UK Startup Visa
UK Startup Visa Application Process 2023
The UK startup visa is a type of visa granted to young entrepreneurs from outside the EEA countries and Switzerland on 29 March 2019 by the European Economic Area (EEA), which was formed with the participation of 27 countries. The UK startup visa is an application for entrepreneurs who want to establish their first business in the UK. After leaving the European Union, the UK changed the conditions for the startup visa UK and removed the lower limit for start-up funds for graduates and non-graduates.
With Brexit (the UK leaving the European Union), the Tier 1 (Graduate Entrepreneur) visa requirements have changed, making it suitable for graduates and non-graduates. The UK has removed the start-up financing requirement for startup visa applications with Brexit.
Startup visa approval rates given by the UK Visas and Immigration Authority in 2019 and 2020 are shown in the table below.
| Year | Number of Applications | Approval Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 249 decisions | 93.17% |
| 2020 | 323 decisions | 97.21% |
What are the UK Startup Visa Application Requirements?
UK start-up visa application requirements are listed below.
- Be at least 18 years old
- Not having set up a business in the UK before
- Be approved by higher education institutions or an authorised person, company or body that supports entrepreneurs coming to the UK
- Obtaining a letter of approval from the organisations and authorities that approve the initiative to be undertaken in the UK.
- Have the financial means to support oneself within the UK
- Having at least B2 level of English proficiency in reading, writing, speaking and listening skills exams conducted by the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR)
What are the Business Plan Requirements for Obtaining a UK Startup Visa?
The business plan requirements for obtaining a UK startup visa are listed below.
- The applicant must have an original business plan that will meet new, unique, current market needs and create competition.
- For a UK startup visa, the business plan must be consistent, realistic and in line with the applicant’s available resources.
- The applicant must have the knowledge, skills, experience and market awareness to do the job he/she has planned and develop a business plan.
- The applicant must have the potential to grow in national markets through business planning.
What are the Language Proficiency Requirements for the UK Entrepreneur Visa?
The language proficiency requirement for the UK entrepreneur visa is to have at least B2 level language proficiency in the four basic skills of reading, writing, speaking and listening documented by the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).
The English level of the person applying for the UK entrepreneur visa is proven by the IELTS exam result, the General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) given after graduating from a UK school, and the Certificate of Proficiency (NQ) given by schools started under the age of 18 in Scotland.
What is the Investment Requirement for a UK Start-Up Visa?
There is no investment requirement to obtain a UK start-up visa.
How to Get a UK Startup Visa?
The steps to follow to obtain a UK startup visa are listed below.
- UK start-up business plan preparation: The plan prepared for the business to be established in the UK must explain in detail the targeted markets, customers, marketing and sales plans and financial plans.
- UK start-up approval application: Applicants must be approved by a higher education institution or a sponsoring business that supports entrepreneurs.
- UK start-up visa application: People who have a positive UK start-up approval application must apply for a start-up visa via the Gov.uk website, pay the visa application fee and make an appointment. UK start-up visa applicants must provide their fingerprints and have their photographs taken for biometric procedures.
What are the Required Documents for the UK Start-Up Visa?
The documents required for the UK start-up visa are listed below.
- Passport : A passport showing the applicant’s identity and not expired is required.
- Bank statement : An account statement showing that there is a deposit of 1270 euros in the applicant’s bank account before the application date is required.
- UK startup approval letter : The applicant must obtain a UK startup approval letter from higher education institutions and authorized persons and organizations.
- Proof of language proficiency : A language certificate accepted by the United Kingdom showing that you have at least a B2 level of English is required.
- Tuberculosis test : Applicants travelling to the UK from countries requiring a tuberculosis test must have a tuberculosis test and provide proof that they have had the test.
Depending on the applicant’s personal circumstances, additional documents may be requested in addition to the documents required for a UK start-up visa. For any document not written in English or Welsh, a certified translation of the document must be added to the documents required for a UK start-up visa.
How to Get a Startup Approval Letter for UK Entrepreneur Visa?
The start-up approval letter for the UK entrepreneur visa is obtained after the business plans and ideas presented are accepted and approved by universities and organizations listed on the GOV.uk website. The UK entrepreneur visa approval letter includes; reference number, the applicant’s ID, passport and contact information, a brief description of the applicant’s commercial enterprise and the services it will provide to customers, contact information of one of the people who approved the application and works for the organization that approved the UK start-up application, the address, telephone and e-mail information of the approving organization, and a letter to the UK Home Office if requested.
The UK startup approval letter must be used within three months. If 3 months have passed since the startup approval letter and the application approval is withdrawn by the institution or organization applied to, the applicants lose their right to obtain a UK startup visa.
How Much Is the Startup Visa UK Application Fee?
The startup visa UK application fee is 378 euros per person. The amount to be paid for each family member added to the application for the UK startup visa is 378 euros. In addition to the UK startup application fees, the national health insurance fee must be paid by credit card during the online application via the Gov.uk website.
The UK startup visa costs for 2022 are 2,320 euros for an applicant for all expenses including application fee, immigration health surcharge, document control, sworn translation, online document upload and consultancy fee.
How Many Days Does It Take to Get a UK Startup Visa?
Start-up UK visas are issued within 3 weeks for applications within the UK and within 8 weeks for applications outside the UK, once the online application is completed, identity information is verified and application documents are submitted.
Where to Track UK Start-Up Visa?
The UK start-up visa tracking process is done via the TLScontact website after completing the Gov.uk website login process. After completing the UK start-up visa application process, applicants should click on the link sent to the e-mail address they used for the application and follow up on the website that opens.
After clicking on the link to track the UK startup visa, you must log in to the website that appears, click on the option to provide documents and biometric information, click on the continue box that appears, and select the option to track from the directed website.
Where to Find Out UK Startup Visa Result?
The UK startup visa result is learned via e-mail or letter stating whether the application has been approved or rejected.
How Long Can You Stay in the UK with a Start-Up Visa?
With a start-up visa, you can stay in the UK for 2 years. If people who come to the UK with a start-up visa change to another visa after 2 years, they can stay in the UK for another 2 years.
Can the UK Entrepreneur Visa Period Be Extended?
A UK entrepreneur visa cannot be extended. A person with a UK start-up visa is entitled to switch to an entrepreneur visa once they have set up a business.
What are the Reasons for UK Startup Visa Rejection?
UK startup visa rejection reasons are listed below.
- Failure to provide or fail to provide evidence that you will comply with immigration rules
- The applicant’s admission to the United Kingdom would be detrimental to the public
- Criminal record that disqualifies the application
- Violating immigration rules
- Misleading and incorrect information is found in the startup visa application information and documents.
Can UK Startup Visa Rejection Be Appealed?
UK startup visa rejections can be appealed. The applicant can request an administrative review of the rejected UK startup visa application result.
Applicants who wish to appeal a UK startup visa refusal must pay a €80 review fee to request an administrative review of their application outcome and complete the online administrative review application form within 14-28 days, depending on whether applying from within the UK or outside the UK.
What are the rights provided by the UK Entrepreneur Startup Visa?
The rights granted by a UK entrepreneurial start-up visa include the right to bring dependent family to the UK, the right to work in another job alongside your own business, and the right to return to the UK after travelling to another country.
With the UK startup visa, you do not get permanent residence in the UK, state aid, retirement, or the opportunity to work in sports-related branches. If the UK startup visa application is approved, a list of what to do and what not to do is sent.
Frequently Asked Questions
The most frequently asked questions to our experts on the UK startup visa and entrepreneurship in the UK are answered below.
Can Family Members Go to the UK with a UK Start-Up Visa?
With a UK start-up visa, family members can travel to the UK. Applicants from outside the European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland can include family members in their applications, including a spouse, a child under the age of 18, or a child over the age of 18 living in the UK.
Can I Get Permanent Residence Permit in the UK with a Startup Visa?
A startup visa does not grant permanent residence in the UK. People who have been in the UK for 2 years with a UK startup visa and meet the application requirements can apply for an Innovator visa. People who have been in the UK with an Innovator visa have the right to apply for indefinite residence permit if they meet the necessary conditions. People who have a residence permit in the UK can apply for UK citizenship after 1 year if they meet the necessary conditions.
What are the differences between the UK Start-up Visa and the Innovator Visa?
The differences between the UK start-up visa and the Innovator visa are given below.
| Start-up visa | Innovator visa |
|---|---|
| Applicants do not need investment funds. | Applicants are required to invest 50,000 euros for their business. |
| The applicant must not have previously established a business in the UK. | The applicant may have previously established a business in the UK. |
| Applicants can stay in the UK for 2 years. | Applicants can stay in the UK for 3 years. |
| The applicant can bring his/her family with him/her. | The applicant can bring his/her family with him/her. |
| The applicant may work in another job other than the business he/she will establish. | The applicant can only work in the business he/she will establish. |
| The visa period cannot be extended. | The visa period may be extended. |
What are the Requirements for Converting a UK Startup Visa to an Innovator Visa?
The conditions for converting a UK startup visa to an Innovator visa are that the applicant’s business and ideas must be positively evaluated by the approval body, a letter of approval, proof of at least B2 level English, the applicant must be at least 18 years old and have the financial savings to support himself/herself in the UK.
People who want to convert their UK startup visa to an innovator visa must apply separately for their spouse and children. People who have a UK startup visa can stay in the UK for 3 years with a UK innovator visa after switching . If a person who wants to switch to an innovator visa has been in the UK for less than 1 year, they must have enough money to support themselves, prove their identity, and provide supporting documents for their application. The UK investment visa, which can be obtained after the startup visa, can be extended multiple times.
What are the UK Startup Approval Bodies?
UK startup approval bodies are listed by the UK Visas and Immigration Agency. The places that issue UK startup approval letters and are listed on the Gov.uk website are higher education institutions, business organisations and foundations that have previously supported entrepreneurs. It is recommended that you check the approval body you choose before applying for a UK startup visa.
What Are the Biggest Startups in the UK in 2022?
The largest UK startups are listed below.
- Zapp : Founded in November 2020, it is a food delivery startup in London, with a total investment value of £181 million.
- Flexion Energy : Established in London in 2020, it has reached a total investment value of £151 million in the field of cleaning technologies.
- Netomnia : Established in 2019 in the South West, it has reached a total investment value of £123 million in internet and network equipment.
- Purespring : Established in November 2020 in the pharmaceutical sector in London, it reached a total investment value of £45 million.
- HeyGo : Founded in London as an internet platform, it reached a total investment value of £30.3 million.
Startup companies established by people who want to invest in the UK make a huge contribution to the UK economy.
What Is The Most Popular Industry For Startup Entrepreneurs In The UK?
The most popular sector for startups in the UK is technology, with tech companies’ equity deals up 123% from £8.56 billion in 2020 to £19.1 billion in 2021.
The fields of service software, financial technology and artificial intelligence are rapidly gaining value in the United Kingdom. People who want to get a UK startup visa can invest in the most popular sectors in the country to establish a company in the UK .
What are the advantages of establishing a startup in the UK?
The advantages of setting up a startup in the UK are listed below.
- The startup owner can take his family members with him.
- In the UK, you can invest without any fund limit.
- A startup owner may work in another job outside of the company he founded.
- The startup owner can travel to different countries.