

5 Essential Tips on Setting Up a Business in the UK
With 801,000 new businesses launching in the UK between 2022-23, setting up for success is more important than…
A start up visa will enable you to bring your business idea to life in the UK. Let our immigration solicitors help you today.
If you’re thinking about starting a new business in the UK, we can help. Our immigration solicitors apply their commercial minds and their understanding of the specific requirements of innovator visas and work diligently to present your business case effectively.
FAQs
Start up visas, like innovator visas, focus on individuals who want to start a business in the UK. However, unlike innovator visas, which target experienced businesspeople, start up visas allow people with limited business experience to enter the UK to start a business.
However, these two visa types have fairly similar eligibility criteria and requirements.
To apply for an start up visa, as a minimum you must demonstrate:
There are also other requirements beyond these that you must meet, however these requirements are specific to the start up.
Knowledge of English
When applying, you must ensure that you can speak, read, write and understand English. There are a number of qualifications that prove you can do this, including GCSEs or degrees taught in English.
There are exceptions to who must demonstrate knowledge of English, which can be found on gov.uk. An overseas degree taught in English may not be sufficient proof of knowledge of English, unless it is confirmed through an organisation called ‘Ecctis’.
All applications for start up visas must be made online, but they can be made from outside the UK, or from within. You can also extend an existing start up visa, or switch from another visa type. If your start up is successful and your start up visa expires after 2 years, you may be able to switch it to an innovator visa.
Due to the complexity of these visa applications, and to ensure your application’s best chances of success, we do require an initial consultation for anyone considering applying for a start up visa.
There are several fees applicable when applying for a start up visa, which vary depending on whether your application is made inside or outside the UK:
Please note that the NHS health surcharge above is for an individual only. If your partner and dependants are joining you, this number will increase.
Our legal fees for applying for start up visas can be found here.
Any fees for translation and interpretation are separate to the fees above.
Start up visas are typically granted relatively quickly. For applicants in the UK, the wait time is 8 weeks, and for applicants outside the UK it’s 3 weeks.
There are two premium services available on start up visa applications which can shorten the decision-making process if applying from within the UK. You can pay £500 for a decision within 5 working days, or £800 for a decision by the end of the next working day.
If any additional information is required for your application, you may need to wait longer for a decision.
If your application is refused, you will receive a letter or email with the reason for refusal. Depending on what this reason is, you may request that an administrative review is undertaken, or you may appeal the decision.
We can advise you on your application and your chances of approval if your initial start up visa was rejected.
Call, email or provide us with a few details of your matter, and we’ll help you arrange an initial consultation. You’ll get:
No fee surprises. Ever. Our solicitors in London and Brighton will inform you from the outset how much your case will cost and we will do everything in our power to keep costs down and within your original fee estimate.
You are our priority and law is our speciality. Our award-winning solicitors in London and Brighton ensure you know exactly where you stand from a legal perspective so you can make a well-informed decision.
With fortnightly updates on your case, you’ll never be left in the dark. Our solicitors in London and Brighton ensure you know exactly how your case is progressing and are with you every step of the way.
What we do
Our untimed initial consultations provide you with as long as you need to speak to a specialist solicitor about your matter.