The situation
The UK government has announced that a new start-up visa route will replace the current Tier 1 Graduate Entrepreneur scheme in March or April 2019.
A closer look
- New visa details.
- The new visa will be available to foreign nationals who seek to start a business in the United Kingdom.
- Full details have not yet been released, but it is expected that applicants will no longer be required to have earned a Bachelor’s degree in the last two years (as they are under the current Tier 1 Graduate Entrepreneur scheme), among other changes that should ease the visa criteria.
- The Tier 1 Graduate Entrepreneur requirement of endorsement by a UK university or approved UK business sponsor will remain. A UK business sponsor can be an accelerator – an organisation that facilitates start-ups and is endorsed by the UK Department for International Trade.
- Current entry path for entrepreneurs. Currently, foreign entrepreneurs who have not earned a Bachelor’s degree in the last two years can apply for a Tier 1 Entrepreneur visa to enter the United Kingdom, which requires an investment of GBP 200,000 (or GBP 50,000 in some scenarios) in the United Kingdom. Foreign entrepreneurs with a Bachelor’s degree earned in the last two years can apply for a Tier 1 Graduate Entrepreneur Visa.
Impact
The Home Secretary has stated that under the new visa, qualifying entrepreneurs should benefit from a faster and smoother route, open not only to graduates but a wider pool of talented business founders.
Background
The visa route was designed based on advice from the Migration Advisory Committee, feedback from the technology sector and other stakeholders. The change is in line with other recent amendments in the United Kingdom aimed at encouraging the entry of talented foreign nationals.
Looking ahead
The UK government is expected to publish further details on the eligibility criteria for the new start-up visa in the coming months.
This alert is for informational purposes only. If you have any questions, please contact the global immigration professional with whom you work at Fragomen or send an email to [email protected].
Explore more at Fragomen
Media mentions
Partner Dan Brown co-authored a whitepaper on how the U.S is better situated to face workforce challenges because of immigration.
Media mentions
Partnering with Talent Beyond Boundaries, Fragomen continues to support displaced people in their host societies.
Media mentions
Senior Manager Kelly Hardman discusses Scotland’s hospitality sector following the UK government’s increase to the salary threshold for Skilled Worker visas.
Blog post
Manager Russell Hodges and Immigration Paralegal Natalia Jozwiak discuss the future of the UK's science sector following the country's 2024 re-entry into the Horizon programme and shift in migration policy.
Media mentions
Partner Charlotte Slocombe discusses what is considered US residency now that Prince Harry has changed his primary residence from the UK to US.
Media mentions
Director Willys Mac’Olale shares the impact the AfCFTA will have on Kenya’s economy and immigration policies.
Video
Immigration Consultant Laura Varon Osorio explains the process for posting foreign workers to France during the eagerly awaited 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Paris.
Media mentions
Partner Daniel Pierce shares how a Supreme Court visa denial case could impact challenges to employment-based visa denials.
Awards
Partner Kevin Miner is selected by the Daily Report as a finalist in the “Legal Innovators” category of the publication’s 2024 Southeastern Legal Awards.
Blog post
This blog considers how employer sponsorship of long-term residence permits in Europe could be a means for retaining their talent.
Blog post
This blog provides an overview of Switzerland's family reunion process for EU/EFTA nationals and third-country nationals.
Awards
Four Fragomen professionals are recognised in the 2025 edition of The Best Lawyers in Australia in the field of immigration law.
Media mentions
Partner Dan Brown co-authored a whitepaper on how the U.S is better situated to face workforce challenges because of immigration.
Media mentions
Partnering with Talent Beyond Boundaries, Fragomen continues to support displaced people in their host societies.
Media mentions
Senior Manager Kelly Hardman discusses Scotland’s hospitality sector following the UK government’s increase to the salary threshold for Skilled Worker visas.
Blog post
Manager Russell Hodges and Immigration Paralegal Natalia Jozwiak discuss the future of the UK's science sector following the country's 2024 re-entry into the Horizon programme and shift in migration policy.
Media mentions
Partner Charlotte Slocombe discusses what is considered US residency now that Prince Harry has changed his primary residence from the UK to US.
Media mentions
Director Willys Mac’Olale shares the impact the AfCFTA will have on Kenya’s economy and immigration policies.
Video
Immigration Consultant Laura Varon Osorio explains the process for posting foreign workers to France during the eagerly awaited 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Paris.
Media mentions
Partner Daniel Pierce shares how a Supreme Court visa denial case could impact challenges to employment-based visa denials.
Awards
Partner Kevin Miner is selected by the Daily Report as a finalist in the “Legal Innovators” category of the publication’s 2024 Southeastern Legal Awards.
Blog post
This blog considers how employer sponsorship of long-term residence permits in Europe could be a means for retaining their talent.
Blog post
This blog provides an overview of Switzerland's family reunion process for EU/EFTA nationals and third-country nationals.
Awards
Four Fragomen professionals are recognised in the 2025 edition of The Best Lawyers in Australia in the field of immigration law.