Graduate Entrepreneur Visa UK
Since March 29, 2019 the Tier 1 Graduate Entrepreneur route has denied entry to new applicants. The UK visa status of international students needs adjustment from a student visa, or anyone planning to spend time in Britain needs to understand
The Start-up and Innovator visas provide suitable options for UK business startup ventures. Our knowledgeable team at 447561699666 remains available for any kind of expert consultation regarding UK business visas.
What is meant by the Graduate Entrepreneur Visa UK?
Foreign students who graduated with UK Student Visas had access to the Tier 1 Graduate Entrepreneur Visa UK for starting successful businesses within the country. To qualify applicants needed proof from their university combined with a detailed business plan along with money to fund personal expenses.
Students initially received the Graduate Entrepreneur Visa for one year before they could apply to extend their period to one more year. Visa holders received permission to work part-time as they could perform 20 hours per week of employment to sustain themselves. The Graduate Entrepreneur Visa helped applicants transition to the Tier 1 Entrepreneur Visa on their way toward obtaining UK permanent residency rights. This visa program offered an ideal pathway to new business owners whose plans had a strong potential for profitability in the next one to two years.
What is the Deportation Process in UK?
The application process for a Tier 1 Graduate Entrepreneur visa UK requires the following to be fulfilled.
- Obtain Support from a Recognised Institution
You require sponsorship from either the UK Trade and Investment or from a recognised UK Higher Education Institution (HEI). It is pertinent to understand the fact that HEIs are subjected to limitations on the number of endorsements that can be provided within a specific time period, especially in accordance with the Home Office criteria. Today, there are only 1,900 seats for annual intake. - Be a Recent Graduate with a Business Idea
This means that applicants have to be young graduates with a realistic business venture idea. This is a compulsory condition in order to obtain an endorsement from a particular higher learning institution. - Hold a Recognised Degree
A bachelor’s, master’s, or PhD must be obtained and have been approved. If you have obtained your degree from a university outside the United Kingdom your degree has to be accredited by the UK NARIC equivalent to a UK degree. - Meet English Language and Financial Maintenance Requirements
The applicant must show they meet the English language requirement and have enough funds for their visa. However, unlike the standard Entrepreneur visa, you don’t need to show investment funds.
By meeting the above Eligibility Criteria for Graduate Entrepreneur Visa, you will be in a good position to be granted the Tier 1 Graduate Entrepreneur visa and begin a new future in the UK as an entrepreneur.
What is the duration of a Tier 1 Graduate Entrepreneur Visa in the United Kingdom?
The Tier 1 Graduate Entrepreneur visa is granted for one year but can sometimes be extended for another year. To be able to make the application for this tier 1 graduate entrepreneur visa extension, you should continue to get the endorsement of your supporting Higher Education Institution as well as the Department for International Trade, proving you made substantive progress with the development of your business.
After your business is set up, the holder may migrate from a Tier 1 Graduate Entrepreneur visa to a Tier 1 Entrepreneur visa to progress the business in the UK further. Transition in 2006 consequently presents a key advantage because you can access a new minimum level of £50,000 as opposed to £200,000 of the original SEIS.
What Are the Alternative Routes to the Tier 1 Graduate Entrepreneur Visa UK?
With the closure of the Tier 1 Graduate Entrepreneur Visa, there are still several pathways available for graduate business professionals who wish to stay in the UK and start a business:
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As the Tier 1 Graduate Entrepreneur Visa has been closed, it is impossible to request a tier 1 Graduate Entrepreneur Visa extension. Besides, with all Tier 1 Entrepreneur Visas expiring on the 5th of April, 2023, it is only possible to extend one’s stay in the country through a switch to another category.
In case you are not sure what options are available to you, or if you would like help changing to an appropriate visa, Just let us know how we can guide you on the right decision.
Today’s graduate entrepreneurs can opt for a 3-year Innovator Visa, which acts as a route to ILR. However, one must fulfill other requirements to get the ILR, such as the Life in the UK Test.
It is a major leap to switch from being a visa holder to getting a valid permit to live in the UK. There is a need for compliance with measures that can guarantee your application to give your business long-term sustainability.
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The Tier 1 Graduate Entrepreneur Visa provided more options than the standard Tier 1 Entrepreneur Visa, but applicants needed to consider some important restrictions. Visa holders gained permission to operate their own businesses alongside other employment opportunities, except for work as doctors in training, dentists, professional athletes, and sports coaches.
Visa candidates had permission to enroll in additional educational programs, together with their entrepreneurial pursuits. Applicants could take part in multiple educational programs by enrolling in supplemental master-level curriculum. The visa enabled entry and exit from the UK without limits for the entire duration of its effectiveness. Business activities could proceed with a few exceptions that included construction-sector operations. Property management, together with property development, was an accepted activity.
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The Graduate Entrepreneur Visa limited its beneficiary to a maximum residency time of two years before expiration, which did not result in Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR). Through this visa, people gained access to the Tier 1 Entrepreneur Visa, which allowed them to move forward towards settlement status. Your Graduate Entrepreneur Visa gives you two years to meet business requirements and investment standards, which might ultimately grant you Indefinite Leave to Remain status.
The duration of stay on a Graduate Entrepreneur visa qualified as eligibility for Indefinite Leave to Remain if applicants maintained continuous residence for 10 years after completing their visa. Applicants could pursue the Tier 2 (General) visa option if they met all specified requirements when they wanted to change visas.
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How Can Immigration Solicitors UK Help?
For years, Immigration Solicitors UK has demonstrated its expertise in helping clients secure their visas through Tier 1 Graduate Entrepreneur Visa applications. The specialized attorneys at Immigration Solicitors UK supervise every step of the visa process, beginning with business plan drafting and university endorsement acquisition and ending with full visa submission.
Our team assists numerous individuals through the change from the Graduate Entrepreneur Visa to the Tier 1 Entrepreneur or Innovator Visa pathways. Our specialized method gives applicants distinct legal counsel that matches their professional objectives and immigration requirements.
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FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make an application for the Graduate Entrepreneur Visa within UK immigration?
The Graduate Entrepreneur Visa, part of the former Tier 1 visa group, has been permanently closed since March 2019. Applications are no longer accepted under this route. Individuals aiming to establish a business in the UK must now explore alternative visa categories such as the Start-up Visa or the Innovator Founder Visa. These new routes support innovative entrepreneurial ventures but require endorsement from a UK-authorised endorsing body.
What replaced the Graduate Entrepreneur Visa?
The Start-up Visa has replaced the Graduate Entrepreneur Visa. Unlike its predecessor, it is available to both UK graduates and international applicants, regardless of where they studied. To qualify, applicants must propose a viable, scalable, and innovative business idea that receives formal endorsement from a UK government-approved organisation.
Can I work while on the Graduate Entrepreneur Visa?
Yes, holders of the Graduate Entrepreneur Visa were allowed to work up to 20 hours per week during academic terms in a paid job, provided that it did not conflict with their business activities. Full-time work was permitted during academic holidays. However, certain restricted professions, such as trainee doctors, they were off-limits.
Can I apply for this visa if I studied outside the UK?
Typically, this visa targets graduates from UK universities. However, special exceptions existed. For instance, the Sirius Programme—a scheme supported by the UK Department for International Trade (DIT) that enabled talented entrepreneurs from outside the UK to apply. In all such cases, official endorsement was still required.
Can I bring dependants on a Graduate Entrepreneur Visa?
Yes. Visa holders could bring dependants, including a spouse or partner and children under 18. Each dependant needed to apply separately and demonstrate access to sufficient maintenance funds to support their stay in the UK.
What happens after the two-year visa period?
The Graduate Entrepreneur Visa was not extendable beyond its initial two-year duration. However, if the individual made measurable progress in developing their business, they could apply to switch to another visa, such as the Innovator Visa or the Skilled Worker Visa, subject to meeting relevant criteria.
Is there a minimum investment required?
No. Unlike the Tier 1 Entrepreneur Visa, this visa did not require a fixed minimum investment. Nevertheless, applicants were expected to demonstrate financial stability and the capability to support themselves during their stay.
Can I pursue further education while holding this visa?
Yes. Part-time study was permitted, especially where it supported business development goals. However, the primary focus of the visa had to remain on launching and growing the approved business.
What makes this visa different from the Tier 1 Entrepreneur Visa?
The key differences were in funding and experience requirements. The Graduate Entrepreneur Visa catered to recent graduates with innovative ideas and required endorsement, but no substantial investment. In contrast, the Tier 1 Entrepreneur Visa required applicants to invest at least £200,000 and usually targeted individuals with established business experience.
Does time spent on this visa count toward permanent residency?
Yes. Time spent on a Graduate Entrepreneur Visa could contribute toward the 10-year long residence requirement for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), as long as the applicant maintained continuous and lawful residence in the UK throughout that period.
