Graduate Entrepreneur Visa Tier 1
Guidelines for Students
Contents
1.0 Background
2.0 Endorsement process
3.0 Pre-application preparation
4.0 Application requirements
4.1 Business Requirements
5.0 When and how to apply for your visa
6.0 Application Deadlines for those graduating in 2015
7.0 Outcome of application
8.0 Conditions of endorsement
9.0 Process and monitoring following successful applications
10. Extension process
1.0 Background
The UNIVERSITY OF WORCESTER Tier 1 (Graduate Entrepreneur) visa scheme is designed to enable non-European graduates that UNIVERSITY OF WORCESTER identify as having developed genuine and credible business ideas, to extend their stay in the UK after graduation to establish one or more businesses.
UNIVERSITY OF WORCESTER can endorse up to 10 students per year on the scheme and we have been very successful in allocating places to our students.
These guidelines are for candidates who have been recommended for endorsement under the UNIVERSITY OF WORCESTER Tier 1 (Graduate Entrepreneur) visascheme. They are intended to provide an overview of endorsement processes under the scheme to help you consider and prepare your visa application and explain the conditions you must adhere to whilst endorsed byUNIVERSITY OF WORCESTER.
NB while this information is accurate to the best of our knowledge at the time of writing, the immigration rules and guidance change and we may not be able to inform you directly of any changes that may affect you and your visa application. Please familiarise yourself with the Tier 1 (Graduate Entrepreneur) visa information on the gov.uk website:
2.0 Endorsement process
To endorse an applicant for the Tier 1 (Graduate Entrepreneur) visa scheme, UNIVERSITY OF WORCESTERwill issue a letter of endorsement. You cannot apply for your Tier 1 (Graduate Entrepreneur) visa before receiving your letter of endorsement.
Once you receive the letter of endorsement, you must apply within three months of the date on the letter. If you are applying in the UK, your current visa must be valid at the time of application.
3.0 Pre-application preparation
- Makean appointment withthe Student Advisor (Immigration and Finance) to confirm visa status/immigration requirements
- Make an appointment with Student Enterprise Representative by emailing studententerprise@University of Worcester.ac.ukto discuss your business idea.
4.0 Application requirements
- If you have previously held a Tier 1 (Post-Study Work) visa, you will unfortunately not be eligible to apply.
- You can apply for the Tier 1 (Graduate Entrepreneur) visa whilst you are in the UK with a student, or the Tier 4 visa, or you can apply overseas.
- You will need to prove that you have held £945for a consecutive 90-day period in your bank account, prior to submitting your Tier 1 (Graduate Entrepreneur) visa application if you are applying in the UK.
- If you are applying outside the UK you will need to prove that you have held £1,890 for a consecutive 90-day period in your bank account, prior to submitting your Tier 1 (Graduate Entrepreneur) visa application
- If you are applying in the UK and your Tier 4 visa was issued after 13 December 2012 youcan begin to work on your new business as soon as you have applied for your Tier 1 (Graduate Entrepreneur) visa, whilst you are waiting for a decision.
- You can also apply for the scheme if you are a UNIVERSITY OF WORCESTER sponsored Postdoctoral Researcher on a Tier 2 visa
- Eligible individuals will be sponsored by UNIVERSITY OF WORCESTERfor up to 12 months in the first instance with the possibility of an extension for a further 12 months.
- As well as starting your business, any work is permitted on the Tier 1 (GE) scheme except employment as doctor or dentist in training or professional sportsperson (including coach)
- If you have dependents, they can apply for a dependent visa to remain or come to the UK with you while you are on the Tier 1 (GE) scheme. For more details please the GOV.UK website:
- any work permitted except employment as doctor or dentist in training or professional sportsperson (including coach)
4.1 Business Requirements
When endorsed, you will need to set up one of the legal entities listed below as a part of the engagement. If you are not sure or have questions about which legal entity is the best for your business idea, please contact Student Enterprise at UNIVERSITY OF WORCESTER.
- i) Sole Trader
- ii) Partnership (more than 50%)
- iii) Company Registered in the UK (with majority of shares)
Other:
- Business must generate revenue, charities will not be considered
- From the 6th April 2015 applicants are not allowed to engage in businesses principally concerned with property development or property management.
5.0 When and how to apply for your visa
UK Visas and Immigration require you to apply within three months of the date on your letter of endorsement and whilstyour visa is valid if you are applying in the UK. You cannot start working on your business venture until youhave submitted your Tier 1 (Graduate Entrepreneur) visa application,
In order to submit a full application you must do the following:
Submit a completedGraduate Entrepreneur Visa Business Idea Plan Formwith yourCV,highlighting relevant experience,a covering letterexplaining why you wish to apply for a graduate entrepreneur visa and the basic financial spread sheet
Your application will be considered by a panel and you will be notified by email if you get through to the next stage of application;
Successful applicants will be asked to give a 5-minute presentation followed by 10 minutes of questions and answers in front of the panel. Decisions will be communicated within 2 weeks following the panel meetings.
NB: Please be aware that completed applicationswill not be consideredif you have not discussed your idea with the Student Enterprise team and confirmed your eligibility to apply with the bStudent Advisor (Immigration and Finance)
6.0 Application Deadlines
There will be 3 deadlines for applications during the period during the period April to March in any year. These dates will be communicated on the UNIVERSITY OF WORCESTER website: ???
7.0 Outcome of application
The Home Office ultimately decides on whether to grant you the visa.
If granted, your visa should be valid for one year. Generally the Home Office does not inform us directly of theoutcome of your application. Therefore you must notifyRegistry as soon as you receivethe decision and you will be required to bring in your visa so we can copy the original for our records.
If the Home Office refuses your application, you must informRegistry immediately.
Please note that it is unlikely that UNIVERSITY OF WORCESTERwill be able to support a further visa application. This is because we have a limited number of endorsements by the Home Office each year and once an endorsementhas been submitted with a visa application, it cannot be used again.
8.0 Conditions of endorsement
You need to be aware that there arecertain conditions attached to your visa as detailed below. It is very important that you fully understand andcomply with these responsibilities. If you fail to comply, the Home Office requires UNIVERSITY OF WORCESTERto report this,which may result in the curtailment of your visa.
These conditions apply once you receive your new visa and remain until that visa expires or date curtailed.
Start your venture only after making your Tier 1 (Graduate Entrepreneur) application;
Maintain as a minimum,quarterly contact with Student Enterprise representativeRegistry will receive a formal record of this contact. If you are unable to make an agreed contact you mustinform the Student Enterprise representative within 24 hours, explaining why an alternative date is required;
Actively work on developing your business in the UK. The Student Enterprise representative will assess progressat each contact;
Keep to the conditions of your leave;
Do not claim UK state benefits;
Update your Police Registration Certificateif required;
Do not take employment as a Doctor or Dentist in training or professional sportsperson (including a sportscoach);
Inform UKVIand Registryof any ‘change in your circumstances’ (e.g. change in contact details, dependants’details, your name, nationality, appearance);
Whilst not compulsory, we strongly advise that you attend the monthly group meetings organised for graduate entrepreneur visa holders as well as the many events organised by student enterprise.
NB:Please be aware that the decision made by UNIVERSITY OF WORCESTERis final.
9.0 Process and monitoring following successful applications
A representative of the Student Enterprise team will be assigned to you to offer mentoring support.
You will be informed of the expected time scale of progression meetings, As a minimum these will be held quarterly but may be required on a more regular basis, depending on progress
The first meeting should be held following the successful approval and endorsement by the UK Border Agency, and subsequent meetings confirmed at the first meeting with your mentor. Please bring with you a copy of your visa to the first meeting
The mentor will determine the level of progressional evidence that is required for each meeting. The minimum level of documentation required is quarterly written reports of the business as per your set milestones, although monthly reports may be requested.
UNIVERSITY OF WORCESTERmust be satisfied that the graduate is developing the business and working towards its growth and progression, therefore all documentation and evidence of meetings are to be retained along with business reports, by both the mentor and graduate, as required by the UK Border Agency.
Equally, should non-satisfactory evidence be submitted to demonstrate their continuing involvement in the company, business or partnership, or if you are no longer working for that enterprise and have taken up employment elsewhere, UNIVERSITY OF WORCESTERhas the right to revoke the endorsement and report you to UKVI.
Lack of communication, non attendance at the quarterly meetings or lack of suitable evidence of business progression will also be reported to UKVI and will result in your endorsement being revoked.
NB:UNIVERSITY OF WORCESTERis legally obliged to report any non-attendance at progression meetings, should we not be informed in advance.
10. Extension process
After one year, UKVI allows you to apply for one further year to remain in the UK under the Tier 1 (Graduate Entrepreneur) visascheme. This requires further endorsement from UNIVERSITY OF WORCESTERand we must assessthat you are making satisfactory progress in developing your business. Therefore, before your current visa expires you will be required to apply for an extension, details of which can be found in the Student Guidelines for Extensions.
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