How UK Business Immigration Works?
Best working staff leads to a successful business which requires hiring skilled people for the job. The right person for your business can be someone from overseas who requires Immigration services.
Axis Solicitors are specialist UK Business Immigration Solicitors with years of experience in dealing with every type of visa application. We have a very high application success rate.
Who is Eligible for a Business Visa in the UK?
Over the years Business Immigration law has developed considerably and it is still in the process of getting more refined. It requires a lot of research and study to stay up to date. Our immigration solicitors stay up to date with the immigration law to provide you high standard immigration services.
We are a UK based Solicitors law firm and are authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority [SRA] thus we are exempt from being regulated by the Immigration Service Commissioner [OISC]. We are a fully qualified and professional law firm thus can take any type of complex immigration work.
If you require UK Immigration services and you want an expert to deal with your case then contact us immediately. Our expert legal team of best Immigration Solicitors will provide you with the best possible legal advice and guidance. Just call, message or email us now.
How to Apply for UK Business Immigration?
To apply, the applicant must meet all of the following:
- Be 18 years or older
- Be in a genuine relationship with a qualifying UK partner
- Intend to live together in the UK permanently
- Meet the financial, accommodation, and English language requirements
- Provide all required supporting documents in the correct format
UK Start-Up Visa
The UK start-up visa is for talented individuals looking to move to the UK and have an innovative business idea that is different from anything on the market.
- For this visa, an individual does not require having funds.
- It will be valid for 2 years.
Eligibility:
The UK Start-up Visa route will now be accessible only to individuals who hold a valid Start-up endorsement issued before April 13, 2023.
Exploring Alternatives:
Innovator Founder Visa: This visa offers an alternative for start-up entrepreneurs who have not yet secured an endorsement. It is designed for those aiming to establish a business in the UK.
Skilled Worker Visa via Self-Sponsorship: If you are already running a UK-based business, consider the Skilled Worker visa. By self-sponsoring, you can leverage your existing company to secure your visa.
Innovator Founder Visa
The Innovator Founder visa, launched in April 2023, is the primary route for non-UK entrepreneurs seeking to establish a business in the UK. It consolidates the previous Innovator and Start-up visa categories.
Furthermore, the UK Innovator Founder Visa merges the best features of its forerunners, offering a streamlined path to entrepreneurship and residency.
Key Benefits of Innovator Visa:
- No Minimum Investment: Applicants are not bound by the previous £50,000 investment threshold.
- Simplified Endorsement Process: The frequency of mandatory ‘check-ins’ with the endorsing body is reduced to two, a decrease from the earlier three required for startups.
- Flexible Employment Opportunities: The visa allows for secondary employment under specific conditions, providing greater career flexibility.
- Direct Route to Settlement: Time spent in the UK under this visa contributes towards the residency requirement for indefinite leave to remain.
Eligibility Criteria for Innovator Visa
Eligibility hinges on securing an endorsement from an authorised body that confirms the business concept is innovative, viable, and scalable, with the applicant being a pivotal contributor or the originator of the idea.
The latest guidelines do not explicitly require a certain amount for funding; however, you must demonstrate sufficient personal savings to support yourself in the UK.
Moreover, this visa allows you to stay in the UK for 3 years, with the possibility to extend for another 3 years. After 3 years, you may be eligible to apply for settlement (indefinite leave to remain) in the UK.
Entrepreneurs seeking alternatives to the UK Innovator Founder Visa often consider the Self-Sponsorship Skilled Worker Visa.
This pathway allows business owners to sponsor their own stay in the UK, provided they meet certain criteria, such as setting up or owning a UK company and fulfilling the Skilled Worker visa requirements.
Scale-up Visa UK
The scale-up visa enables foreign nationals to come to the UK to work in an eligible job for a fast-growing UK business. Hence, the UK’s Scale-up Visa is designed for skilled professionals recruited by a UK Scale-up Sponsor. To qualify, applicants must secure a high-skilled job offer from an eligible Scale-up business and meet the stipulated salary threshold.
Two scale-up visa pathway application routes are available, sponsored and unsponsored. First-time applicants on the Scale-up route are required to make a Sponsored application. The Unsponsored Application route is exclusively available to those who have previously obtained permission as Scale-up Workers.
The route offers rapidly growing UK businesses an opportunity to hire the best-skilled labour talent from around the world.
Living with family or friends may be acceptable, provided there is sufficient space and formal permission is granted.
Our Services for Scale up Visa UK
Our Immigration Solicitors at Axis can assist you with:
- Scale-Up Worker visa Applications
- Evaluating the best business visa option based on your circumstances
- Determining whether your business meets the criteria for hiring a skilled resource under the Scale-Up visa route.
- Scale-Up worker visa refusal cases
Eligibility Criteria for Scale Up Visa UK
The main eligibility requirements for a UK scale-up visa are that:
- The applicant must have a job offer and a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) issued by an approved sponsor employer.
- The applicant must have a confirmed job offer to work for an approved scale-up business for at least 6 months.
- The applicant must have a ‘certificate of sponsorship’ from the employer with information about the role they’ve been offered in the UK.
- The job offered must be on the list of eligible occupations.
- The applicant must be paid a minimum salary in their new job.
Find the Home Office lists of going rates for eligible occupations here. At Axis Solicitors, our dedicated team of business immigration professionals stands ready to guide you through the complexities of UK business immigration laws
Requirements and Guidance for UK Business Immigration
1. Business Immigration Application
- Axis handles all business immigration matters with high-standard applications.
- We have a strong success record across all business immigration categories.
- Our specialists make complex immigration processes easier and less time-consuming.
2. Sponsorship Licence Application
- Businesses hiring talent from abroad require a valid Sponsorship Licence.
- Our team is experienced in handling all types of sponsor licence applications.
- We guide you through every step to ensure compliance and approval.
3. Sponsorship Licence Renewal
- Licences must be renewed every 4 years to remain valid.
- Axis ensures timely renewal to avoid licence curtailment.
- We simplify the renewal process for businesses hiring overseas talent.
4. Sponsor Licence Compliance
- Licence holders must follow strict Home Office compliance rules.
- Non-compliance can negatively impact both your business and employees.
- Axis provides expert guidance to maintain compliance and avoid penalties.
5. Sponsor Licence Revocation
- Failure to comply with licence rules may lead to Home Office action.
- Revocation can affect your ability to hire international employees.
- Our solicitors help businesses prevent revocation and manage risks effectively.
Which Pathways are Included in Global Mobility Visa?
1. Overview of Global Business Mobility Visa
- Designed for overseas businesses establishing a UK presence or transferring staff.
- Covers specific business purposes, including high-value contracts and expansion.
- Combines multiple sponsored routes into one immigration category.
2. Senior or Specialist Worker Visa
- For senior managers or specialist employees on temporary UK assignments.
- Replaces the previous Intra-Company Transfer route.
- Enables strategic business roles to be fulfilled by overseas talent.
3. Graduate Trainee Visa
- For overseas workers on a graduate training programme in the UK.
- Leads to senior managerial or specialist roles within the company.
- Replaces the older Intra-Company Graduate Trainee route.
4. UK Expansion Worker Visa
- For managers or specialists moving temporarily to support UK business expansion.
- Replaces the Sole Representative of an Overseas Business route.
- Helps businesses establish a footprint and operate efficiently in the UK.
5. Secondment Worker Visa
- New route for workers temporarily seconded by their overseas employer.
- Suitable for high-value contracts or investment projects in the UK.
- Provides flexibility for temporary corporate assignments.
6. Service Supplier Visa
- For contractual service suppliers or self-employed professionals overseas.
- Covers temporary assignments under UK international trade commitments.
- Replaces the Temporary Worker – International Agreement route.
7. Professional Legal Guidance by Axis
- Axis Solicitors provide Home Office-compliant advice for all visa routes.
- We manage applications to ensure high standards and smooth processing.
- Contact Axis to discuss your case at 0808 164 4077 or via email
