Entering the United Kingdom under a Tier 1 Entrepreneur Visa – for businessmen from outwith the EU looking for investment opportunities whether starting or buying a UK business – has become more difficult.
At it stands, approximately seventy per cent (70%) of Tier 1 Entrepreneur Visa applications are rejected.
The high rejection rate to is thought to be a direct result of the ‘Genuine Entrepreneur Test’, which to ‘pass’, immigration officers must be convinced that the applicant can genuinely start a business here in the UK. Applicants must also satisfy immigration officers that they meet certain investment requirements.
Tier 1 visa applicants need to demonstrate that will invest at least £200,000 into a UK-based business. That said, there are some cases in which, an initial £50,000 investment would be acceptable to UK immigration.
The application rejection rate already high, but it could be about to increase, with Tier 1 applicants now needing to provide evidence of the source of their funds, which they plan to use to invest.
The UK Government suggest the changes will deter fraudulent applications form being made but others would perhaps argue that, instead, the aim is to reduce immigrations levels in the UK.
Commenting, James Brokenshire, who is the British Immigration Minister, stated:
“This government is building an immigration system that is fair to British citizens and legitimate mi-grants and tough on those who abuse the system and flout the law.
“Our reforms have cut net non-EU migration to levels not seen since the 1990s and slashed overall net migration by a third…”
Not everyone shares the Immigration Ministers positivity with regards to the Tier 1 changes. Sanwar Ali, who is the workpermit.com News Editor, stated:
“The refusal rate for Tier 1 Entrepreneur visa applications has gone up and up. Many genuine applications made by experienced businessmen are refused. It seems that under pressure from the Government to try and reduce levels of immigration into the UK the Home Office are refusing applications for no good reason. We have already suggested that the House of Commons Home Af-fairs Committee chaired by Keith Vaz MP may wish to look at the unjust and unfair way in which the Home Office makes decisions on visa applications. We ask again that the Home Affairs committee looks into this issue.”
When a Tier 1 visa is granted, the successful applicant, his/her spouse and his/her children who are under eighteen, can enter the UK for up to 40 months. This period can be extended and should the business investment work out, after five years has passed, the initial applicant (and their family) will gain permanent residence in the UK.
Contact us – Tier 1 Entrepreneur UK Visa Lawyers
Sultan Lloyd’s immigration solicitors can guide your company through the strict criteria you will have to meet in order to obtain your Tier 1 Entrepreneur Visa. We are open from 9am till 5.30pm, Monday to Friday. If you work full time and can’t see us during the week, we offer pre-arranged Saturday appointments for your convenience. To get in touch, call us on: 44 121 726 4733, by mobile on 07961 314 247, email us at [email protected], or click here to make an online enquiry.