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Home >> Visa Information United Kingdom >> Business Visa

Business Visa

Category Form Fee Validity
Business visa VAF1 - non-settlement (See Annexure UK-I) Refer to visa Fee Earlier Minimum 12 months

Who Can Apply
Business visa is issued to an applicant who is:
A sole trader.
A partner in a partnership firm.
A company registered in the UK.

A self-employed doctor or dentist.
Member of legal profession such as Barrister, Solicitor and Consultant of overseas law.
A dependent of above.
Solicitors and law consultants setting up / entering into partnership in an existing practice in the UK, & barristers setting up chambers, can enter the UK if they provide the evidence.

Conditions
When applying as a sole trader, partner or a director of a company registered in the UK
. Applicant must have evidence of having at least £200,000 under his control, which is available to him for use in the UK & which is held in his name and not held by trust or other investment arrangements with aim to invest it in a business in the UK.

Note:
 (a) Important point to be noted is that the money should be under the applicant's direct control and not dependent on any other party to make it available.
(b) The minimum investment of £200,000 may be in the form of direct cash, investment, share capital, or a combination of the two. Shares should be fully paid up.
(c) Investment from or through an off-shore company will not be acceptable, even where the investor is the sale beneficial owner of the off-shore company.
(d) .In case of promissory gifts, the applicant will need to provide an irrevocable Deed of Gift to ensure that the money is under his own control.
Applicant must have evidence of having sufficient extra funds to support self and any dependants, and live without having recourse to public funds or taking employment (other than work for the business) until the business earns him income.
Applicant must prove that he will be actively involved full-time in trading or providing services on own account or in partnership, or in promoting & managing the company as a director.

Note: Important point to be noted is that the applicant should be actively involved full-time in running the business. To satisfy this condition the applicant should be economically active as a businessperson and not using investment merely as a means of residence in the UK.
Applicant must be capable enough in keeping a level of financial investment proportional to the-interest in the business.
Applicant must have either a control or equal interest in the business, and any partnership or directorship must not amount, to disguised employment (that is when a person claims to be running business but is really an employee).
Applicant must be in a position to afford share of any liabilities. Applicant must be able to prove that the investment and services that he plans to provide are genuinely needed in the UK.
Applicant must demonstrate that share in profits from the business that he expects to receive, will be sufficient to support self and any dependants, and live without needing any help from public funds or taking employment (other than the business). Applicant must satisfy the authorities that he does not intend to take or look for any other employment in UK other than the work for the business.

When taking over or joining as a partner or director in an existing business:
Applicant must be able to provide:
. Written statement of the terms on which he will join or take over the business.
. Audited accounts of the business for previous years.
. Evidence that the applicant's services and investment will lead an overall increase in the employment and the business will create at least two new full-time jobs for people already settled in UK.
Note: The minimum of 2 full-time jobs which will be created by the applicant's involvement in the business should be substantive posts, and not created at the expense of existing staff in order to comply with the requirement of the rule.

When setting up a new business in the UK
Applicant must be able to provide evidence that:
. The applicant will bring sufficient funds to the UK to set up the business and such funds will be his/her own funds.
. The applicant's business will create at least two new full-time jobs for people already settled in the UK.
Note: The above conditions are also applicable to self-employed doctors and dentists.

When applicant is a Barrister
. Applicant must produce a letter of admission from the General Council of the Bar or evidence that the applicant has a place in chambers.
. Applicant must be able to produce evidence of having sufficient funds to meet a share in the cost of rent and salaries of the staff.
Note: Barristers setting up chambers are not allowed by their professional rules to establish a partnership and are therefore treated as self-employed.

When applicant is a Solicitor
. Applicant must produce a letter of admission to the Roll of Solicitors from the appropriate law society.
. Applicant must be able to produce evidence of having sufficient funds to set up a new practice or enter into partnership with existing practice from which a profit share is to be received by him.

When applicant is a Consultant in overseas law i.e. an expert of overseas legal system
Applicant must be able to produce:
. Evidence of the qualifications
. Letter from the appropriate law society confirming that there is no objection to give entry clearance to the applicant for this purpose.
. Evidence of having sufficient funds to set up a new practice or enter into partnership with an existing practice from which a profit share is to be received by the applicant.
Note: Solicitors, barristers and law consultants will be dealt with as persons intending to establish themselves in business but the requirements of investment and job creation are waived. Whereas, requirement for accommodation and maintenance is same as for other types of business.

Additional Documents Required
Applicant should submit all the available documents proving the qualification & eligibility to enter UK for this visa.
Applicant is advised to read the conditions as explained above carefully and fulfill the conditions with supporting documents.

Note: Husband, wife or eligible partner and children under 18 can accompany the Business visa holder as dependants in the UK. Conditions and documents required remain same as explained in 'Overseas Domestic Worker' above. Applications under Business category are referred to the Business Casework Unit ICD, Home Office, and Corydon for final decision.
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