New ‘start-up’ visa launched during London Tech Week
The Home Secretary, Sajid Javid, chose London Tech Week to announce a new ‘start-up’ visa route that is expected to be open from Spring 2019. Immigration solicitors have welcomed the new route, which is designed to encourage more entrepreneurs to come to the UK to set up businesses here.
The new visa widens a pool of entrepreneur applicants which was previously limited to graduates only, and promises a faster, smoother visa application process. Applicants will have to have a university endorsement, or from an approved business sponsor, including accelerators.
In announcing the new visa, Sajid Javid explained: “The UK can be proud that we are a leading nation when it comes to tech and innovation, but we want to do more to attract businesses to the UK and our migration system plays a key part in that.
“That’s why I am pleased to announce a new visa for people wanting to start a business in the UK. This will help to ensure we continue to attract the best global talent and maintain the UK’s position as a world-leading destination for innovation and entrepreneurs.
"This initiative builds on other recent reforms to the visa system – including doubling the number of visas available on the Exceptional Talent route to 2,000 per year – and shows the Government’s commitment to making the UK a dynamic, open, globally-trading nation."
The UK has long been a favoured destination for entrepreneurs and start-ups, but the visa rules have sometimes been cumbersome and difficult to navigate, causing frustration and effectively keeping talent out of the UK. It’s a scenario that the tech sector, along with some of the best Immigration lawyers in London have lobbied to change on behalf of clients and potential clients, and it seems that the Migration Advisory Committee has taken notice of the arguments in favour of this new start-up visa.
The government has taken a number of other steps to promote the UK as a dynamic, open, globally-trading nation. While we will need to see the details of this new visa route, initiatives such as this, plus the increase in visas available on the Exceptional Talent route to 2000, are to be welcomed, particularly as Brexit continues to overshadow the UK’s future.
For advice on any aspect of visas and Immigration book an appointment to speak to one of our top London immigration solicitors by calling 0203 959 9123. OTS Solicitors has many years’ experience advising clients on all aspects of business immigration, for employers seeking to recruit from overseas, and individuals seeking to come to the UK to invest and work.