Overview of Tier 1 Visa Application routes under the Points Based System

The Tier 1 Visa Application route is one of the options available for business people looking to apply for a UK visa under the Points Based System. The Tier 1 Visa Application route is a popular visa for business people looking to invest or establish their business in the UK. There are various routes under the Tier 1 Visa Application route, such as the Tier 1 (Entrepreneur), Tier 1 (Graduate Entrepreneur), Tier 1 (Exceptional Talent) and Tier 1 (Investor) visa. There have been recent amendments introduced to the current Tier 1 Visa Application routes under the Statement of Changes to the Immigration rules HC1078.

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Successful Tier 1 Visa Applications can be made by LEXVISA Solicitors in London

Tier 1 Entrepreneur visa & Tier 1 Entrepreneur (Graduate) visa

The Tier 1 (Entrepreneur) visa is one of the most common type of Tier 1 Visa Application and is specifically for business people looking to relocate to the UK to set up their business. This Tier 1 Visa Application category allows business people to either set up a new business or take over an existing business in the UK.  The fundamental requirements for a Tier 1 (Entrepreneur) visa are that you must have access to at least £200,000 and the funds must be held for a consecutive 90 day period and must be held in a regulated financial institution. In addition to this requirement, Applicant’s must also demonstrate that they meet the English Language requirements and are able to maintain and accommodate themselves in the UK. It is also important for Applicants to satisfy the Genuine Entrepreneur Test demonstrating that the Applicant is genuinely seeking to set up a viable business or take over an existing business.

The Tier 1 (Graduate Entrepreneur) is available for graduates who have been officially endorsed as having a credible business idea.  Applicants must be endorsed by the Department for International Trade (DIT) and hold a UK recognised bachelor’s degree or PhD.

Tier 1 (Exceptional Talent) visa

The Tier 1 (Exceptional Talent) Visa Application route consists of two stages. Firstly it requires the Applicant to be endorsed by a Designated Competent body.  The Designated Competent Body will be responsible for assessing whether an individual reaches the appropriate level to be endorsed under the Tier 1 (Exceptional Talent) Visa Application route. Each Designated Competent Body covers a wide range of disciplines within their field.  The second stage consists of the Tier 1 (Exceptional Talent) Visa Application and you should prepare a well-prepared application ensuring all the requirements are met.

Tier 1 (Investor) visa

To submit a successful Tier 1 (Investor) Visa Application you must meet the following requirements:

  • Firstly Applicant is required to demonstrate that they have at least £2 million available to them in the UK. These funds must be held in a regulated financial institution and disposable in the UK. In addition to this the Applicant must have opened a UK bank account with a UK regulated bank with the purpose of investing at least £2 million.  The Applicant must have complete control over the funds and must not be from an investment fund.
  • Secondly, Applicants must not fall under the General Grounds for refusal and demonstrate that they are of good character.

The Tier 1 Visa Application route also requires Applicants to provide a Tuberculosis test certificate if you are from one of the countries which fall under the Home Office list. Applicants are also required to obtain a criminal record certificate from any country they have resided in for 12 months or more in the last 10 years, confirming the Applicant has no criminal record.

Statement of Changes to the Immigration rules HC1078 – Tier 1 (Entrepreneur) changes introduced

The Following changes have been introduced under the Tier 1 (Entrepreneur) route:

  • An amendment to provide a clearer definition of “invested” funds;
  • Removing references to HM Revenue & Customs documentation which has been discontinued in light of self-assessment of self-employed earnings;
  • Clarifying the evidential requirements for applicants who have invested in a Limited Liability Partnership; and
  • Revising the specified evidence required to demonstrate that an entrepreneur’s employee has settled status in the UK (to satisfy the requirement for the applicant to create jobs for settled workers).

Using Legal Representations to submit a successful Tier 1 Visa Application

Legal representatives, such as our specialist immigration and visa law firm, are qualified to advise you on your Tier 1 Visa Application. It is possible to instruct an immigration and visa legal representative to submit a successful immigration application to the UK Home Office. A Tier 1 Visa Application can be complicated at times as the Home Office have imposed highly specific requirements for applicants to meet. Our expert immigration solicitors will provide you with a tailored service and are on hand to expedite the process. 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.

Advice from UK Immigration Solicitors on Submitting a successful Tier 1 Visa Application

Our team of solicitors and barristers bear in mind the paramount duty of all legal representatives to act in your best interest whilst complying with the strict letter of the law. Our team of specialists can be distinguished from other law firms with our client-tailored approach and scrutiny of options available to you from the outset. We will be able to advise you in respect of the merits of your UK Tier 1 Visa Application by providing you with advice from our leading team of solicitors before your matter even reaches the Home Office. We can assist you with the preparation of your visa application and ensure that you meet all the requirements of the relevant rules.

If you wish to consider your options, please call our Immigration Team so we can assess your matter and if necessary advise you of the next steps you should take in a consultation.

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.

If you need professional legal advice about submitting a successful UK Tier 1 Visa application, please contact us for a case assessment on 02030110276. You can also reach us via our contact form

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