Innovation comes from all walks of life, from all over the world.
Start-Up Visa
The Start-Up Visa is a 2-year visa route (established in Spring 2019) which is for early-stage, but high potential, entrepreneurs who are starting a business in the UK for the first time. It replaced the Tier 1 (Graduate Entrepreneur) visa scheme.
The Start-Up Visa is for people setting up a new business in the UK which is innovative, viable and scalable, with the ultimate aim that the business has the potential to become fully integrated and a contributing part of the UK economy.
People who have previously established a business in the UK or spent 2 years on the Tier 1 (Graduate Entrepreneur) or Start-Up categories are not eligible. We require that you thoroughly read the Home Office information (especially the policy guidance) and our Information Pack and FAQs documents in the Important Documents section in advance of submitting an application.
In advance of an application window, we recommend the following to ensure your business idea and application are as strong as possible:
- Read pages 9-10 of the Start Up Visas Info Pack in the Important Documents section to further strengthen your customer research and idea validation
- Familiarise yourself with our Application Questions in the Important Documents section (subject to change)
- Book an Idea Feedback session with a member of the EI team to discuss your idea and get feedback and advice.
We are not currently accepting applications for the Start-Up Visa.
Innovator Visa
The Entrepreneurship Institute is a new endorsing body for the Innovator visa route, and are providing endorsements on a rolling basis.
We are only endorsing applications from applicants who we have previously endorsed under the Start-Up route, or alternatively are already part of our existing communities. If this does not apply to you, we might still consider your application - apply here.