How To Apply For The UK Start Up Visa

How to apply for the UK Start Up visa? Who is eligible for a start up visa in the UK? What are the documents needed? Read on to find answers to all your questions.

Like other countries, the UK too realizes the value of contributions that could be made by international entrepreneurs. Citizens of EU nations, Ireland, Norway, Switzerland and Liechtenstein don’t need a visa to set up a business of work in the UK. For entrepreneurs from other parts of the world, there’s the UK Start Up Visa program to explore.

The UK Start Up visa allows visa holders to live in the country for up to 2 years. This visa cannot be extended but after a business is set up, the visa can be switched out to an Innovator visa if certain additional conditions are met.

Read: List Of 122 Visa-Free Countries For UK Citizens

The UK Start Up Visa – Eligibility

Individuals wanting to apply for this visa must meet the below criteria:

Minimum age: 18 years
He/ she must pass a Secure English Language Test (SELT)

Hold a degree in any subject taught in English

He/ she must prove sufficient funds to support oneself. You must have a minimum of £1270 in your account for at least 28 days before submitting your visa application
He/ she must be endorsed by a business organization known for supporting UK entrepreneurs such as VC firms, incubators or accelerators

A higher educational institute in the UK

He/ she must have a new business idea
The idea must be innovative
The idea must have the potential for growth

Citizens Of The Following Countries Are Exempted From Proving Their Knowledge Of English:

Antigua and Barbuda
Australia
Bahamas
Barbados
Belize
Canada
Dominica
Grenada
Guyana
Jamaica
Malta
New Zealand
St Kitts and Nevis
St Lucia
St Vincent and the Grenadines
Trinidad and Tobago
USA

Documents Required For The UK Start Up Visa

Before applying for a UK Start Up visa, you must have the following documents scanned.

Copy of the first and last page of your valid passport
Blank page in your passport
Copy of document proving identity
Proof of having met the English language requirement
Bank statement proving that you have the minimum amount required to sustain yourself
Health certificate
Endorsement letter
Character certificate from the local police

If any of the documents are not in English or Welsh, certified translations will also need to be included.

Applying for A Start Up Visa In UK

The UK start up visa must be applied for online.

Along with completing the form, you will also need to prove your identity. This may be done in either way:

Submit photograph and fingerprints at the visa application centre
Scan the identity document with the ‘UK Immigration: ID Check’ app

Once the application has been submitted with supporting documents and biometrics, you should get a decision within 3 weeks.

The visa allows the applicant to bring his/ her spouse and children to the UK but they must apply for visas separately as dependents.

Visa For Dependents

To apply for a dependent start up visa as a spouse you must prove that you have been married/ are in a civil partnership recognized in the UK or have been in a relationship and lived together for at least 2 years prior to submitting an application.

Children under the age of 18 years may apply as dependents. Unmarried children above the age of 18 years may be considered dependents if they are financially supported by the main applicant.

In addition to the £1270 you need to hold in your bank account, you will also need to prove that you can sustain your dependents. The additional funds required to apply for dependent visas are:

For spouse: £285
For 1 child: £315
For every additional child: £200

For example, to apply for the UK Start Up visa for yourself and your spouse, your bank account must have a minimum of £1,555 (£1270 + £285).