Check if you need a UK visa: Information based on your answers
You need a visa to start a business
Based on your answers, you might be eligible for 4 visas.
Innovator Founder visa If you're an experienced businessperson and have an innovative business idea
You may be able to start a business if you have:
- a business idea that’s different from anything else on the market
- your idea assessed by an ‘endorsing body’
Need a job offer
No
Need a minimum salary
No
Need knowledge of English
Yes
You must usually prove you can read, write, speak and understand English
Initial visa length
Up to 3 years
Can extend
Yes
You can extend as many times as you want, as long as you're still eligible
Can settle
Yes - after 3 years
Settling means you can live permanently in the UK. If you successfully apply, you can use this status to apply for citizenship
Global Talent visa If you’re a leader or potential leader in your field
You may be able to start a business if you work in one of the following fields:
- academia or research
- arts or culture
- digital technology
You can also be an employee, self-employed and a director of a company.
Need a job offer
No
You can find work once you're in the UK
Need a minimum salary
No
Need knowledge of English
No
Initial visa length
Up to 5 years
Can extend
Yes
You can extend as many times as you want, as long as you're still eligible
Can settle
Yes - after 3 or 5 years
Settling means you can live permanently in the UK. If you successfully apply, you can use this status to apply for citizenship
UK Expansion Worker visa (Global Business Mobility) If you’re setting up your company’s first UK branch or subsidiary
You may be able to set up your company’s first UK branch or subsidiary.
The eligibility criteria include working in an eligible job.
Need a job offer
Yes
Your overseas employer will need a licence to sponsor you to work in the UK
Need a minimum salary
Yes
How much you need to be paid depends on the work you do
Need knowledge of English
No
Initial visa length
Up to 1 year
Can extend
Yes, up to a maximum stay
You can stay for up to 2 years on this visa. To stay longer, you may be able to switch to another visa
Can settle
No
Settling means you can live permanently in the UK. If you successfully apply, you can use this status to apply for citizenship
Find out more about the UK Expansion Worker visa (Global Business Mobility)
High Potential Individual (HPI) visa If you've recently graduated from a top global university
You may be able to live and work in the UK. You can be an employee, self-employed or a director of a company.
The eligibility criteria include having a qualification from an eligible university in the last 5 years.
Need a job offer
No
You can find work once you're in the UK
Need a minimum salary
No
Need knowledge of English
Yes
You must usually prove you can read, write, speak and understand English
Initial visa length
2 to 3 years
3 years with a PhD or doctoral qualification, otherwise 2 years
Can extend
No
To stay longer, you may be able to switch to another visa
Can settle
No
Settling means you can live permanently in the UK. If you successfully apply, you can use this status to apply for citizenship
Find out more about the High Potential Individual (HPI) visa
Your answers
- What’s your nationality as shown on your passport or travel document?
- Austria
- Change What’s your nationality as shown on your passport or travel document?
- What are you coming to the UK to do?
- Work, academic visit or business
- Change What are you coming to the UK to do?
- How long are you planning to work in the UK for?
- longer than 6 months
- Change How long are you planning to work in the UK for?
- Are you planning to work in any of these types of job?
- I want to start a business
- Change Are you planning to work in any of these types of job?