GOV.UK
1. Overview
You can apply for a Tier 1 (Entrepreneur) visa if:
- you want to set up or run a business in the UK
- you’re from outside the European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland.
- you meet the other eligibility requirements
You must have access to at least £50,000 investment funds to apply.
Fees
How much you pay for a Tier 1 (Entrepreneur) visa depends on your situation, where you are and how you apply.
| Who you’re applying for | Apply online or by post | Apply in person in the UK | Apply in person outside the UK |
|---|---|---|---|
| You | £1,051 | £1,426 | £840 |
| You (if you’re from Croatia, Turkey or Macedonia) | £946 | £1,321 | 756 |
| Partner or child under 18 (applying at the same time as you) | £788 each person | £1,163 each person | £840 each person |
| Partner or child under 18 (applying later), or child aged over 18 | £1,051 each person | £1,426 each person | £840 each person |
How long you can stay
You can come to the UK with a Tier 1 (Entrepreneur) visa for a maximum of 3 years and 4 months.
You can apply to extend this visa for another 2 years if you’re already in this category and 3 years if you’re switching to it from another category.
You may be able to apply for settlement (known as ‘indefinite leave to remain’) once you’ve been in the UK for 5 years.
What you can and can’t do
You can:
- set up or take over the running of 1 business or more
- bring family members with you
You can’t:
- do any work outside your business
- get public funds