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Tier 1 (Entrepreneur)

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Can you apply?

This section explains whether you can apply to enter or remain in the UK under Tier 1 (Entrepreneur) of the points-based system.

For your application to be successful, you must score a total of 95 points and meet all the other requirements of the Immigration Rules - see 'More information' below.

If you are already in the UK in a different immigration category, you can find out whether you can 'switch' into Tier 1 (Entrepreneur) under 'More information' below.

Initial applications

If you are applying to enter the UK under Tier 1 (Entrepreneur), or to switch into Tier 1 (Entrepreneur) from another immigration category, the table below shows how you can score points.

Access to investment funds

You have access to not less than £200,000

or

You have access to not less than £50,000 from:

  • 1 or more registered venture capital firms regulated by the Financial Services Authority;
  • 1 or more UK entrepreneurial seed funding competitions listed as endorsed on the UK Trade and Investment website, or
  • 1 or more UK government departments or devolved government departments in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland, which have made the funds available for the specific purpose of establishing or expanding a UK business.

or

You have access to not less than £50,000 and:

  • are applying for leave to remain; and
  • have, or were last granted, leave as a Tier 1 (Graduate entrepreneur) migrant.

or

You have access to not less than £50,000 and:

  • are applying for leave to remain; and
  • have, or were last granted, leave as a Tier 1 (Post-study work) migrant; and
  • were registered with HM revenue and Customs as self-employed, or a registered director of a new or existing business no more than 3 months before your application; and
  • are engaged in business activity, other than the work necessary to administer your business. Your occupation must appear on the list of occupations at the National Qualifications Framework level 4 and above, as stated in the codes of practice for Tier 2 sponsors.
25 points
These funds are held in 1 or more regulated financial institutions 25 points
These funds are disposable (free to spend) in the UK 25 points
English language
You can speak English to the required standard 10 points
Maintenance
You have enough money to support yourself while you are in the UK 10 points


You may also need to meet an additional requirement if you are in the UK as a Tier 4 student, or in one of the student categories under the Immigration Rules that were in place before March 2009.

Extension applications

If you are already in the UK under Tier 1 (Entrepreneur), or as a business person or innovator under the former Immigration Rules, the table below shows how you can score points to extend your stay under Tier 1 (Entrepreneur).

Investment in UK business
You have invested, or had invested on your behalf, not less than £200,000 in cash directly into one or more businesses in the UK

or

You have invested, or had invested on your behalf, not less than £50,000 in cash directly into one or more businesses in the UK (if you were awarded points in your initial application for having funds of £50,000 from registered venture capital firms, entrepreneurial seed funding competitions or UK government departments or devolved government departments in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland for the purpose of establishing or expanding a UK business)

 20 points
Registered as a director or as self-employed

You have:

  • registered with HM Revenue & Customs as self-employed; or
  • registered a new business, of which you are a director; or
  • registered as a director of an existing business.

If you are currently in the UK under Tier 1 (Entrepreneur), you must have registered no more than 6 months after:

  • the date when you arrived in the UK under Tier 1 (Entrepreneur), if you applied from abroad and there is evidence of your date of entry to the UK; or
  • the date when you were given a Tier 1 (Entrepreneur) visa, if you applied from abroad and there is no evidence of your date of entry to the UK; or
  • the date when you were first given permission to stay in the UK under Tier 1 (Entrepreneur), in any other case.
 20 points
Engaged in business activity 15 points
You are engaged in business activity at the time of your extension application, and you can prove that within the last 3 months you have been:
  • registered with HM Revenue & Customs as self-employed; or
  • registered a new business in which you are a director; or
  • registered as a director of an existing business.

You are are working in an occupation which appears on the list of occupations skilled to National Qualifications Framework level 4 or above, as stated in the Codes of Practice in Appendix J of the Immigration Rules and the Codes of Practice for Tier 2 Sponsors and you provide the specified evidence in paragraph 41-SD.
Created new jobs

You have:

  • established a new business or businesses that has/have created the equivalent of at least 2 new full-time jobs for people settled in the UK; or
  • taken over or joined an existing business(es), and your services or investment have resulted in a net increase in the employment provided by the business(es) for people settled in the UK by creating the equivalent of at least 2 new full-time jobs.

If you are currently in the UK under Tier 1 (Entrepreneur), the jobs must have existed for at least 12 months of your current permission to stay.

 20 points
English language
You can speak English to the required standard - you will automatically meet this requirement 10 points
Maintenance
You have enough money to support yourself while you are in the UK 10 points


More information

  • Other requirements (general grounds for refusal)

    Even if you meet the requirements described above, we may refuse your application for other reasons (such as your previous immigration history) . For more information about these 'general grounds for refusal', see Chapter 9 of our immigration directorate instructions.

  • Can you switch into Tier 1 (Entrepreneur)?

    If you already have permission to stay in the UK under any of the following categories, you can apply to Tier 1 (Entrepreneur) from inside the UK:

    • Tier 1 (General);
    • Tier 1 (Investor);
    • Tier 1 (Post-study work);
    • Tier 1 (Graduate entrepreneur);
    • business person;
    • innovator;
    • Highly Skilled Migrant Programme;
    • student;
    • student nurse;
    • student re-sitting an examination;
    • student writing up a thesis;
    • work permit holder;
    • postgraduate doctor or dentist;
    • self-employed lawyer;
    • writer, composer or artist;
    • investor;
    • International Graduates Scheme (or its predecessor, the Science & Engineering Graduate Scheme);
    • Fresh Talent: Working in Scotland Scheme;
    • Tier 2;
    • Tier 4; or
    • prospective entrepreneur.

    The following categories can only apply if you have access to at least £50,000:

    • Tier 4;
    • student nurse;
    • student;
    • student writing up a thesis;
    • student re-sitting an examination; or
    • postgraduate doctor or dentist.

    Please see the Requirements for students page for further information.

    If you are in a different immigration category, you will need to leave the UK and make your Tier 1 (Entrepreneur) application from outside the UK.