Startup Visa

Start-Up Visa

Application for the Start-up visa is no longer possible

If you wish to come to the UK for business purposes and start your own business, you might be eligible for getting an Innovator Founder visa.

If you already hold a start-up visa

It is also possible to apply for your partner and children to join you.

If you are thinking of staying longer in the UK for business and your visa is expiring, you can apply for an Innovator Founder visa.

Dependents

Your partner and children will also be able to apply to come to join you or remain in the UK as your ‘dependents’ if they meet the requirements.

If your partners or child has applied for the visa, his or her visa will normally expire on the same date that your visa expires. If the parents of the child have visas of different validity, then the visa of the child will expire on the date specified first.

A dependent partner or child may include:

·        your husband, wife, civil partner, or unmarried partner

·        your child under 18 - including if they were born in the UK during your stay

·        your child over 18 if they’re currently in the UK as your dependent

Applicants will need to show proof of evidence of relationship with the dependent when they apply.

Your partner

You must be able to prove one of the following:

•  You are in a civil partnership or marriage recognized under the law of the UK. 
•  You have been in a recognized relationship for at least 2 years when you fill out the application. 
•  You apply when you have been dating for at least two years but you do not share residence for example because you have a job or school in different residences, or your culture does not allow that. 

 If you’re not living together, you’ll need to prove that you have an ongoing commitment to each other, for example, by providing evidence that you:

•  interact strongly and frequently with the other 
•  support each other financially 
•  support any child that you both have. 
•  dating time when a man and a woman who are in a relationship are together for example on a holiday or occasion. 

Your child

If your child is 16 or over. They must:

• These have imposed requirements that require your child to live with you except they are attending boarding school.
• not be married or in a civil partnership or have kids.
• Get monetary support from you

You have to, in addition, provide proof of your address such as

• Bank statements
• Credit card bills
• Driving licenses
• The registration documents of NHS, letters from the university/college they attend, or any other official correspondence.
• Official letter from the university

Money for Dependents Financial Support

Dependents should have a sustainable amount of money while in the UK

You, or your partner or child, will need:

·        £285 for your partner

·        £315 for one child

·        £200 for each additional child

Example

You, or your partner or a child, would need £600 to bring your partner and one child to the UK with you (£285 for your partner, £315 for a child). 

You would also need to have £1,270 stowed to support yourself for your application. 

For example, if you or your partner or child wanted to buy something, for spending to count, you’d need to have had the money to do so for 28 days straight. 

Day 28 must be within 31 days of you or them making the application for this visa. 

 You’ll usually need to show proof of this when they apply, unless either:

•  all of you have been in the United Kingdom with a legal permit for attaining a minimum period of 12 months. 
•  your employer can meet the costs of your dependents during your first month in the UK this should be stated in the certificate of sponsorship 

 If your partner or your child intends to apply at a different time than you, then you will only require proof of having £750 or equivalent in foreign currency in the last month only if the applicant has been in the UK for less than 1 year.

Apply from outside the UK

Your dependents must either:

·        apply online as your partner

·        apply online as your child 

The member of the family who intends to travel will have to fill out a form and also pay for the visa fee individually. Applicants have to apply before they visit the United Kingdom. 

They will also require the application number; this is available once you submit your application. This number is referred to as either a Global Web Form (GWF) or a Unique Application Number (UAN). 

You get to see it being used in emails and letters from the Home Office concerning your application. 

As part of the application process, they will need to provide their fingerprints and a photograph at a visa application center – this is getting a biometric residence permit. 

Apply From Inside the (Switch) 

Your partner or child will retain their visa permit until its expiration date if you opt for visa transfer. Your partner or child needs to apply to switch their visa, either:

• at the same time as you
• at any time before the expiry of their current visa

This includes children below 18 years of age but who have turned eighteen during your stay.

Who Cannot Apply to Switch to This Visa?

Those in the UK cannot apply to switch to this visa:

·        on a visit visa—except you've been doing permitted activities as a sportsperson.

·        on a short-term student visa

·        on a Parent of a Child Student visa

·        on a seasonal worker visa

·        on a domestic worker in a private household visa

·        on immigration bail

·         Due to compassionate grounds, for example, you were allowed to remain outside of the immigration regulations.

How to apply

The application form will inform whether a partner and children can also join the application or they should fill in the application individually.

If your partner or child apply separately, they’ll need to either:

·        switch to a Start-up visa as your partner

·        switch to a Start-up visa as your child

They with require your application number – you should get this when you complete your application. This number is called a Global Web Form (GWF) or a Unique Application Number (UAN). You will come across it in usage in emails and letters from the home office concerning your application.

As a part of the application, they will have to register for a biometric appointment at the UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services (UKVCAS) to provide their fingerprints and a photograph.

They will also have to produce their documents of support. They can:

• transfer them to the online service
• tell them to attend UKVCAS to have them take pictures and scans.

Decision Timeline

It is possible to pay to get a faster decision - they’ll be told if they can when they apply.

Children Born in the UK

 Note that children born in the UK do not automatically become British citizens.

Make sure you apply for your child's dependent visa if you want to travel in and out of the UK with them.

Ensure to provide the necessary documents such as a UK birth certificate that shows both parents' names. 

You must apply for their dependant visa before they turn 18 if they want to stay in the UK.

Restricted and Permitted Activities for Dependents

What they can do:

·        work, except as a sportsperson or coach

·        study

·        travel abroad and return to the UK

They cannot apply for most benefits (public funds), or the State Pension.

A concise list of permitted and restricted activities will be sent to you after the application is successful.

Contact Visa Nexa for Immigration Assistance

Need UK immigration Assistance for an International Sportsperson visa? Visa Nexa Inc. is here to help. We can assess your eligibility and submit your application to the UK government. 

With 10 solid years of experience, Visa Nexa located in Mississauga, Ontario has been helping clients achieve their dream of becoming Canadians. Our head offices are in Delhi (VISAWALK) and Chandigarh (The Mentors). Reach out to us today and take the first step toward your new life in Canada!

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