There are a number of different business visa routes for non-EEA national business people who wish to work and reside in the United Kingdom. The appropriate business visa route would largely depend on the aims and objectives of individual applicants. The options range from the Tier 1 Investor visa, Tier 1 Entrepreneur visa and the popular Tier 2 General work visa. All three of this business visa routes are applications made under the UK Immigration Rules and the appropriate appendixes/guidance.Â
The Tier 1 Investor business visa route
The Tier 1 Investor business visa route was introduced to attract high net worth individuals who wish to relocate to the United Kingdom. The Tier 1 Investor visa allows overseas business people to make a substantial investment in the United Kingdom and in return could benefit from settlement rights. Under the Tier 1 Investor visa, there are also special accelerated settlement rights for Applicants and their dependents. Investment may be made in the UK in UK Government Bonds, Share Capital or Loan Capital in active and trading UK registered companies. A key attraction for this visa is that there are no maintenance or English language requirements. The relevant rules for a Tier 1 Investor visa application can be found under Paragraph 245E of the Immigration Rules. In addition to Paragraph 245E of the Immigration Rules, the relevant Appendixes must be considered as well as the Home Office Policy Guidance. If you wish to apply for a Tier 1 Investor Visa, you must be a national of a country from outside the European Economic Area and Switzerland and must have a minimum of £2,000,000 to invest in the UK.
The Tier 1 Entrepreneur business visa route
The Tier 1 Entrepreneur business visa route was designed for high net worth overseas business people who wish to set up or taking over an existing business in the United Kingdom. Applicants must be able to show a minimum investment of £200,000 and must be able to show the origin of the funds. In addition to this Applicants are required to show that their business idea or takeover is both credible and viable. The Home Office has also introduced a Genuine Entrepreneur Test which must be satisfied.  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 option for Applicants to apply under the Accelerated Settlement Programme and achieve a permanent settlement in the UK in 3 years providing certain requirements are met.
The Tier 2 General work business visa route
The Tier 2 General work business visa route allows non-EEA nationals to enter the UK for salaried employment with a UK business who hold a valid Tier 2 Sponsor Licence. In order to apply for a Tier 2 General work visa, Applicants must have a skilled job offer and a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) from a Tier 2 employer. The Home Office guidance on Tier 2 Visas offers more detail on how to satisfy the requirements of each Tier 2 Visa category. However, the UK’s Immigration Rules can be complex, therefore it is always best to seek advice from fully qualified immigration experts, such as our team which includes Solicitors and Barristers, before making any Points-Based System application to the Home Office. Contact us today to book an initial consultation with us.
Using Legal Representation to apply for a Business Visa route application
Legal representatives, such as our specialist immigration and visa law firm, are qualified to advise you on immigration law and your immigration status. It is possible to instruct an immigration and visa legal representative to make an application under one of the business visa routes available under the Immigration Rules.
Caseworkers at the Home Office are trained to reject UK Visa applications which are improperly prepared, for example by failing to provide the correct supporting evidence. In order to ensure your application succeeds, all necessary documents must be provided.
This can be a significant administrative task and you will need to submit the correct documentary evidence. The UK Immigration Rules are complex and a legal representative can help ensure that your application meets the Immigration Rules.
Successful Business Visa route application
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 business visa route application before your matter even reaches the Home Office UK Visa & Immigration department. We can assist you with the preparation of your immigration and visa application and ensure that you meet all the requirements of the relevant rules.
We 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 successful immigration applications. Our UK immigration and visa solicitors are here to guide you through the complex immigration rules and requirements. If you wish to meet one of our lawyers, please call our Immigration Team so we can assess possible UK Visa routes and arrange your legal consultation.
Contact our London immigration solicitors on 02030110276 or complete our contact form.