Eligibility

You must be endorsed by an authorised body that is either:

• A UK higher education institution
• A business organisation with a history of supporting UK entrepreneurs

You must be able to show that your business idea is:

• A new idea – you cannot join in a business that is already trading
• Innovative – you must have an original business idea which is different from anything else on the market
• Viable – it has potential for growth

How long you can stay

You can stay for 2 years if you either:

• Come to the UK on a Start-up visa
• Switch to this visa from another visa while in the UK

If you want to stay longer in the UK

You cannot apply to extend this visa.

You may be able to switch to an Innovator visa if you set up a business while on a Start-up visa and:

• Your endorsing body assessed and agreed it
• It is active, trading and sustainable
• You have day to day involvement in it

If your endorsement is withdrawn

Your visa may be cut short if your endorsement is withdrawn by the endorsing body. If you want to stay longer, you must re-apply with a new endorsement before your current visa expires.

You can only stay for a total of 2 years even if you’re granted a new visa with a new endorsement.

How long it takes

As part of your application, you’ll need to prove your identity and provide your documents.

You may need to allow extra time if you need an appointment to do this. You’ll find out if you need one when you start your application.

Getting a decision

Once you’ve applied online, proved your identity and provided your documents, you’ll usually get a decision on your visa within:

• 3 weeks, if you’re outside the UK
• 8 weeks, if you’re inside the UK

If you need to go to an appointment, you may be able to pay for a faster decision.

Fees

How much you pay for a Start-up visa depends on your situation and where you apply from.

Inside UK – 508 GBP

Outside UK – 378 GBP

You must pay the visa fee for each person that applies at the same time as you or applies later to join you in the UK.

Healthcare surcharge

You’ll also have to pay the healthcare surcharge as part of your application.

Check how much you’ll have to pay before you apply.

https://www.immigration-health-surcharge.service.gov.uk/checker/type

If you’re applying to switch in the UK

You’ll also need to have your biometric information (fingerprints and a photo) taken – there’s no fee for this.

What you can and cannot do

With a Start-up visa you can:

• Bring your partner and childrenwith you as your ‘dependants’, if they’re eligible
• Work in another job, as well as working for your business
• Travel abroad and return to the UK

You can also switch to this visa from some other visa categories.

You cannot:

• Apply for most benefits (public funds), or the State Pension
• Work as a professional sportsperson, for example a sports coach
• Settle in the UK on this visa

If your application is successful, you’ll get a full list of what you can and cannot do with a Start-up visa.

Eligibility

Before you apply you need to have your business or business idea assessed by an endorsing body.

They will provide you with an endorsement letter if your business is viable.

You must also:

• Be at least 18 years old
• Meet the English language requirement
• Be able to prove that you have enough personal savings to support yourself while you’re in the UK

Supporting yourself

You need to have had at least £1270 in your bank account for 28 consecutive days before you apply, or if you’ve been in the UK for less than a year and applying to switch to this visa.

Knowledge of English

You’ll usually need to prove your knowledge of the English language when you apply, unless you did this in a previous successful visa application.

Level of English

You must prove you can read, write, speak and understand English to a level B2 on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) scale.

You can prove your knowledge of English by:

Passing a Secure English Language Test (SELT) from an approved provider

Having a GCSE, A level, Scottish National Qualification level 4 or 5, Scottish Higher or Advanced Higher in English gained through study at a UK school that you began when you were under 18

Having a degree-level academic qualification that was taught in English – if you studied abroad, you’ll need to apply for confirmation through Ecctis (formerly UK NARIC) that your qualification is equivalent to a UK bachelor’s degree, master’s degree or PhD

Who does not need to prove their knowledge of English

You do not need to prove your knowledge of English if you’re a national of one of the following countries or territories:

• Antigua and Barbuda
• Australia
• the Bahamas
• Barbados
• Belize
• the British overseas territories
• Canada
• Dominica
• Grenada
• Guyana
• Jamaica
• Malta
• New Zealand
• St Kitts and Nevis
• St Lucia
• St Vincent and the Grenadines
• Trinidad and Tobago
• USA

Documents you’ll need to apply

When you apply you need to provide an ‘endorsement letter’ to show that an endorsing body has assessed your business.

You’ll also need to provide:

A valid passport or other document that shows your identity and nationality

bank statements showing you’ve had at least £1270 in savings in your bank account for 28 consecutive days before you apply

Proof that you meet the English language requirement

Your tuberculosis test results if you’re from a country where you have to take the test

If your documents are not in English or Welsh you’ll also need to provide a certified translation.

You’ll need a blank page in your passport for your visa if you’re:

From outside the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein

From the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein but do not have a biometric passport with a chip in it

Apply from outside the UK

You must apply online for a Start-up visa and our Smart Reach Immigration consultant will help you.

Your partner or children will need to apply separately.

How long it takes to get a decision

Once you’ve applied online, proved your identity and provided your documents, you’ll usually get a decision within 3 weeks.

You’ll be contacted if your application will take longer, for example:

If you’re applying with a family member who needs an appointment but you do not

If your supporting documents need to be verified

If you need to attend an interview

Because of your personal circumstances, for example if you have a criminal conviction

Your partner and children

Your partner and children can apply to join you or to stay in the UK as your ‘dependants’ if they’re eligible. If their application is successful, their visa will end on the same date as yours.

Your relationship

A dependant partner or child is any of the following:

• Your husband, wife, civil partner or unmarried partner
• Your child under 18 – including if they were born in the UK during your stay
• Your child over 18 if they’re currently in the UK as your dependant

You’ll need to provide evidence of your relationship when you apply.

Your partner

You must be able to prove that either:

• You’re in a civil partnership or marriage that’s recognised in the UK
• You’ve been living together in a relationship for at least 2 years when you apply

If your child is 16 or over

They must:

• Live with you (unless they’re in full-time education at boarding school, college or university)
• Not be married, in a civil partnership or have any children
• Be financially supported by you

If your child lives with you, you’ll need to provide 2 of the following documents confirming their address:

• A bank statement
• Credit card bills
• Driving licence
• NHS registration document
• An official letter from their university or college

Money they need to support themselves

Your partner and children must each have a certain amount of money available to support themselves while they’re in the UK.

In addition to the £1,270 you must have to support yourself, you – or your partner or child – will need:

• £285 for your partner
• £315 for one child
• £200 for each additional child

Example

You must have £1870 if you want to bring your partner and 1 child with you to the UK: £1270 to support yourself + £285 for your partner + £315 for your child.

You’ll need to have had the money in your bank account or your dependant’s bank account for at least 28 days before you or they apply.

You’ll usually need to show proof of this when you apply, unless you or they are applying from inside the UK and you’ve been here for 1 year or more.

Pay the healthcare surcharge

If you’re making an immigration application online you pay the healthcare surcharge as part of the application process. You must complete the payment and return to the online immigration application in less than 30 minutes.

If you’re making an immigration application by post you must pay the healthcare surcharge before you complete your application.

You must pay the healthcare surcharge by debit or credit card.

If you’re applying online, you’ll be asked for:

• The start and end dates on your certificate of sponsorship, if you have one
• Your course dates, if you’re applying as a student

If you’re applying by post, you’ll also be asked for:

• The type of visa you’re applying for
• Your passport or travel document number
• An email address