Services For Corporate Sector
Business Immigration Visas:
Business Immigration Visas:
Start up visa:
The Start-up visa category is for early-stage but high potential entrepreneurs who are launching their business in the UK for the first time. It’s an attractive option because applicants do not need to invest any funds in their business at this stage. However, they need to have an “innovative, viable and scalable” business idea, assessed by an endorsing body.
The endorsing body must confirm that they have assessed the business on the following criteria:
Innovation: The applicant must have a genuine, original business plan that fulfils new or existing market needs and/or creates a competitive advantage.
Viability: The startup has, or is actively developing, the required skills, knowledge, experience and market awareness to run the business in a successful manner.
Scalability: The applicant must show evidence of structured planning and potential for job creation and growth into national markets.
The applicant needs to score 70 points, obtained thus:
Business is innovative, viable and scalable (25 points)
The applicant has not previously established a business in the UK (25 points)
English language at level B2 (10 points)
Financial requirement (10 points)
Applicants can stay for 2 years if they have come to the UK on a Start-up visa or have switched to the Start-up visa from another visa while in the UK.
The visa doesn’t lead to settlement but the applicant can progress to the innovator category.
Innovator visa:
The UK Innovator Visa is a visa category for more experienced business people looking to set up an innovative business in the UK and with the ability to invest a minimum of £50,00. The innovator will also need support from an endorsing body.
The criteria for innovators are tougher than those for a start-up. The immigration rules specify the following to be eligible for the Innovator visa:
Innovation: The applicant has a genuine, original business plan that meets new or existing market needs and/or creates a competitive advantage.
Viability – The applicant must demonstrate necessary skills, knowledge and experience, plus market awareness, to run the business competently.
Scalability – Evidence of structured planning and the potential for job creation and growth into national and international markets.
Sponsor Licence Application
With ever-changing visa and immigration policies, it is becoming more challenging to employ foreign migrant employees. If a UK employer wishes to employ a skilled foreign national, they have to apply for a sponsor licence. The sponsor licence is granted by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI), using a relatively new points-based system.
Beginning January 1, 2021, sponsors also need a licence to employ EEA and Swiss citizens coming to the UK.
If the sponsor licence application is successful, UKVI will grant a licence rating to the employer and also list them in the official register of sponsors. The sponsor licence has a validity of four years if the compliance terms are met.
Yet, the sponsor licence in itself is no guarantee for the prospective employee to be permitted an entry into the UK. Once a sponsor licence application has been successful, the employer can then issue Certificates of Sponsorship which an employee will have to include with the application.
UKVI also audits the compliance of sponsors for some categories and it is important to comply with the regulations and sponsorship duties.
Applying for a sponsor licence therefore is a complex process. UKVI insists on applications being accompanied with highly specific evidence and documentation. Typically, employers use the services of immigration experts such as West End Consultants to help them through the process. We can provide the professional expertise to make sure this happens the first time, speeding things up and saving you money.
If you’re considering employing a foreign national – whether they already work for you in some capacity, or are being newly hired to fill a position – we can help with the applications for your company and for the employee.
We have a team of experts with experience of working on sponsor applications. Contact us today on 020 3713 7052 and we’ll be happy to help ensure a successful application.
West End About Us
About Us
At West End, we strive to rise above and beyond our clients’ expectations in everything we do. We are a leading immigration consultancy firm and specialise in bespoke immigration and visa support for businesses and individuals.
With an experience of over 10 years, we have expertise in all areas of UK immigration and nationality law. Our advice is practical, effective and affordable and works towards the best interest of each client.
Our offices are in Harrow, London and you can easily access them using the nearest Tube station, Harrow on the Hill. We also provide in-person consultation for clients in locations across London, where necessary.
West End Consultants is regulated by the OSIC (Office of Immigration Service Commissioner), and our team of experts are ready and eager to help. Whether you’re a business, organisation or individual, we’ll deliver the service you need.
Why Choose Us?
The current immigration landscape is challenging and complicated. Often, there are misleading and contradictory opinions for the same visa or immigration query. As an OISC accredited consultancy, we can help you navigate the complex immigration scenarios easily and offer the best advice and help. Our excellent track-record, impeccable reputation and client testimonials are proof that when it comes to immigration law, West End has your best interests at heart.