Tier 1 Graduate Entrepreneur Visa: Changes to UK Immigration Rules

The Tier 1 Graduate Entrepreneur visa route is for non-European graduates who do not have a job offer from an employer, but instead have a genuine and credible business idea and entrepreneurial skills that they wish to put into practice in the UK. The Home Office have recently announced a number of changes to the UK’s Immigration Rules, most of which took effect from 6 April 2014, with many coming into effect on 1 July 2014.

Tier 1 Graduate Entrepreneur Visa: A Summary

The government have explained that the route is open to UK graduates who have been identified by Higher Education Institutions (HE1) as having developed genuine and credible business ideas and entrepreneurial skills to establish one or more businesses in the UK. This route is also available for graduates who have been identified by UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) or as elite global entrepreneurs to establish one or more businesses in the UK.

The UK government recognises the importance of welcoming the world’s most talented and as such in March 2014, the UK Immigration Minister James Brokenshire announced that the Tier 1 Graduate Entrepreneur scheme is to be made more flexible and simpler. This is by removing the ring fencing of places for MBA graduates and the current restrictions on participants graduation dates.

Tier 1 Graduate Entrepreneur Visa: Changes to Immigration Rules

The Home Office have announced that from 1 July 2014, the amount that applicants will need to show for maintenance is due to increase from £900 to £945 if applying from inside the UK and from £1800 to £1890 if applying from outside the UK. Applicants must ensure that they have had this amount for a 90 consecutive 90 day period. Please note as before you could switch into the Tier 1 Graduate Entrepreneur visa route.

In addition to this, from 6 April 2014, the following changes have been made and apply:

  • Separation of endorsements for MBA graduates and for all other graduates are now abolished; institutions are now given a total amount of general endorsements which will be available for all students, MBA or otherwise;
  • Applicants can switch from the Tier 1 Graduate Entrepreneur visa into the Tier 1 Exceptional Talent visa as well as Tier 2 General and Tier 1 Entrepreneur; and
  • The Home Office have increased the cost of a Tier 1 Graduate Entrepreneur application from £406 to £422.

Successful UK Tier 1 Graduate Entrepreneur Visa Applications & Appeals

Our team of experienced and professionally qualified immigration solicitors and barristers will be able to guide you through the process of making a Tier 1 Graduate Entrepreneur visa application step by step and limit the possibility of failure by complying with the strict letter of law.

We also undertake a great deal of appeal work before the Immigration and Asylum Tribunal and have a successful track record of successful results for our clients. We have the experience and the knowledge required to take your case forward successfully. If you have had a Tier 1 Graduate Entrepreneur visa refused, contact us to discuss your case so that we can provide you with a case assessment.

Contact us so that we can review your case and provide you with an assessment.

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