GOV.UK
Tier 1 (Entrepreneur) visa
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 outside the UK |
|---|---|---|
| You | £1,093 | £874 |
| You (if you’re from Croatia, Turkey or Macedonia) | £1,038 | £819 |
| All dependants | £1,093 each person | £874 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
- work for your business, including being self-employed, but you should check your work meets the conditions of being self-employed
- bring family members with you
You can’t:
- do any work outside your business, eg work where you’re employed by another business
- get public funds