Planning to relocate to the UK as a business owner or a professional can be an exciting event, but the most important thing that you need to consider is the business visa that you choose that is right for you.
The visa routes that we are going to talk about in this article are
- The UK Self Sponsorship Visa
- Startup Visa UK
Why is choosing the right visa important?
If you are an entrepreneur, and you have big dreams, and you are also a skilled worker who is looking to grow in your career, or if you are someone who wants to establish a business in the UK- your success depends on the business visa that you choose.
So, let’s understand the visa options that are available that can make moving to the UK smoother for you and that also come in line with your career aspirations and lifestyle choices you make.
Understanding the UK self-sponsorship visa.
The UK self sponsorship visa is a lesser-known but the best option for entrepreneurs and professionals who are looking for autonomy in their business. This visa is very different from the traditional business visas that need you to get sponsorship from an employer. This visa route allows you to sponsor yourself via your own business.
Here are some key features of the UK self-sponsorship visa.
- You are not bound to a single employer. Which offers you the freedom to get your hands into various industry sectors or various roles within your existing business.
- This visa route is best in terms of the amount needed for investment if you are planning to establish or invest in a business in the UK.
- This route focuses on your ability to set up a sustainable business in the UK. This starts from preparing a business plan, getting financial support and showing that you hold expertise in the business field that you have chosen.
Who is this visa for?
This visa is for new entrepreneurs who have a rock-solid business idea.
For those individuals who are looking to convert their employment-based visa to a self-dependence visa.
By choosing the UK self-sponsorship visa, you are in charge of your own immigration status and professional pathway, and it aligns you with your personal values and their choices regarding your lifestyle choices.
Now, let’s understand about the start-up visa UK.
For those who have innovative ideas and are aiming to establish a business in the UK, the start of visa UK is, is a good choice. It is designed to attract global talent, and this visa only gives entry to individuals who have an innovative idea, and who can make those ideas work for real. Your ideas need to be promising in terms of major contributions to the economy of the UK.
Features of startup visa UK.
- The applicants for startup visa UK should have unique scalable ideas, which are also endorsed by an approved authorised body, such as a university.
- Unlike other visas, this route does not have any investment, but the only condition is the innovativeness of your idea.
- This visa gives you a 2-year time to develop your business, and ultimately you’ll have to transition to the innovator founder visa.
Why should you apply for this visa?
This visa is best for those individuals who have untraditional and unique ideas that don’t exist in the UK market. It is good for those who are interested in tech, those who are sustainable innovators or those who have a fresh perspective that is very-different from traditional businesses.
Some common challenges with the traditional rules.
- The endorsement needs are very complex and are also very uncertain.
- Small businesses or start up in the traditional or common service sectors face a struggle because they can not meet the innovation criteria.
- There is much dependence on external bodies for approving the application. So, this increases the waiting time for the applicants.
Preparing your next steps.
Once you’ve gone through-all the pros and cons of the right visa, you can prepare in advance.
- Start with research and understand the requirements. You should visit the official website of the UK Government to get details of the visa that you have chosen.
- Get documentation. You should get your hands on financial statements, your educational criteria and qualifications, your detailed business plan, and the offer letter of the job.
- Look for a piece of professional advice. Get in touch with expat forums, experienced solicitors, and business owners who can help you by giving a reality check of the business side of the UK economy.
- Familiarise yourself with the culture of the UK, housing plans and options, and the cost of living in the UK.
Conclusion:
Your visa choice should not only meet the immigration requirement, but it should also complement the long-term goals that you have set up. Every visa has unique eligibility, needs, and benefits. Making your application tailored to fit your life and career goals is needed for a successful move.
Moving to the UK is not only about getting a visa, but also about understanding your visa choices on the basis of your lifestyle and career goals. By matching your choice of visa with your personal aspirations and career goals, you set the runway for success. Be it a dream to run your business in the UK, or contribute to the UK economy, or create more employment opportunities, the UK self-sponsorship visa route can be a dependable option for you to establish your roots in the UK and with the right preparation and advance planning you can smoothly fulfill your dream to establish your business, work in the UK and ultimately become part of this brilliant economy.
Get solicitors advise on your UK immigration planning and making the right visa choices from A Y & J Solicitors who have helped more than 5000 individuals who are looking to make the UK their ultimate destination
