1 – Investor visa, applicants must fulfill the following eligibility criteria.

The applicant must have at least £1 million of disposable funds held in regulated financial institutions in the UK and personal assets worth, taking into account any liabilities, minimum £2 million. The applicants are also eligible if they can prove to possess at least £1 million worth of personal disposable funds held in regulated financial institutions. Visa holders are exempted from the English language proficiency and minimum available maintenance (funds) requirements.

Under this category, visa holders are permitted to work in the United Kingdom, however there is no stringent applicable regulation that they must work.

This visa entitles the Tier 1 – Investor Visa holders to conduct preparatory research and basic formalities for up to three (3) years, which can be extended leading to Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR). Eligible dependants of the visa holder are permitted to be included. Upon obtaining the visa, the dependants may also work or study freely in the United Kingdom.

ILR entitles individuals to permanent residency. The individuals are also granted the permit for visa-free travel to and from the UK. ILR holders may also be eligible to sponsor their non-British relatives into the UK. This form of sponsorship, assuming that the applicant meets the remaining eligibility criteria, may lead to British citizenship.

The entrepreneur category is for those applicants who wish to invest in the United Kingdom by setting up or taking over, and being actively involved in the running of one or more businesses in the United Kingdom.The Tier 1 (Entrepreneur) visa category applies to the main applicant as well as their immediate family members, including spouse and children under the age of 18. The entrepreneur visa is initially granted for 3 years and 4 months but there’s an option for it to be extended for another two years. Applicants in the first category are eligible to apply for British citizenship after they have spent a period 6 years in the country, while those who create ten jobs or achieve an annual turnover of at least £5 million a year are eligible to apply after 5 years of residence in the UK.

The UK follows a point based system, and hence for a successful entrepreneur visa application, applicants need to score sufficient points on a points-based assessment.These points are based on a number of factors like the funds that are available to the applicant for investment purposes, their English Language ability and whether they have enough money for their living costs in the UK (maintenance).

Applicants must score at least 95 points for their attributes which also vary with whether it is an initial or an extension application. Also required are 10 points for English language as well as 10 points for available maintenance (funds). If an applicant does not score a minimum of 75 points for their attributes and 10 points for English language and 10 points for available maintenance (funds), the application will be refused.

Online points based calculators are available for applicants to complete a self assessment and find out if they are likely to score enough points. Applicants can use these to ensure before applying that their applications are eligible on the basis of the points.

Applicants need to take or send their forms, fee and supporting evidence to the visa application center. Biometrics and photo is must to be taken at the visa application center. It needs to be ensured that all the supporting documents are submitted with the application as any evidence provided after a decision has been reached will not be considered. Once granted entry clearance as an entrepreneur from outside of the United Kingdom, an applicant shall be able to live and work in the United Kingdom for a period of 3 years and 4 months. As the end of these 3 years and 4 months approaches, If an applicant wishes to continue the stay, the applicant must apply for an extension before the expiry of his initial entry clearance.

While making an initial application, The applicant must meet the following requirements:

When an applicant is applying for an extension on their entrepreneur visa, they must have: