Are you unsure how to expand your business in the UK? You may have come across many types of business visas in, UK and you may feel lost at times as to which one is best for you. Here is a list of business visa UK types you can choose from:
UK Self-sponsorship Visa
Global Business Mobility Visa
Innovator Founder Visa
UK Business Visitor Visa
UK Paid Permitted Activity
Now let's understand different types of business visas individually so that you can make a better choice while deciding to expand and establish a business in the UK.
UK Self-sponsorship visa:
The UK Self-Sponsorship visa allows an overseas individual who either wants to establish a business or wants to expand the existing business in the UK.
This route is popular for its flexibility, autonomy, and control over your business. Under the Self-Sponsorship route, an individual can sponsor himself/ herself via a skilled worker visa via an already established business in the UK or by establishing a company in the UK.
The Home Office plays an important role in this route. You need to satisfy the home office on the grounds of the genuineness of your business intent and prove that you are paying the employers according to their skill set. And this does not stop here, there are more regulations and compliance that you need to comply with. We have talked about this in detail here.
Global Business Mobility Visa
There are 5 options under the Global Business Mobility Visa for overseas companies who want to establish their presence or relocate their employees to the UK. The options are as follows:
a. Senior or Specialist Worker Visa: This visa is for senior executives or professionals relocating to the UK branch of an international company. It is suitable for people who have unique skills and knowledge that are essential to the success of a UK business. The applicant must receive the confirmed work proposal and meet certain salary requirements and skills.
b. Graduate Trainee Visa: Visa for graduate students: This visa, intended for multinational company employees, is intended for those who follow the structured training program for graduates with British arrangements. It is ideal for junior employees or employees undergoing specialized training programs aimed at more senior positions within the company.
c. UK Expansion Worker Visa: This option is for companies that are planning to expand into the UK but have not yet opened a branch office. This will comply with the establishment of a new British branch by temporary relocation of higher employees. Unlike other routes, this does not require an existing British branch, but employees need to meet the requirements of qualifications and wages.
d. Secondment Worker Visa: visas are for employees who are moving to the UK as part of a high-value contract or investment between an overseas company and a UK organisation. This allows a company to send key staff to the UK to oversee or carry out part of a larger contract.
e. Service Supplier Visa:This visa is for company employees who provide services to the UK on a contractual basis, often under UK trade agreements. It allows the temporary transfer of service providers such as consultants and specialist technicians who play a key role in the delivery of services in the UK.
3. Innovator Founder Visa:
If any Startup entrepreneur wants to start a business in the UK then this category of visa is the best for them. As per its name, the business that you are interested in should be an innovative one that should also be scalable and backed by a solid business plan. You also need to have a third party to endorse the business plan. You need to be heavily involved in the business and should take ownership of the idea. You can live and work in the UK under this visa for 3 years and after completing this time you are eligible to apply for ILR. You are also allowed to bring your dependents (children under the age of 18 only) to the UK.
4. UK Business Visitor Visa
The Business Visitor Visa and several other categories of visitor visas have been combined into one program known as the Standard Visitor Visa. If you need to visit the UK on business, travelers from certain countries will need to obtain a UK Standard Tourist Visa before entering the country. This visa allows you to carry out commercial activities to be appropriate conditions and represent a foreign company in the United Kingdom for up to six months. It also allows you to attend the study within 30 days, if necessary. Regarding creativity, scholars who come to the UK are allowed to stay up to 12 months if they meet the criteria for acceptance. We recommend using a visa to use a visa. This is because a visa may refuse even a small error. If you need to visit the UK regularly in your business for a long time, you can apply for a visa for 2, 5 years, or 10 years. Nevertheless, you can stay for only six months for each visit.
UK Paid Permitted Activity
If you are a professional in your field and have been invited to the UK by a British company or client, then a Certified Paid Engagement Visitor Visa may be the right choice for you. Paid Engagement Visitor Permit Visas are often used by artists, musicians, speakers, and other professionals who wish to visit the UK for a short period. In this article, we explain everything you need to know about visiting the UK for a Certified Paid Engagement. This route is only available to people coming to the UK for approved paid work. The Authorised Paid Employment visa allows certain professionals and experts from other countries who are employed by a paying company or client to come to the UK for up to one month without sponsorship.
Out of all the options above, the UK Self-Sponsorship visa is the best option for you in terms of flexibility, autonomy, and ease. Unlike most of the options above, the Self-Sponsorship route does not require you to invest hefty amounts and a lot of time. Seek Self-Sponsorship visa route if you are planning to settle in the UK with minimum resources.
At AY J Solicitors we have developed a unique and comprehensive package to give our clients peace of mind that they are giving themselves the best chance of success with their UK Self Sponsorship Visa route application. Contact us today to get started.
