The entrepreneur category is for those investing in the United Kingdom by setting up or taking over, and being actively involved in the running of one or more businesses in the United Kingdom.

You can apply under the entrepreneur category now if you are:

• In the United Kingdom and want to make an initial application as an entrepreneur;
• Already in the United Kingdom as an entrepreneur and want to extend your permission to stay within your existing category;
• Already in the United Kingdom as a business person or innovator and want to extend your permission to stay in the entrepreneur category;
• Applying for permission to enter the United Kingdom (known as 'entry clearance') under the entrepreneur category.

This section explains the requirements you must meet to be accepted into the entrepreneur category (Tier 1 Entrepreneur) of UK's points-based system to work in business in the United Kingdom.

What points you have to score to apply as an entrepreneur:

To apply under our points-based system and be accepted into the entrepreneur category, you must pass a points-based assessment.

You must score:

• 75 points for your attributes which are different depending on whether you make an initial or extension application; and
• 10 points for English language; and
• 10 points for available maintenance (funds).

If you do not score a minimum of 75 points for your attributes and 10 points for English language and 10 points for available maintenance (funds), your application will be refused.

How the points differ for first time applications and extension applications

The requirements that you must meet in order to be awarded points differ depending on whether you are:

• Applying to enter the entrepreneur category for the first time (initial applications) ; or
• Applying to extend your existing permission to stay in this category (extension applications).

You should apply if you are a not a national of the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland and want to enter or stay in the United Kingdom to work in business in the entrepreneur category.

You should apply if you are:

• In the United Kingdom, want to make an initial application for the entrepreneur category and are eligible to switch into the entrepreneur category:
• A highly skilled migrant;
• A highly skilled worker (tier 1);
• An investor (tier 1);
• A post-study worker (tier 1);
• A business person;
• An innovator;
• A student;
• A student nurse;
• A student re-sitting an examination;
• A student writing up a thesis;
• A work permit holder;
• A postgraduate doctor or dentist;
• A self-employed lawyer;
• A writer, composer or artist;
• An investor;
• A participant in the International Graduates Scheme or its predecessor, the Science and Engineering Graduates Scheme;
• A participant in the Fresh Talent: Working in Scotland Scheme;
• Already in the United Kingdom under entrepreneur category and want to extend your permission to stay within your existing category;
• Already in the United Kingdom as a business person or innovator and want to extend your permission to stay in the entrepreneur category;
• Applying from outside the United Kingdom for permission to enter (known as 'entry clearance') in the entrepreneur category.

If you are a dependant of a main applicant, you should complete the separate dependant application form.

 

You do not have to apply under the points-based system if:

• You are an EEA or Swiss national;
• You are a British overseas territories citizen, unless you are from one of the sovereign base areas in Cyprus;
• You are a Commonwealth citizen with permission to enter or stay in the United Kingdom because at least one of your grandparents was born here;
• Your spouse or civil partner, unmarried or same-sex partner, or (if you are under 18) one of your parents has permission to stay in the United Kingdom under the entrepreneur category of the points-based system; or
• You have no conditions or time limit attached to your stay.

This section explains when and how you should apply for the entrepreneur category (Tier 1 Entrepreneur) of the points-based system to work in business in the United Kingdom.

For applications made inside the United Kingdom:

If you are already in the United Kingdom, you should apply to stay as soon as possible and before your current leave runs out. UKBA encourages you to apply one month before your leave runs out.

Application date by post

The date of postage is used as the date of application.

The date of an application made by post is decided by the postmark. The payment handling service attaches the original envelope with all postal applications. If the envelope in which the application was posted is missing, or if the postmark is illegible, the date of postage is taken as at least one day before its receipt. The day of receipt is normally the date the payment handling service processed the fee. If there is any uncertainty, you will be given the benefit of the doubt.

Application date by courier

If you send your application by courier, the date it is received at the payment handling service is used as the date of application.

The payment handling service attaches the original envelope with all postal applications.

The payment handling service includes the date of delivery for all applications by courier.

Application in person

UKBA does not currently offer this service. If you would like to apply under the entrepreneur category, you must complete the application form and submit it by post. The service may be available in the future.

For applications made outside the United Kingdom:

The date of the application is the date that the fee is paid and your biometric details are taken. Contact your nearest UK visa application centre (VAC) to apply.

 

 

This section explains how you can apply to extend your stay in the United Kingdom under the entrepreneur category (Tier 1 Entrepreneur) of the points-based system.

Who can apply to extend their stay

You can apply to extend your stay if you are already in the United Kingdom under the entrepreneur category and want to extend your permission to stay within your existing category.

You can apply to extend your stay as a entrepreneur if you are already in the United Kingdom under the business person or innovator category.

If you have not previously been given permission to stay in one of these three categories, you should read the section on initial applications.

How long you can extend your stay for

If you are extending your stay as an entrepreneur, you will given a further two years permission to stay.

When the end of this period approaches you will need to make a further application.

The conditions you must meet if you want to extend your stay

Extension applications are dependent on the following conditions:

• You have no recourse to public funds which means you will not be able to claim most benefits paid by the state;
• You register with the police if this is needed by paragraph 326 of the immigration rules;
• No employment other than working for the business or businesses that you have established, joined or taken over.

Need More Assistances & Supports?

Write us at immigration@biniaminindustries.com or call us at our international hotline +88-(0)-1713-114660