Tier 1 Graduate Entrepreneur

The Tier 1 Graduate Entrepreneur is an immigration route  designed specifically for migrants who have been endorsed by their universities as having credible business ideas that will be beneficial to the United Kingdom. To apply for a Tier 1 Graduate entrepreneur visa, the following must apply:-

• Must have been a student of a higher education institution in the UK
• Must have finished, passed and been awarded a degree from the UK institution
• Have a credible business idea which you want to build and grow in the UK
• Must been endorsed by a participating institution. In this case would be the university the prospective applicant has just graduated from

The process

Endorsement: - The first phase of the Tier 1 Graduate Entrepreneurship process begins with the applicant been endorsed by his university. Please make sure you university has been endorsed and is recognised by the UKBA for participating in the Tier 1 Graduate Entrepreneur Scheme. Universities that are involved in this are called participating institutions.

Participating institutions would normally have their internal laid down process of determining qualification. These procedures would have normally been endorsed or okay’d by the Home Office. This is usually the criteria for them been accepted under this scheme

Endorsement is usually takes the form of an endorsement letter written by the University stating their endorsement of the applicant for the Tier 1 General application.

Visa application

The next step after endorsement is to apply for the Graduate Entrepreneur visa. In your visa application, you will normally include proofs that you have completed your study, have passed and been awarded.

In addition to the above mentioned, you will also need to show that you meet the maintenance requirements. This means that you must have kept at least the sum of GBP 945 in your personal bank account for a minimum of 90 days. Please note that the sum above quoted above (GBP 945) is correct as at the time of writing this piece and is only applicable for in-country application.

For out of country applications you will need the sum of GBP 11,890 to be held in your personal bank account for 28 days. In addition, you will also need to pay the new HIS fee. Note also, that these figures are only correct as at the time of writing this web page.

It is important to note also, that your endorsement letter must be used within three months from the date it was issued.

Can my Dependants apply with me on a Tier 1 Graduate Entrepreneur visa

Yes! Your dependants can apply with you. Your dependants will strictly include your spouse and/or your child. Importantly children above the age of 18 can no longer apply as dependants under this route.

Also, your dependants who may already be in the UK can also switch to depend on your visa; as dependants of a Tier 1 Graduate Entrepreneur.