Entrepreneurs

Overview

The Entrepreneur sub-category is perfect for those individuals wishing to start a business in the UK who can meet the criteria. Tier 1 (Entrepreneur) is for non-European migrants who want to invest in the UK by setting up or taking over, and being actively involved in the running of a business.

Specific Criteria

A pass mark of 75 points are needed to satisfy the requirements for the specific criteria under the Entrepreneur sub-category.

(a) The applicant has access to not less than £200,000, or (b) The applicant has access to not less than £50,000 from: (i) one or more registered venture capital firms regulated by the Financial Services Authority, (ii) one or more UK entrepreneurial seed funding competitions which is listed as endorsed on the UK Trade & Investment website, or (iii) one or more UK Government Departments, and made available by the Department(s) for the specific purpose of establishing or expanding a UK business	25 points
Funds are held in a regulated financial institution	25 points
Funds are disposable in the United Kingdom	25 points

English Language Ability

Applicants must show that they are proficient in English by proving one of the following:

• They have passed a test in English equivalent to level C1 of the Council of Europe's Common European Framework for Language Learning (equivalent to a grade C or better at GCSE)
• Come from a country where English is the majority language spoken
• Have taken a degree taught in English (this is verified by using the National Academic Recognition Information Centre data)

Successful proof of one of these criteria will earn the required 10 points for the English language requirement.

Maintenance

Applicants from outside the country will be required to score 10 points by proving they can support themselves.

In order to qualify for entry clearance, or leave to remain under Tier 1 an applicant must show that he/she has enough money to support himself/herself. The maintenance requirements are detailed below:

• Applicants outside the United Kingdom seeking entry clearance must have at least £2,800 of personal savings which must have been held for a consecutive 90 day period before the date of application.
• Applicants in the United Kingdom seeking further leave to remain must have at least £800 of personal savings which must have been held for a consecutive 90 day period before the date of application.
  

Tier 1 (Entrepreneur) applicants may not use any money included in their £200,000 investment as evidence of maintenance funds.