Overview
You can apply for a Start-up visa if:
- you want to set up an innovative business in the UK – it must be something that is different from anything else on the market
- you meet the other eligibility requirements
If you are from the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein
If you or your family member started living in the UK by 31 December 2020, you may be able to apply to the free EU Settlement Scheme.
The deadline to apply was 30 June 2021 for most people. You can still apply if either:
- you have a later deadline – for example, you’re joining a family member in the UK who was living in the UK by 31 December 2020
- you have ‘reasonable grounds’ for being unable to apply by 30 June 2021 – for example, you had an illness or were the victim of domestic abuse
Check if you can still apply to the EU Settlement Scheme.
Otherwise, you need a visa to work in the UK.
Irish citizens do not need to apply for a visa or to the EU Settlement Scheme.
Eligibility
Before you apply, you need to have your business or business idea assessed by an endorsing body.
The endorsing body will provide you with an endorsement letter if your business is viable.
You must also:
- be at least 18 years old
- meet the English language requirement
- be able to prove that you have enough personal savings to support yourself while you’re in the UK
You need to have had at least £1,270 in your bank account for 28 consecutive days before you apply, or if you have been in the UK for less than a year and applying to switch to this visa.
Knowledge of English
You will usually need to prove your knowledge of the English language when you apply, unless you did this in a previous successful visa application.
Level of English
You must prove you can read, write, speak and understand English to a level B2 on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) scale.
You can prove your knowledge of English by:
- passing a Secure English Language Test (SELT) from an approved provider
- having a GCSE, A level, Scottish National Qualification level 4 or 5, Scottish Higher or Advanced Higher in English gained through study at a UK school that you began when you were under 18
- having a degree-level academic qualification that was taught in English – if you studied abroad, you’ll need to apply for confirmation through Ecctis (formerly UK NARIC) that your qualification is equivalent to a UK bachelor’s degree, master’s degree or Ph
Who does not need to prove their knowledge of English
You do not need to prove your knowledge of English if you’re a national of one of the following countries or territories:
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Australia
- the Bahamas
- Barbados
- Belize
- the British overseas territories
- Canada
- Dominica
- Grenada
- Guyana
- Jamaica
- Malta
- New Zealand
- St Kitts and Nevis
- St Lucia
- St Vincent and the Grenadines
- Trinidad and Tobago
- USA
Documents you will need to apply
When you apply you need to provide an ‘endorsement letter’ to show that an endorsing body has assessed your business.
You will also need to provide:
- a valid passport or other document that shows your identity and nationality
- bank statements showing you’ve had at least £1270 in savings in your bank account for 28 consecutive days before you apply
- proof that you meet the English language requirement
- your tuberculosis test results if you are from a country where you have to take the test
If your documents are not in English or Welsh you’ll also need to provide a certified translation.
You will need a blank page in your passport for your visa if you are:
- from outside the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein
- from the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein but do not have a biometric passport with a chip in it
You may need to provide additional documents depending on your circumstances.
Apply from outside the UK
You must apply online for a Start-up visa.
Check which documents you will need to apply. Alternatively, contact us for more details.
Your partner or children will need to apply separately.
Proving your identity and supplying supporting documents
As part of your application, you’ll need to prove your identity. How you do this depends on where you’re from and what type of passport you have.
You will either:
- have your fingerprints and photograph taken at a visa application centre – this is to get a biometric residence permit
- use the ‘UK Immigration: ID Check’ app to scan your identity document – you’ll also create or sign into your UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account
You will be told what you need to do when you apply.
If you do need an appointment:
- the centre may need to keep your passport and documents while they process your application
- you may have to travel to get to your nearest visa application centre (this could be in another country)
How long it takes to get a decision
Once you have applied online, proved your identity and provided your documents, you will usually get a decision within 3 weeks.
You will be contacted if your application will take longer, for example:
- if you are applying with a family member who needs an appointment but you do not
- if your supporting documents need to be verified
- if you need to attend an interview
- because of your personal circumstances, for example if you have a criminal conviction
If you have applied through a visa application centre, find out if you can pay to get a faster decision – this depends on where you’re applying from.
After you apply
You can ask to cancel your application by way of completing online withdrawal application. You will only get your fee refunded if UKVI has not started processing your application. This is usually before UKvcas takes your biometric data at an approved Home Office centre.
You will get an email or a letter containing the decision on your application. This will explain what you need to do next.
Your Partner and Children
Your partner and children
Your partner and children can apply to join you or to stay in the UK as your ‘dependants’ if they’re eligible. If their application is successful, their visa will end on the same date as yours.
Your relationship
A dependant partner or child is any of the following:
- your husband, wife, civil partner or unmarried partner
- your child under 18 – including if they were born in the UK during your stay
- your child over 18 if they’re currently in the UK as your dependant
You will need to provide evidence of your relationship when you apply.
Your partner
You must be able to prove that either:
- you are in a civil partnership or marriage that’s recognised in the UK
- you have been living together in a relationship for at least 2 years when you apply
If your child is 16 or over
They must:
- live with you (unless they’re in full-time education at boarding school, college or university)
- not be married, in a civil partnership or have any children
- be financially supported by you
If your child lives with you, you’ll need to provide 2 of the following documents confirming their address:
- a bank statement
- credit card bills
- driving licence
- NHS registration document
- an official letter from their university or college
Money they need to support themselves
Your partner and children must each have a certain amount of money available to support themselves while they’re in the UK.
In addition to the £1,270 you must have to support yourself, you – or your partner or child – will need:
- £285 for your partner
- £315 for one child
- £200 for each additional child
Example
You must have £1870 if you want to bring your partner and 1 child with you to the UK: £1270 to support yourself + £285 for your partner + £315 for your child.
You will need to have had the money in your bank account or your dependant’s bank account for at least 28 days before you or they apply.
You will usually need to show proof of this when you apply, unless you or they are applying from inside the UK and you’ve been here for 1 year or more.
Please note that the above amount is subject to change as the UKVI usually changes fees/amount, sometimes on yearly basis.
Apply from outside the UK
Your partner and children must either:
Each family member will need to complete a separate application and pay the visa fee. They must apply before they travel to the UK.
They will also need your application number – you’ll get this when you apply. This number is called a Global Web Form (GWF) or a Unique Application Number (UAN). You’ll find it on emails and letters from the Home Office about your application.
As part of their application, they will need to have their fingerprints and photograph taken at a visa application centre. This is to get a biometric residence permit, which they will need to collect within 10 days of when they said they would arrive in the UK.
Apply from inside the UK (switch)
Your partner or child can apply to switch their visa either:
- at the same time as you apply to switch your own visa
- at any time before their current visa expires
This includes children who have turned 18 during your stay.
Your partner or children will not be able to apply to switch to a Start-up visa if they are currently in the UK in one of the following circumstances:
- on a visit visa
- on a short-term student visa
- on a Parent of a Child Student visa
- on a seasonal worker visa
- on a domestic worker in a private household visa
- on immigration bail
- they were given permission to stay outside the immigration rules, for example on compassionate grounds
How to apply
Your partner and child must apply online to either:
They will need your application number – you’ll get this when you apply. This number is called a Global Web Form (GWF) or a Unique Application Number (UAN). You’ll find it on emails and letters from the Home Office about your application.
As part of their application, they’ll be asked to make an appointment at a UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services (UKVCAS) service point to provide their biometric information (fingerprints and a photo).
They will also need to submit their supporting documents. They can:
- upload them into the online service
- have them scanned at their UKVCAS appointment
They must not travel outside of the UK, Ireland, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man until they get a decision. Their application will be withdrawn if they do.
Getting a faster decision
They may be able to pay to get a faster decision – they will be told if they can when they apply.
Children born in the UK
If you have a child while you’re in the UK, they do not automatically become a British citizen.
You can apply online for their dependant visa. You must do this if you want to travel in and out of the UK with your child.
You will need to provide a full UK birth certificate for each child, showing the names of both parents.
You must apply for their dependant visa before they turn 18 if they want to stay in the UK.
Switching to this visa
You might be able to apply to change (‘switch’) to a Start-up visa if you’re already in the UK on a different type of visa.
Your partner or children will need to apply separately to switch their visa. They can either apply at the same time as you, or at any time before their current visa expires.
You should apply before your current visa expires.
Eligibility
You can apply to switch to this visa if you meet the eligibility requirements.
Who cannot apply to switch to this visa?
You cannot switch to this visa if you have one of the following:
- a visit visa
- a short-term student visa
- a Parent of a Child Student visa
- a seasonal worker visa
- a domestic worker in a private household visa
- immigration bail
- permission to stay outside the immigration rules, for example on compassionate grounds
You must leave the UK and make your application from abroad if you are here on a different type of visa.
You will also need to have your biometric information (fingerprints and a photo) taken – there is no fee for this.
How long you can stay
You can stay for 2 years if you either (Any time you have already spent in the UK on a Tier 1 (Graduate Entrepreneur) visa counts as part of the 2 years):
- come to the UK on a Start-up visa;
- switch to this visa from another visa while in the UK
If you want to stay longer in the UK
You cannot apply to extend this visa.
You may be able to switch to an Innovator visa if you set up a business while on a Start-up visa and:
- your endorsing body assessed and agreed it
- it is active, trading and sustainable
- you have day to day involvement in it
If your endorsement is withdrawn
Your visa may be cut short if your endorsement is withdrawn by the endorsing body. If you want to stay longer, you must re-apply with a new endorsement before your current visa expires.
You can only stay for a total of 2 years even if you’re granted a new visa with a new endorsement.
How much it costs
If you have been in the UK for less than 1 year, you will also need to prove you have enough money to support yourself.
Proving your identity and supplying supporting documents
As part of your application, you’ll need to prove your identity. How you do this depends on where you’re from and what type of passport you have.
You will either:
- have your fingerprints and photograph taken at a visa application centre – this is to get a biometric residence permit
- use the ‘UK Immigration: ID Check’ app to scan your identity document – you’ll also create or sign into your UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account
You will be told what you need to do when you apply.
If you do need an appointment:
- the centre may need to keep your passport and documents while they process your application
- you may have to travel to get to your nearest visa application centre (this could be in another country)
How to apply to switch to a Start-up visa
You must apply online.
How much it costs to apply for the visa
How much you pay for a Start-up visa depends on your situation and where you apply from.
| Who you are applying for | Apply (outside the UK) | Switch (in the UK) |
| Yourself | £378 | £508 |
| Your partner and children | £378 each person | £508 each person |
You must pay the visa fee for each person that applies at the same time as you or applies later to join you in the UK.
Healthcare surcharge
You will also have to pay the healthcare surcharge as part of your application. You however need to check how much you will pay before applying.
What you can and cannot do
With a Start-up visa you can:
- bring your partner and children with you as your ‘dependants’, if they’re eligible
- work in another job, as well as working for your business
- travel abroad and return to the UK
You cannot:
- apply for most benefits (public funds), or the State Pension
- work as a professional sportsperson, for example a sports coach
- settle in the UK on this visa
Following a successful application, you will get a full list of what you can and cannot do with a Start-up visa.
Our fixed fees are given in the table below
| Our Service | Our Fixed Fees Range |
| Full service for applying for start-up visa outside the UK, covering all work until a decision by the Home Office, UKVI | From £2,000 To £2,500 |
| Full service for switching into start-up visa within the UK, covering all work until a decision by the Home Office, UKVI | From £1,500 To £2,000 |
Please note that the firm does not charge VAT.
The agreed fixed fee will depend on the complexity of the application and the volume of casework involved in the application. In addition to our fixed fee mentioned in the table above, the applicant also has to pay the Home office UKVI fees for the application.
For more information and or consultation, please contact us.
By Dominica Dunkwu – Solicitor/principal
