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What Are The Restrictions For A Tier 1 Graduate Entrepreneur?

What Are The Restrictions For A Tier 1 Graduate Entrepreneur?

The Tier 1 Graduate Entrepreneur Visa is designed to bring or keep foreign graduates (non-EC) who have a credible business idea in the country in order to start their intended business. It is a great option for those who are finishing their studies and have a business idea that is credible and crucially, endorsed by an appropriate body. In this article, we are going to look at the Tier 1 Graduate Entrepreneur Visa route overall and also look at what restrictions there are on Tier 1 Graduate Entrepreneur Visa holders.

What Is The Tier 1 Graduate Entrepreneur Visa?

The Tier 1 Graduate Entrepreneur Visa is designed to allow students finishing their studies to remain in the UK, or for foreign graduates to move to the UK in order to start a business. In order to do this, they must have a credible business idea that is endorsed by either the Department for International Trade (DIT), or an appropriate Higher Education Institution (HEI) (you will need to check that your institution is on the list of approved bodies). As long as you fit this criteria, you can apply for the visa that gives you an initial period 1 year (can be extended by a further year) to get your business off of the ground.

How Long Can A Tier 1 Graduate Entrepreneur Visa Holder Stay In The UK?

The initial period of a Tier 1 Graduate Entrepreneur Visa is 1 year. This is regarded as sufficient for your business to get off of the ground. The visa can also be extended by a further year if necessary. At the end of this visa you will have the choice to either leave the country or to switch to an alternative visa route. The usual route is to switch to a Tier 1 Entrepreneur Visa under the £50,000 seed fund eligibility criteria. As long as your business has generated sufficient funds, moving to the new visa should be reasonably straightforward.

Get in touch if you are coming to the end of your initial (or extended) period on your Tier 1 Graduate Entrepreneur Visa. We can help you to figure out what your next steps should be and also help you to collate the information required to make an application to switch your visa.

How Do I Apply For A Tier 1 Graduate Entrepreneur Visa?

You must apply online for a Tier 1 Graduate Entrepreneur Visa if you are based outside of the UK. If you are currently in the UK, you will need to download the appropriate form from the Gov.uk website. Once completed, you will need to either post it to UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) or use a premium service to begin the process. The current fee is £363 for those who apply from outside of the UK and £493 if you're already in the UK (this is reduced if you are from either Turkey or Macedonia). Once accepted, you should then wait to hear back before commencing any work in your new business (especially if you are currently in the UK on a Tier 4 Student Visa). If you need further help and guidance with regards to applying for a Tier 1 Graduate Entrepreneur Visa, please get in touch and we'll be happy to help.

What Restrictions Are There For Tier 1 Graduate Entrepreneur Visa Holders?

There are quite specific restrictions laid out for Tier 1 Graduate Entrepreneur Visa holders. Below is a list of things that you can and cannot do while in the UK on a Tier 1 Graduate Entrepreneur Visa:

You Can

  • Bring family members to the UK with you
  • Extend your stay (by a further year)
  • Switch to the visa from other categories (such as Tier 4 Student Visa

You Cannot

  • Access public funds (such as welfare benefits)
  • Work as a trainee doctor or dentist
  • Work as a professional sportsperson (such as a coach)
  • Settle in the UK

As well as these restrictions, you will also need to ensure that if you do plan to take on external work to your business, it is for significantly less time than you spend working on your intended business. This is important as UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) will look dimly on any attempt to use the Tier 1 Graduate Entrepreneur Visa as a route to external employment.

What Can I Do At The End Of My Tier 1 Graduate Entrepreneur Visa?

You have a few choices at the end of your Tier 1 Graduate Entrepreneur Visa. You can either switch to an alternative visa (such as a Tier 1 Entrepreneur Visa) or leave the country. Of course if you have a business in the country or indeed some family members, you are going to be looking at options for staying in the country. The most used route for a Tier 1 Graduate Entrepreneur is the Tier 1 Entrepreneur Visa. This visa allows you to stay in the UK for an initial period of 40 months and can eventually lead to you being able to permanently reside in the UK (by extending and staying in the UK for 5 years).

For those who have a running business, the Tier 1 Entrepreneur Visa is the ideal choice of visa to switch to. If you want to discuss your options, please get in touch and our immigration lawyers will be able to help to talk you through the possibilities and offer you practical advice for settling your immigration status in the UK.

Where Can I Get More Help?

If you need more help or advice with regards to the Tier 1 Graduate Entrepreneur Visa then please get in touch. Our team of immigration specialists can help you to make applications and ensure compliance to ensure that you have the best chance possible of making a success of your move or continues stay in the UK. So to get started with our services, call today and a member of our team will be happy to help.

What Are The Restrictions For A Tier 1 Graduate Entrepreneur?

The Tier 1 Graduate Entrepreneur Visa is designed to bring or keep foreign graduates (non-EC) who have a credible business idea in the country in order to start their intended business. It is a great option for those who are finishing their studies and have a business idea that is credible and crucially, endorsed by an appropriate body. In this article, we are going to look at the Tier 1 Graduate Entrepreneur Visa route overall and also look at what restrictions there are on Tier 1 Graduate Entrepreneur Visa holders.

What Is The Tier 1 Graduate Entrepreneur Visa?

The Tier 1 Graduate Entrepreneur Visa is designed to allow students finishing their studies to remain in the UK, or for foreign graduates to move to the UK in order to start a business. In order to do this, they must have a credible business idea that is endorsed by either the Department for International Trade (DIT), or an appropriate Higher Education Institution (HEI) (you will need to check that your institution is on the list of approved bodies). As long as you fit this criteria, you can apply for the visa that gives you an initial period 1 year (can be extended by a further year) to get your business off of the ground.

How Long Can A Tier 1 Graduate Entrepreneur Visa Holder Stay In The UK?

The initial period of a Tier 1 Graduate Entrepreneur Visa is 1 year. This is regarded as sufficient for your business to get off of the ground. The visa can also be extended by a further year if necessary. At the end of this visa you will have the choice to either leave the country or to switch to an alternative visa route. The usual route is to switch to a Tier 1 Entrepreneur Visa under the £50,000 seed fund eligibility criteria. As long as your business has generated sufficient funds, moving to the new visa should be reasonably straightforward.

Get in touch if you are coming to the end of your initial (or extended) period on your Tier 1 Graduate Entrepreneur Visa. We can help you to figure out what your next steps should be and also help you to collate the information required to make an application to switch your visa.

How Do I Apply For A Tier 1 Graduate Entrepreneur Visa?

You must apply online for a Tier 1 Graduate Entrepreneur Visa if you are based outside of the UK. If you are currently in the UK, you will need to download the appropriate form from the Gov.uk website. Once completed, you will need to either post it to UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) or use a premium service to begin the process. The current fee is £363 for those who apply from outside of the UK and £493 if you're already in the UK (this is reduced if you are from either Turkey or Macedonia). Once accepted, you should then wait to hear back before commencing any work in your new business (especially if you are currently in the UK on a Tier 4 Student Visa). If you need further help and guidance with regards to applying for a Tier 1 Graduate Entrepreneur Visa, please get in touch and we'll be happy to help.

What Restrictions Are There For Tier 1 Graduate Entrepreneur Visa Holders?

There are quite specific restrictions laid out for Tier 1 Graduate Entrepreneur Visa holders. Below is a list of things that you can and cannot do while in the UK on a Tier 1 Graduate Entrepreneur Visa:

You Can

  • Bring family members to the UK with you
  • Extend your stay (by a further year)
  • Switch to the visa from other categories (such as Tier 4 Student Visa

You Cannot

  • Access public funds (such as welfare benefits)
  • Work as a trainee doctor or dentist
  • Work as a professional sportsperson (such as a coach)
  • Settle in the UK

As well as these restrictions, you will also need to ensure that if you do plan to take on external work to your business, it is for significantly less time than you spend working on your intended business. This is important as UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) will look dimly on any attempt to use the Tier 1 Graduate Entrepreneur Visa as a route to external employment.

What Can I Do At The End Of My Tier 1 Graduate Entrepreneur Visa?

You have a few choices at the end of your Tier 1 Graduate Entrepreneur Visa. You can either switch to an alternative visa (such as a Tier 1 Entrepreneur Visa) or leave the country. Of course if you have a business in the country or indeed some family members, you are going to be looking at options for staying in the country. The most used route for a Tier 1 Graduate Entrepreneur is the Tier 1 Entrepreneur Visa. This visa allows you to stay in the UK for an initial period of 40 months and can eventually lead to you being able to permanently reside in the UK (by extending and staying in the UK for 5 years).

For those who have a running business, the Tier 1 Entrepreneur Visa is the ideal choice of visa to switch to. If you want to discuss your options, please get in touch and our immigration specialists will be able to help to talk you through the possibilities and offer you practical advice for settling your immigration status in the UK.

Where Can I Get More Help?

If you need more help or advice with regards to the Tier 1 Graduate Entrepreneur Visa then please get in touch. Our team of immigration solicitors can help you to make applications and ensure compliance to ensure that you have the best chance possible of making a success of your move or continues stay in the UK. So to get started with our services, call today and a member of our team will be happy to help.

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Reiss Edwards Reviews

O.L

"Andy Tieu is absolutely amazing, as a lawyer myself I can categorically say tha...

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Kiran Sardar

"I found Joe very helpful and tremendous patience which is a must in this profes...

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Cheyam Shaked

"Anna Foley was the lawyer helping my partner obtain an EEA EFM visa. She was ou...

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Isaac .T

"Professional service. I was very impressed with the fact that my ILR applicatio...

Read More