Entrepreneur visa (Tier 1)
Family members
Your family members (‘dependants’) can join you if you’re in the UK on this visa. Your family members must apply for their own visa.
A ‘dependant’ is any of the following:
- your partner
- your child under 18
- your child over 18 if they’re currently in the UK as a dependant
Adult family members must provide a criminal record certificate from any country they have lived in for 12 months or more in the last 10 years.
If you or your family are from the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein
If you or your family member started living in the UK by 31 December 2020, your family member may be able to apply to the free EU Settlement Scheme.
The deadline to apply was 30 June 2021 for most people. They can still apply if either:
- they have a later deadline - for example, they’re joining a family member in the UK
- they have ‘reasonable grounds’ for being unable to apply by 30 June 2021 - for example, they had an illness or were the victim of domestic abuse
Check who can still apply to the EU Settlement Scheme.
Savings
You must show that your dependants can be supported for the first 12 months that you are in the UK. You must have £1,890 for each dependant.
You must have proof you have the money, and that it’s been in your bank account or your dependant’s bank account for at least 90 days before you or they apply. Proof can be:
- bank statements
- a building society pass book
- a letter from bank
- a letter from a regulated financial institution
Example
You must have £3,780 if you want to bring your partner and one child to the UK (£1,890 for your partner and £1,890 for your child).
Fees
For each person applying it costs:
- £1,486 if you apply when you’re in the UK
- £1,191 if you apply when you’re outside the UK
If your family member is applying from within the UK, they may be able to pay an extra £1,000 for the super priority service to get a faster decision.
Dependants applying outside the UK
Your family members must apply online.
They’ll need to have their fingerprints and photograph taken at a visa application centre (to get a biometric residence permit) as part of their application.
They’ll have to collect their biometric residence permit within 10 days of when they said they’d arrive in the UK (even if they actually arrive at a later date).
They may be able to get their visa faster or other services depending on what country they’re in - check with the visa application centre.
If your child is over 18 they cannot apply if they are outside the UK. They can apply from inside the UK if they are already here as your dependant.
Dependants applying in the UK on their own
Your dependants can apply to extend or switch their visas to stay with you if they’re already in the UK. Dependants must either:
They can apply at any time before their current visa expires.
Family members cannot apply in the UK as your dependant if they hold a visitor visa.
Providing biometric information and supporting documents
When they apply, they’ll be asked to make an appointment at a UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services (UKVCAS) service point to provide their biometric information (their fingerprints and a photo).
They’ll also need to submit their supporting documents. They can:
- upload them into the online service
- have them scanned at their UKVCAS appointment
They must not travel outside of the UK, Ireland, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man until they get a decision. Their application will be withdrawn if they do.
How long it takes to get a decision
A decision will be made within 8 weeks of your application date if you use the standard service.
If you use the super priority service a decision will be made:
- by the end of the next working day after your UKVCAS appointment if your appointment is on a weekday
- 2 working days after your UKVCAS appointment if your appointment is at the weekend
Working days are Monday to Friday, not including bank holidays.
They’ll be contacted if their application is complex and will take longer, for example:
- if their supporting documents need to be verified
- if they need to attend an interview
- because of their personal circumstances (for example if they have a criminal conviction)
Once they’ve applied they can stay in the UK until they’ve been given a decision, as long as they applied before their last visa expired.
Get help to apply online
Your family can get help with completing the online form if they:
- do not feel confident using a computer or mobile device
- do not have internet access
Your family can only use this service if they’re applying to extend or switch to your visa in the UK.
You cannot get immigration advice through this service.
Children born while you’re in the UK
If you have children while you’re in the UK, you can apply online to add them to your visa as your dependant.
You must do this if you want to travel in and out of the UK with them.
You’ll need to provide a full UK birth certificate for each child, showing the names of both parents.