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The UK has long been one of the most attractive places in the world to do business. Entrepreneurs, investors, professionals have been coming here to set up and grow commercial ventures for centuries. The immigration system provides several routes for those looking to do that now, and at Tower Bridge Legal we advise business clients from around the globe on finding the right one.
The Innovator Founder visa is the main route for experienced business people who want to establish or run a company in the UK. Unlike the old Tier 1 Entrepreneur visa it replaced, this one requires endorsement from an approved body.
You have to show your idea is genuinely innovative, viable and capable of scaling. That extra scrutiny can feel onerous, but endorsement also brings validation and, often, support as you get started. We help clients refine their business plans, identify suitable endorsing bodies, and put together applications that meet the demanding criteria.
The endorsement process means presenting your idea to an approved accelerator, incubator or venture capital firm. They assess whether your business offers something genuinely new rather than a copy of what already exists in the UK, such as whether it can actually work and has growth potential.
Business Plans and Track Record
A strong business plan is essential, but so is evidence of your own experience and track record. The best applications come from people who have done serious homework on the UK market and can explain how their venture will contribute.
For those wanting to invest significant capital without necessarily running a business day to day, the picture has changed. The Tier 1 Investor visa closed in early 2022 amid concerns about the route’s integrity, and there is no direct replacement offering a simple investment-for-residence trade.
Investment can still support an application under other provisions, but the straightforward wealthy-investor pathway is gone. We advise high-net-worth individuals on what options remain and help structure investment plans that satisfy immigration requirements and commercial goals alike.
Global Talent is worth a mention. Endorsed by the Royal Academy of Engineering for business and investment, it targets people who have established themselves as leaders or emerging leaders in technology, engineering or related fields.
Unlike most work routes, it does not require a job offer or a sponsor. You can start a business, take employment, freelance – or all three at once. For the right candidate, it is one of the most flexible and desirable immigration statuses out there.
Business Visas vs Working Visas
Short business visits fall under the standard visitor visa. For example, meetings, conferences, training, site visits. Actual work, such as receiving a UK salary, providing paid services to UK clients, doing productive work that a UK employee would otherwise do would not be accepted. The line between permitted activity and prohibited work is not always obvious. We regularly advise clients who are unsure which side their plans fall on. Misjudging it can mean removal and a ban on re-entry.
It is also worth knowing that nationals of some countries benefit from provisions that are not widely publicised. Turkish nationals, for instance, can apply under arrangements derived from the Ankara Agreement, which offers a route for self-employed people under conditions that differ from the standard Innovator Founder requirements. We have particular experience with these less well-known pathways and make sure every client knows about every route potentially open to them.
Setting up or expanding a business in the UK brings obligations well beyond immigration, such as corporation tax, employment law, licensing, Companies House filings, and HMRC reporting.
Immigration is our core expertise, but we work closely with colleagues in other areas so that business clients receive advice covering the full picture. At Tower Bridge Legal, we see ourselves as part of your team that is invested in your success and committed to clearing the obstacles in your path.
