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The UK is one of the world’s most attractive countries to invest and do business in. It is one of the world’s largest financial centers in the world, making it an important financial hub for international investors. The UK maintains this leading position by creating and nurturing a wide range attractive conditions for business designed for investors and investment opportunities.
The tier 1 Investment visa category is designed to encourage wealthy individuals to invest a minimum of £2 million in the UK. In return, the applicant will be granted an initial three-year period of residency in the UK. The holders of this visa are permitted to be employed, study or undertake business activities within the UK.
The source of funds in relation to the investment can come from multiple sources, including but not limited to: sale of a property, a gift, a salary, or other forms of earnings.
The genuineness of the business will be tested under this visa.
For tier 1 investor applicants, there isn’t an English language requirement like other visas. To qualify for this visa, you can invest into the following:
1) UK Government bonds (known as gilts)
2) Shares in limited companies listed in the UK, such as in the FTSE, AIM, etc.
3) Corporate bonds issued by UK situated companies.
4) Investment into private companies
The whole application process can take a matter of weeks, from start to finish. If instructed, we will prepare all your documents using scanned version, ensuring the originals stay with you.
We will take it upon ourselves to book you an appointment with us to discuss your requirements. During this call you have a choice to invest larger amounts into the UK, allowing you to settle into the UK quicker. This settled status is also known as Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) or permanent residency.
For a quicker settlement period, you will have to invest the following amounts:
1) £2 million: permanent residency after 5 years
2) £5 million: permanent residency after 3 years
3) £10 million: permanent residency after 2 years
To then apply for a British Nationality once granted indefinite leave, you will have to wait at least one year.
If you are seeking to establish a business in the UK for the first time, then this is the ideal visa for you. The Start-up visa is the ideal for individuals who have some business experience and want to establish a company within the UK.
The company must have an endorsement to show that the business has been approved as viable and scalable operation for the UK.
You may be eligible to switch to a UK Start-up visa, if you are already in the UK. Those that are eligible to switch over to a Startup visa includes for following:
1) Tier 1 (Graduate Entrepreneur) who have recently graduated
2) Tier 2 Migrants
3) Tier 4 (General) Students
4) Visitors who are here as prospective entrepreneurs.
The requirements for this visa are as follows:
1) A business plan for the business and endorsement from an approved body
2) English language skills at a level of B2
3) Evidence that you have enough funds to maintain yourself and any dependents
4) There is no minimum investment requirement for this visa
5) Evidence that you will not fail the “general grounds for refusal”
The tier 1 innovator visa is ideal choice for skilled foreign nationals from across the world with new business ideas. This visa is designed with individuals that have forward thinking and innovative ideas in mind.
To be eligible for an innovator visa, you must prove to both the Home Office and an endorsing body, that your business is viable, scalable, and innovative. This visa is valid for three years, and you will be able to bring your family over while starting your business.
You will have to apply for an extension to you visa in order to gain settled or citizenship status.
The requirements for this visa are as follows:
1) An endorsement letter from the Home Office and an approved endorsing body to approve your business idea
2) Proof of sufficient finances to support both yourself and any dependents without any recourse to public funds
3) Having access to at least £50,000 which can be allocated for investment into your business
4) Evidence that you won’t fail the ‘general grounds for refusal
5) English language skills at the requisite level.
This visa allows individuals with outstanding skill and leadership qualities in their respective field to come to the UK. This visa aims to encourage leading experts and researchers in the fields of science, engineering, medicine, and the humanities to come to the UK. This visa is also ideal for individuals working in the arts, culture, fashion, or digital technology.
The features for this visa are unique and include:
1) No job offer as a requirement
2) Participants have access to an accelerated pathway to citizenship
3) You can apply for settled status after 3 years of residency if you work in the fields of science, engineering, humanities, or medicine
4) This visa requires an approval letter from endorsing body, including the UK Research and Innovation (UKRI). These endorsements are largely administered by an approved body which includes the Royal Society, the Royal Academy of Engineering, the UK Research, and Innovation (UKRI) and the British Academy
5) Under the Global Talent visa scheme, you will be able to bring your family with you, and they will also have full access to the labour market
6) The applicant can freely travel for research without worrying about the impact on your settlement application
This visa is designed for representative of overseas business looking to represent the business in the UK. You will be permitted to set up a UK branch for the business, or a wholly owned subsidiary. Under this visa, you will be able to stay in the UK for up to 3 years.
The requirements for this visa are as follows:
1) As an applicant you must be recruited by an active business outside of the UK
2) You must have sufficient funds to support yourself, without needing to rely on public funds
3) You must provide evidence showing a full description of the businesses’ activities and assets, along with details of your job and evidence that the applicant holds a senior position within the business
4) You must not be a majority shareholder within the overseas business you are representing
5) You must meet English language requirements.
6) You will be required to pay to have your biometric information taken, and a healthcare surcharge.
Under this visa, you can apply for permission to settle permanently in the United Kingdom, under the assumption it has already been extend for five years. Dependents of the applicant can join, once a genuine relationship can be evidenced (birth, marriage certificates etc.) and adequate maintenance is covered for each dependent.
The sponsorship license is designed to allow employers to employ foreign and migrant workers within their organisation in the UK. Handy Immigration Lawyers will assist you in completing all necessary forms and prepare them for submission. We will also advise you as to what the most appropriate supporting documents are, ensuring that these are all submitted. A cover letter will follow explaining the application and referring to the supporting documents in relation to the rules and guidance.
As an employer you can apply for the following certificates:
1) Restricted certificate: This is used for Tier 2 (general) workers who are applying from outside the UK and will be paid less than £159,600 a year or for family members (dependents) of Tier 4 migrants who are switching within the UK to a Tier 2 visa.
2) Unrestricted certificate: There is no limit on how many certificates the company can get.
An unrestricted certificate only applies for the following:
1) The job is in the shortage occupation list
2) The worker is paid more than £155,300
3) The worker is allowed to switch in country (with the exception of Tier 4 dependent switchers).
To employ an EU national, they will now require sponsorship from their employer in order to secure their Skilled Worker Visa and take up a role in the UK.
The process for EU nationals is somewhat straightforward. First you must complete an online application, within this application you must provide details of the company along with the company structure. You must then attach any supporting documents.
As part of our services, we will complete all necessary forms, prepare them for submission and advise you as to the most appropriate supporting documents Along with guiding you through submission process before the deadline.
Once the Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) has been issued, the prospective employee will then need to make the General Visa application.
Under this route, applicants for the Skilled Worker (Tier 2) Visa can stay in the UK for up to five years. After completing the initial five years, the applicant can then apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain. The applicant’s family can also the then under this visa.
The applicant will need to demonstrate that they have an offer from a company with licensing; and have been provided with a certificate of sponsorship as well as an English language ability and maintenance funds.
Under Tier 2 visa, there is a range of subcategories. These include:
1) Tier 2 (General)
2) Tier 2 Ministers of Religion
3) Tier 2 Sports persons
4) Tier 2 Intra- Company transfers
5) Tier 2 General sponsored workers
The UK Tier 2 Visa is valid for 5 years. The applicant can then extend this if they meet the correct the eligibility criteria.
This visa is designed to support companies who wish to transfer existing employees from abroad into their UK office.
Under this visa, there are different types of Intra-company Transfer Visas:
1) Long term staff
2) Short term staff
3) Graduate trainee
4) Skills transfer
As an employer you will not need to advertise the job role for 28 days. The employee won’t be able to apply for indefinite leave to remain in the UK at the end of the visa period. Applicants under this category must obtain an appropriate salary and certificate of sponsorship. The applicant’s maintenance and English requirements will be assessed by the immigration authorities.
A new visa for healthcare professionals with a job offer from the NHS has been introduced. This visa is fast-tracked to enable those who are already able to speak English and have sufficient training to make an easy transition to working in the UK.
For the following workers, all applicants must have a certificate of sponsorship form.
1) Charity worker visa: This visa is for workers who have a voluntary job offer from a UK charity.
2) Creative and Sporting visa: This visa is for highly skilled workers who have a job offer as a sportsperson or creative worker, such as a musician or actor with the UK.
3) Government authorised exchange visa: For workers coming to the UK through an approved government authorised exchange scheme. Under this visa, you can do work experience, training, academic research or a fellowship. You can also take part in an Overseas Government Language Programme.
4) International Agreement visa: This visa for jobs covered by international law, including embassy and diplomatic household workers. This includes workers under the General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS) and similar agreements.
5) Religious Worker visa: This visa is for workers who have received a job offer, such as preaching or work in a monastery or convent, by a religious order in the UK.
6) Youth Mobility Scheme visa: For workers aged 18 – 30 from a limited number of countries (Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Japan, Monaco, Taiwan, Hong Kong and South Korea).This is designed for workers who wish to live and work in the UK for up to 2 years. This scheme replaced the Working Holiday visa.
The new points-based Immigration system will require those hoping to work in the UK to meet a points-based threshold. You will be required to have at least 70 points under this system and points are awarded to applicants for a number of different reasons.
The new points system has been introduced to attract highly talented foreign nationals, specifically those within the STEM fields. If you meet the following requirements, you will get a specified number of points.
– If you can speak English – 10 points
– If you have a job offer – 20 points
– If you have a job offer with a sufficient skill level – 20 points
– If your salary is ranged between £23,040 – £25,599 – 10 points
– If your salary is over £25,600 – 20 points
– If your job is on the shortage occupation list – 20 points
– If you have a PhD – 10 points
– If you have a PhD in science, technology, maths or engineering – 20 points
It should be noted that if your salary falls between £20,480-£23,039, you will not gain any further points under this system.