Start-up visas to be introduced for international entrepreneurs
Home Secretary, Sajid Javid, has announced plans for a new entrepreneur style visa known as a ‘start-up’ visa to be introduced from Spring 2019.
This new route will replace the current graduate entrepreneur visa scheme, and will, hopefully, make the process faster and smoother for entrepreneurs wishing to come to the UK.
The government has expressed its desire for the UK to remain a leading nation in technology and innovation, acknowledging that more needs to be done to attract new business.
While details of the new route are yet to be published, we do know that applicants will need to be endorsed by a university or business sponsor. This requirement is welcomed by many, particularly those in the tech industry, where applicants have, historically, found it difficult to comply with the Home Office’s strict entrepreneur requirements.
This announcement is the latest in a series of developments to UK immigration, including the hotly anticipated settled status visa, due in place before the end of the year, and the removal of medical professionals from the limits on restricted certificates for Tier 2 visas.