Innovator visa (7 alternatives) 🇬🇧 ✅️

Описание: The alternatives to an innovator visa are:

👍 A start-up visa. This only secures 2 years leave, as a maximum, and it does not lead to settlement in the UK. You would normally need to switch onto a settlement route, i.e. to an innovator visa, in order to settle in the UK. So you might as well apply for an innovator visa at the beginning, assuming you qualify.

👍 Exceptional talent / promise. This secures settlement after 3 years (talent) or 5 years (promise). Many are too modest to think they could qualify. But there are many who do, e.g. those switching from ICT in the UK, e.g. if they have been working on the UK's mobile telephone infrastructure. I have encountered many in this position. The criteria under exceptional promise are relatively low and if you are e.g. in the digital technology space it is definitely worth looking into. The quotas are rarely if ever met, and governing bodies like Tech Nation may consider you favourably if you are in a position to produce strong references.

👍 A sole representative visa (also called 'representative of an overseas business' visa). For this you need to have an overseas business which has a business case for international expansion to the UK. The turnover needs to be significant enough to support this proposition. You will not find this in the Immigration Rules, but it is the practical reality. The key restriction here which is a barrier for some of my owner-manager clients, is that your shareholding should not be more than 50%. In practice, if your shareholding is over 30% then your application may well be refused for ancillary reasons. The route is designed for senior employees and does not tend to fit well with owner-managers of businesses all of the time.

👍 An intra-company transfer visa. This is not really a viable alternative, in that it does not lead to settlement. You can stay for 5 years, then for a further 4 if you are earning over £120k. Again, there will be the issue of switching onto a settlement route, which brings one right back to the innovator visa.

📧 I am happy to help with your visa and citizenship options. Please contact me through the details here: https://tom-bradford.com/contact-me/