Entrepreneurs
Initial applications
This section explains how you can make your initial application (this includes switching) to the entrepreneur category of our points-based system to work in business in the United Kingdom.
On this page
- How to apply if you are already in the United Kingdom
- The immigration categories from which you can switch into the entrepreneur category
- The conditions you must meet to extend your stay if you apply and are already in the United Kingdom
- How to apply if you are in the Channel Islands or Isle of Man
- How to apply if you are outside the United Kingdom
- The conditions you must meet if you apply from outside the United Kingdom
It applies if you are in the United Kingdom in any category except as an entrepreneur (Tier 1 Entrepreneur) or in the business person and innovator categories. If you are already in either of these two categories, you should read the section on extension applications.
You should read the section on eligibility first, to make sure you meet the requirements to apply.
How to apply if you are already in the United Kingdom
The process for applying is:
Step 1: complete a self-assessment online using our points-based calculator to find out if you are likely to score enough points.
Step 2: fill in the entrepreneur application form.
Step 3: send it to us with your fee and supporting evidence.
We strongly advise you to send all supporting documents with your application. We will not consider any evidence sent in after we have made a decision.
If you are sending any dependant applications at the same time as your own application, we encourage you to send your application and dependant applications in the same envelope.
The immigration categories from which you can switch into the entrepreneur category
If you are in the United Kingdom and wish to enter as an entrepreneur, you will need to be sure that you can switch into this category.
Switching into this category is allowed if you currently hold leave in the following categories:
- a skilled worker (tier 2 General);
- an intra-company transferee (tier 2);
- a minister of religion (tier 2);
- a sportsperson (tier 2);
- a highly skilled migrant;
- a highly skilled worker (tier 1);
- an investor (tier 1);
- a post-study worker (tier 1);
- a business person;
- an innovator;
- a student;
- a student nurse;
- a student re-sitting an examination;
- a student writing up a thesis;
- a work permit holder;
- a postgraduate doctor or dentist;
- a self-employed lawyer;
- a writer, composer or artist;
- an investor;
- a participant in the International Graduates Scheme or its predecessor, the Science and Engineering Graduates Scheme;
- a participant in the Fresh Talent: Working in Scotland Scheme.
See the section on extension applications for further details. If you are here under any other category, you will not be able to switch into the entrepreneur category. You can find more information on switching on the pages of Working in the UK that are relevant to your category.
If you are granted leave to remain as a entrepreneur, you will be able to live and work in the United Kingdom for a maximum period of three years. When the end of this period approaches you will need to apply to extend your stay as a entrepreneur.
The conditions you must meet to extend your stay if you apply and are already in the United Kingdom
Leave to remain is subject to the following conditions:
- you must have no recourse to public money, which means you will not be able to claim most benefits paid by the state;
- you must register with the police if this is needed by paragraph 326 in part 10 of the immigration rules;
- no employment other than working for the business or businesses that you have established, joined or taken over.
If you are already in the United Kingdom and are sending any dependant applications at the same time as your own application, we encourage you to send your application and dependant applications in the same envelope.
How to apply if you are in the Channel Islands or Isle of Man
The Channel Islands (Jersey, Guernsey, Herm, Sark, and Alderney) and the Isle of Man have their own immigration laws and policies, separate to those of the United Kingdom. For immigration control, we treat these islands as outside the United Kingdom.
If you are living within the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man, and have been granted permission to stay (leave to remain) there by one of the island authorities, you will not be able to make an application for leave to remain in the United Kingdom as an entrepreneur directly from the islands.
In these circumstances, you can apply under Tier 1 (Entrepreneur) in two ways. These are:
- by returning to the country where you are normally resident (your home country) and applying for permission come to the United Kingdom (entry clearance) from there; or
- if your permission to stay on one of the islands is still current, you can come directly to the United Kingdom. Once you are in the United Kingdom, you may apply to switch into Tier 1 (Entrepreneur) provided the immigration category under which you were given permission to stay on the islands is one from which United Kingdom immigration law allows you to switch into Tier 1 (Entrepreneur). This is because, once you have travelled to the United Kingdom, we are able to treat the leave given to you under the island laws as if it had been granted by the United Kingdom authorities.
The immigration categories from which you can switch are listed in the section above. You must make your application to switch into Tier 1 (Entrepreneur) before your current leave to remain in the islands expires.
In certain circumstances, overseas nationals living on the islands must obtain a visa (entry clearance) before travelling to the United Kingdom. You can find these in the immigration directorate instructions, Chapter 1, Section 2.
How to apply if you are outside the United Kingdom
The process for applying if you are outside the United Kingdom is:
Step 1: complete a self-assessment online using our points-based calculator to find out if you are likely to score enough points.
Step 2: go to the visa services website, which you can find on the right of this page, to find out if you must submit any personal details in the country you are applying from electronically, and to find the application form.
Step 3: take or send your form(s), fee and supporting evidence to the visa application centre. You must also arrange to give your biometrics, which are usually taken at the visa application centre.
We strongly advise you to bring all supporting documents with your application. We will not consider any evidence provided after we have made a decision.
If you are granted entry clearance as an entrepreneur from outside of the United Kingdom, you will be able to live and work in the United Kingdom for a maximum period of three years. When the end of this period approaches you will need to apply to extend your stay as an entrepreneur.
The conditions you must meet if you apply from outside the United Kingdom
Leave to remain is subject to the following conditions:
- you must have no recourse to public money which means you will not be able to claim most benefits paid by the state;
- you must register with the police if this is needed by paragraph 326 in part 10 of the immigration rules;
- no employment other than working for the business or businesses that you have established, joined or taken over.
Application forms
Tier 1 (Entrepreneur) - for applications made inside the United Kingdom
- Application for an initial grant of leave (switching) or an extension of leave under Tier 1 (Entrepreneur) - main applicant. Valid from 1 October 2009PDF 1.1MB opens in a new window
- Photograph guidancePDF 325KB opens in a new window
- Tier 1 (Entrepreneur) of the points-based system - policy guidancePDF 523KB opens in a new window