Business Immigration Routes Explained: Tier 1 Entrepreneur or Tier 1 Investor Visa?

LEXVISA Solicitors and Barristers regularly assist High Net Worth Applicants who wish to enter the UK for investment purposes or to establish a business presence UK business may apply under the Points Based System, by way of either a Tier 1 Investor Visa or Tier 1 Entrepreneur Visa. These are the most common Business Immigration Routes to enter the UK. It is, however, important to understand the distinction between a Tier 1 Investor Visa and a Tier Entrepreneur Visa and their differing requirements.

What are the key considerations for businesses looking to invest/doing business specifically in London?

There are several benefits to starting a business in London, UK by establishing your own business or investing in an existing business. The UK Government has publicly announced its support for more overseas investment in the UK and the Home Secretary aims to give an easy pass to foreign investors and entrepreneurs in the UK applying under these Business Immigration Routes.

Key considerations for successful business in London, UK include:

  • Access to vast array of funds;
  • Success business or entrepreneurial background and experience;
  • Knowledge of the London business market; and
  • Expert advice from professional financial advisors and lawyers to guide you through the process.

It is important to ensure that you can meet the requirements of these Business Immigration Routes in accordance with UK Immigration Law and Rules to start or establish a business in the UK.

What are the key considerations to set up a business under the Tier 1 Entrepreneur visa?

The Tier 1 Entrepreneur visa is one of the hugely popular Business Immigration Routes as it allows prospective entrepreneurs to come to the UK to either set up a new business or join an existing business, in which they have control. The Tier 1 Entrepreneur visa is initially granted for 3 years 4 months, after which Applicants will need to apply for a 2 years extension before being eligible to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain in the UK after a continuous 5 year residence period. There is also an avenue for an Applicant to apply under the Accelerated Settlement Programme and achieve a permanent settlement in the UK in 3 years providing certain requirements are met.

Applicants must meet the eligibility requirements in order to submit a successful Tier 1 Entrepreneur Visa application. Applicants are ideally high net worth individuals and must provide evidence that they have access to a minimum of £200,000 in investment funds. Applicants may rely on previous investments in the UK of £200,000, but this amount must have been invested in 12 months prior to the application being made to qualify.

What are the key considerations to set up a business under the Tier 1 Investor visa?

The Tier 1 Investor visa route is again another one of the very popular Business Immigration Routes for prospective investors to come to the UK as unlike the Tier 1 Entrepreneur visa, Applicants do not have to show evidence of meeting the Maintenance and English Language requirement. Applicants are also permitted to work or study on a Tier 1 Investor visa. The Tier 1 Investor visa is initially granted for 3 years 4 months, after which Applicants will need to apply for a 2 years extension before being eligible to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain in the UK after a continuous 5 year residence period. There is also an avenue for an Applicant to apply under the Accelerated Settlement Programme and achieve a permanent settlement in the UK in either 2 or 3 years providing certain requirements are met.

Applicants must be high net worth individuals and meet the eligibility requirements for a successful Tier 1 Investor visa application which includes making substantial financial investments in the UK of no less than £2 million.

About LEXVISA Solicitors and Barristers as London’s Leading Immigration Law Firm

We regularly assist High Net Worth Applicants who wish to enter the UK for investment purposes or to establish a business presence UK business may apply under the Points Based System, by way of either a Tier 1 Investor Visa or Tier 1 Entrepreneur Visa, being the most common Business Immigration Routes in the UK. We are part of the fastest growing law firm in the Plimsoll UK Top 500 solicitors firms of 2016.

LEXVISA Solicitors and Barristers are based in the legal epicentre of London, just across the road from the Royal Courts of Justice in order to ensure we get the best results for our clients.  We are minutes away from the Immigration and Asylum Tribunal, the Royal Courts of Justice and other central London courts.

Preparation is the key to a successful application. Our UK immigration and visa solicitors are here to guide you through the complex immigration rules and requirements of these Business Immigration Routes. If you wish to meet one of our lawyers, please call our Immigration Team so we can assess which Business Immigration Routes are suitable for you and arrange your legal consultation.

Contact our London immigration solicitors on 02030110276 or by email at [email protected].

Our Successful Immigration Lawyers

Our team of solicitors and barristers are specialist immigration lawyers who act in your best interest. We offer a client-tailored approach from the outset. From the very first meeting, we will be able to advise you in respect of your immigration status and the merit of your UK Visas and Immigration application under the Business Immigration Routes before your matter even reaches the Home Office UK Visa & Immigration department. We can assist you with the preparation and submission of your UK Visas and Immigration application and ensure that you meet all the requirements of the relevant immigration rules.

Our Head of Immigration, Aejaz Mussa, is a dual-qualified barrister and solicitor and practises as a solicitor-advocate with full higher rights of audience. He is has worked with many High Net Worth Individuals advising them on the broad spectrum of the Business Immigration Routes that are available and which is most suitable for their needs. He supervises and manages the Immigration Team at LEXVISA and strives to ensure that the team operates at the very highest levels of success.

For our full list of solicitors and barristers, please click here.

Contact our London immigration solicitors on 02030110276 or complete our contact form.

 

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