What is Start-Up Visa UK
The Start-Up Visa UK is an immigration route for innovative entrepreneurs seeking to establish a new business in the UK for the first time.
- Designed for early-stage entrepreneurs without prior UK business experience
- Requires endorsement from an approved UK endorsing body
- Business idea must be innovative, viable, and scalable
- Does not require initial investment funds
- Time-limited route leading to future visa options
This route enables founders to develop ideas within a structured immigration framework.
Start-Up Visa Eligibility Overview
To qualify for the UK Start-Up Visa, applicants must meet strict criteria set by the Home Office and endorsing bodies. These requirements ensure that only genuine, innovative, and credible entrepreneurs are granted entry.
- Applicants must satisfy both immigration and endorsement requirements to demonstrate eligibility.
- Business ideas must meet innovation and viability standards, showing originality and potential for success.
Endorsement Criteria and Business Evaluation
- Business proposals must clearly demonstrate genuine innovation and originality, offering something new to the UK market.
- Applicants must show that their skills, experience, and planning prove the idea is commercially viable and sustainable.
- Scalability is essential, with evidence of potential for future growth, expansion, and job creation within the UK economy.
- Endorsing body approval is required before a visa application can be submitted, ensuring credibility and compliance.
- Ongoing monitoring by the endorsing body ensures continued adherence to endorsement conditions throughout the visa period.
Application Process Overview
The Start-up Visa UK application follows a structured, two-stage process involving an approved endorsing body and the Home Office. Applicants must first secure endorsement for their business idea before submitting a formal immigration application. Each stage has distinct requirements, and failure at any point can prevent the application from progressing further.
Endorsing Body Assessment Stage
Before a visa application can be made, the proposed business must be assessed by an authorised endorsing body. This stage focuses on the quality, viability, and scalability of the business idea, as well as the applicant’s ability to deliver it successfully.
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Endorsing bodies examine whether the business demonstrates genuine innovation, addresses a real market need, and has the potential to grow within the UK economy. The applicant’s background, skills, and experience are also carefully reviewed to ensure they are capable of developing and managing the proposed venture.
Scalability is a key consideration. Endorsing bodies assess growth projections, job creation potential, and the long-term sustainability of the business model. Only applications meeting all endorsement criteria will receive approval.
Endorsement approval is mandatory and must be obtained before any visa application is submitted to the Home Office.
Immigration Application Stage
Once endorsement has been granted, applicants may proceed to submit their Start-up Visa application to the Home Office. This stage focuses on immigration compliance rather than business assessment.
The application must be completed online and supported by the required documentation. Applicants are required to verify their identity and provide biometric information as part of the process. The Immigration Health Surcharge must also be paid to access NHS services during the visa period.
All procedural and eligibility requirements must be met at this stage. Errors in documentation, timing, or compliance can lead to refusal, even where endorsement has already been secured.
Visa Duration and Conditions
The Start-up Visa is granted for a limited period of two years. This visa does not provide a direct route to settlement or Indefinite Leave to Remain.
Holders must switch into another eligible visa category, such as the Innovator Founder route, if they wish to remain in the UK long-term. As a result, forward planning is essential from the outset to ensure continuity of lawful status and business development.
Work and Business Restrictions
Start-up Visa holders must strictly comply with the conditions attached to their permission.
Business activity is limited to the venture that has been endorsed, and applicants must actively work on developing that business during their stay. Additional employment outside the endorsed business is subject to specific restrictions and may not be permitted in all cases.
Compliance is closely monitored by both endorsing bodies and immigration authorities. Any breach of visa conditions, including unauthorised work or failure to progress the endorsed business, may result in visa curtailment or cancellation.
Important Compliance Responsibilities
Applicants must comply with all visa conditions throughout the entire validity of the Start-up Visa. Compliance is ongoing and applies from the date the visa is granted until it expires or is replaced by another immigration permission. Failure to meet these obligations can have serious immigration consequences.
- Regular endorsing body contact required: Visa holders must remain in consistent contact with their endorsing body, attending scheduled meetings and providing timely updates on business progress, milestones, and operational developments.
- Business activity restrictions apply: Applicants are required to work exclusively on the business venture approved by the endorsing body, with no unauthorised business activities permitted outside the endorsed scope.
- Accurate records must be maintained: Comprehensive financial, operational, and administrative records must be kept to demonstrate genuine business activity and ongoing compliance with endorsement requirements.
- Immigration conditions monitored: The Home Office and endorsing bodies actively monitor compliance, including work activity, reporting obligations, and adherence to immigration conditions.
- Non-compliance risks curtailment: Any breach of visa conditions, endorsement withdrawal, or failure to meet reporting requirements may result in visa curtailment or cancellation.
Understanding obligations is critical, as full compliance protects lawful status and supports future UK immigration opportunities.
Planning Your Business Journey
Launching a UK business requires immigration compliance and commercial preparation.
Developing A Strong Business Plan
A well-structured business plan supports endorsement success.
- Clear innovation explanation
- Market research evidence
- Financial forecasts aligned with growth
Preparation strengthens endorsement prospects.
Meeting Endorsing Body Expectations
Each endorsing body applies specific criteria.
- Regular monitoring meetings required
- Progress reports submitted periodically
- Endorsement may be withdrawn
Compliance ensures visa security.
Switching To Innovator Visa
Start-Up Visa holders may later switch.
- Higher business requirements apply
- Investment thresholds introduced
- Endorsing body approval required
Strategic planning is essential.
Dependants And Family Members
Dependants may apply under this route.
- Partner and children eligible
- Separate applications required
- Immigration conditions apply
Family planning should be considered early.
Business Growth And Expansion
Successful businesses must demonstrate progress.
- Job creation evidence required
- Revenue growth monitored
- Scalability remains key
Ongoing compliance supports future applications.
Ongoing Endorsement and Compliance Requirements
After 5 years of lawful residence in the UK on a UK Spouse Visa, you may apply for ILR. To qualify for ILR under the Spouse Visa route, you must meet all of the following criteria:
Maintaining Endorsement Status
Endorsement continuity is essential.
Endorsement Matters Always
- Progress reviews required
- Reporting obligations enforced
- Business milestones monitored
- Non-performance risks withdrawal
Legal guidance recommended
Visa Conditions Compliance
Applicants must follow visa rules.
Compliance Is Mandatory
- Business activity limited
- Employment restrictions apply
- Residence conditions enforced
- Breaches investigated
- Consequences severe
Adherence protects status.
Financial And Tax Obligations
UK tax compliance is essential.
Financial Duties Apply
- Business registration required
- Tax filings submitted timely
- Accounting records maintained
- VAT rules followed
- Penalties avoided
Professional advice is beneficial.
Future Immigration Planning
Early planning supports long-term stay.
Plan Early Always
- Innovator route preparation
- Settlement pathways reviewed
- Compliance history protected
- Strategic timelines assessed
- Advice recommended
Exit And Switching Options
Alternative routes may be explored.
Options Must Align
- Skilled Worker route possible
- Innovator route progression
- Family routes assessed
- Business performance considered
- Legal review required
