Business Migration
Business Migration to the UK is designed to allow successful business people and their families to carry out business in the UK. These visas can lead to UK permanent residence and UK citizenship.
There are a diverse range of visas which are suitable to a broad spectrum of business people as the UK entrepreneurs and welcomes all businessman who can contribute to the UK economy.
The following UK business visas are available:
1) Innovator Founder Visa
2) Self-Sponsored Skilled Visa
3) Sole Representative of an Overseas Business Visa
1) – Innovator Founder Visa
The Innovator Founder Visa is for start-up entrepreneurs and experienced businesspersons seeking to establish a business in the UK. This visa does NOT require any specific level of funds to invest in their proposed business, but the business to be established must have an innovative, viable and scalable business idea, supported by a business plan, which has been approved by an endorsing body.
The person applying for this visa needs:
(a) to show that his/her business idea is different from anything else on the market and has potential for growth.
(b) is approved by an endorsing body.
(c) received a certain grade in one of the English language tests.
This visa allows you and your family to stay in the UK for a period of 3 years if you meet with your endorsing body after 12 months and after 24 months to show that you are making progress with your business. If the endorsing body isn’t satisfied with the rate of progress of your business, then the endorsement from the endorsing body may be withdrawn. If you wish to remain longer, there is a possibility to re-apply for a new endorsement before the current visa expires.
2) – Self-Sponsored Skilled Visa
This visa allows an individual who is interested in setting up a business in the UK, or to an individual who already owns a business in the UK to obtain a visa through “self-sponsorship” by means of sponsorship through his/her own UK company.
To begin this process, the business in the UK must secure a Skilled Worker Sponsor licence before the individual can proceed to apply for self-sponsored Skilled Worker visa.
The requirements of the Self-Sponsored Skilled Visa include:
(a) The applicant is at least 18 years old.
(b) The UK company is active.
(c) The UK company holds a Skilled Worker sponsor licence.
(d) The applicant has a valid Certificate of Sponsorship.
(e) The job offer is a genuine vacancy.
(f) The sponsored individual has the appropriate skill level.
(g) The salary requirements are met.
(h) The applicant has an English language requirement of at least CEFR level B1.
3) – Sole Representative of an Overseas Business Visa
This visa allows an overseas company to send one representative to the UK to set up a branch or subsidiary office, including carrying out market research, registering the company in the UK and negotiating with suppliers and customers.
Although the nominated representative must have the authority to make day-to-day decisions in the UK, they cannot be a director or major shareholder in the overseas company.
Applicants applying for a Sole Representative Visa can only work in the business for which the permission to enter the UK was originally sought. The visa is granted for three years which can be extended for a further two years and may entitle the visa applicant to permanent residency.
A visa applicant can bring his/her spouse and dependent children to the UK to work and reside with him/her.
The visa applicant must be able to fulfill the following requirements for a Sole Representative Visa:
- Be an employee of a company that has its main office outside of the UK without a branch, subsidiary or other representative in the UK.
- A senior employee with authority for decision making on behalf of the overseas company with respect to setting up the branch in the UK.
- Employed full time as a representative of the overseas company.
- Not be a majority shareholder in the overseas company.
- Must not take up any employment other than that relating to their work for the overseas company.
- Must be able to financially maintain and accommodate themselves and any dependents without recourse to public funds.
Kangaroo Migration Services is a company that has for many years dealt with and continues to deal with immigration and the obtaining of all types of visas (short term and long term).
Please feel free to contact us to discuss with our representative the options available to you and/or to complete our questionnaire and send it to us.