If you're thinking of launching a business in the UK, the Startup Visa might be your best path in - but only if you know exactly what to do. This isn't a tourist visa. It's not a work visa. It’s a dedicated route for founders with real, scalable ideas who can prove they’ve got the backing to make it work. And in 2025, the rules are tighter than ever. You don’t need millions in funding. But you do need something more valuable: validation from an approved body.
What Is the UK Startup Visa?
The UK Startup Visa replaced the old Tier 1 (Graduate Entrepreneur) route in 2019. It’s designed for first-time founders who want to build an innovative, viable, and scalable business in the UK. Unlike the Innovator Visa, you don’t need £50,000 in investment capital. You also don’t need prior business experience. But you do need to pass a rigorous endorsement.
This visa lets you live and work in the UK for up to two years. After that, you can switch to the Innovator Visa - if your business is still growing. The key difference? The Startup Visa is for early-stage founders. The Innovator Visa is for those who’ve already proven their model.
It’s not for freelancers. Not for remote workers. Not for people who just want to live in London. You need a business idea that’s new, original, and has real potential to create jobs or grow the UK economy.
Step 1: Make Sure Your Idea Qualifies
The UK government doesn’t care if your idea is cool. They care if it’s innovative, viable, and scalable.
- Innovative means it’s not a copy of something already common in the UK. A mobile app that books dog walkers? Not innovative. An AI tool that predicts pet health risks using wearable data? That’s different.
- Viable means you’ve thought through how it will make money. Who are your customers? What’s your pricing? How will you reach them?
- Scalable means it can grow beyond one person or one city. Can it serve the whole UK? Europe? The world? If your answer is no, you’ll get rejected.
Real examples from 2024 approvals: a SaaS platform helping small farms track soil health using drone imagery, a carbon-tracking tool for UK-based fashion brands, a voice AI for elderly users with dementia.
Step 2: Get Endorsed by an Approved Body
This is the hardest part - and the make-or-break step.
You can’t apply directly to the Home Office. You must get endorsed by one of the UK government’s approved organisations. These include universities, business incubators, and industry groups. Each has its own criteria.
Top endorsed bodies in 2025:
- Universities: Imperial College London, University of Edinburgh, University of Manchester. They often look for tech or science-based ideas with academic roots.
- Business incubators: Techstars London, Entrepreneur First, Startup Britain. They focus on traction, team, and market potential.
- Industry associations: The British Chambers of Commerce, Innovate UK. They prefer ideas with clear public or economic benefit.
Each body has a different application process. Some want a 10-minute pitch. Others require a 15-page business plan and three reference letters. Most charge a fee - usually between £100 and £500.
Pro tip: Don’t apply to 10 bodies at once. Pick one that matches your industry. If you’re in fintech, target London-based fintech accelerators. If you’re in green tech, go for organisations with sustainability mandates.
Step 3: Prepare Your Documents
Once you get endorsement, you’ll need to submit these to UK Visas and Immigration:
- Your endorsement letter (official document from the approved body)
- Valid passport
- Proof of English language ability (B1 level or higher - IELTS, TOEFL, or equivalent)
- Proof of funds: £1,270 in your bank account for at least 28 consecutive days before applying
- TB test results (if you’re from a country on the UK’s list - most non-EU countries are included)
You don’t need to show business bank accounts or invoices. But you must prove you can support yourself for the first few months without income.
Step 4: Apply Online and Attend Your Biometrics Appointment
Apply through the UK government website. The form takes about 45 minutes. Be precise. One typo in your business name or address can delay your application.
After submitting, you’ll get an email to book a biometrics appointment. This is where they take your photo and fingerprints. You can do this at a UK Visa Application Centre - there are dozens across the world, including in major cities like New York, Dubai, and Delhi.
Processing time? Usually 3 weeks if you’re applying from outside the UK. If you’re already in the UK on another visa, it can take up to 8 weeks.
Step 5: Arrive in the UK and Start Your Business
Once your visa is approved, you have 3 months to enter the UK. Don’t delay. Your visa starts counting from the date you arrive, not the date you got approved.
When you land, you must:
- Register with the local council if you’re staying more than 6 months
- Open a UK business bank account (Revolut Business, Tide, or Monzo are popular for startups)
- Register your business with Companies House (you’ll need a UK address - virtual offices are allowed)
- Apply for a National Insurance number - you can’t hire staff or pay taxes without it
Don’t forget: You’re expected to be actively running your business. You can’t just sit on your visa. You’ll need to show progress before switching to the Innovator Visa.
What Happens After Two Years?
Your Startup Visa lasts two years. After that, you have two choices:
- Switch to the Innovator Visa: You need to prove your business is still active, you’ve created at least one job, and you’ve generated at least £100,000 in revenue or raised £50,000 in investment.
- Apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR): You can qualify after five years if you’ve held the Innovator Visa and meet the language and life in the UK test requirements.
Many founders get stuck here. They think the Startup Visa is a one-way ticket to permanent residency. It’s not. It’s a launchpad. You need to grow fast.
Common Mistakes That Get Applications Rejected
Here’s what most applicants get wrong:
- Applying with a business idea that’s already common in the UK - like a food delivery app or a dropshipping store.
- Using a generic business plan copied from online templates. Endorsers can spot these instantly.
- Not proving English skills properly - some applicants submit old IELTS scores that expired.
- Trying to apply while already in the UK on a student visa without checking visa rules.
- Believing that having a UK partner or family member helps - it doesn’t. The visa is based on your business, not your personal connections.
One applicant in Manchester applied with a mobile game idea. The endorsement body said: “We’ve seen 12 similar apps this year. What makes yours different?” He didn’t have an answer. Rejected.
Alternatives to the Startup Visa
If your idea doesn’t qualify, or you’re not ready to commit yet, here are other options:
- Skilled Worker Visa: Requires a job offer from a UK employer with a sponsor license. Not ideal if you want to be your own boss.
- Global Talent Visa: For people with proven excellence in tech, science, or the arts. Requires endorsement from Tech Nation or the Royal Society.
- Scale-up Visa: For people who’ve been hired by a UK-based scale-up company that’s growing fast. Requires a job offer and £33,000 salary.
- Visitor Visa: You can visit to research the market, but you can’t start or run a business on this visa.
Most founders who fail the Startup Visa end up switching to the Innovator Visa later - once they’ve raised funding or found a UK-based co-founder.
Real Costs and Timeline
Here’s what it actually costs to get this visa in 2025:
- Endorsement fee: £100-£500
- Visa application fee: £715
- Health surcharge: £1,150 per year (so £2,300 for two years)
- TB test: £60-£100
- Translation of documents: £50-£150 (if not in English)
- UK address service (for Companies House): £50-£120/year
Total upfront cost: £4,400-£5,500
Timeline from idea to visa approval: 4-8 months, depending on how fast you get endorsed.
Final Tip: Don’t Go It Alone
There are dozens of free workshops in Edinburgh, London, and Manchester run by universities and local councils. They help founders prepare their pitch, review their business plan, and connect with endorsing bodies.
Use them. Talk to people who’ve already done it. Join a startup community. The visa isn’t just about paperwork - it’s about proving you belong in the UK’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.
If you’ve got a real idea, the system is designed to help you. But you’ve got to do the work - and do it right.
Can I bring my family on a UK Startup Visa?
Yes. Your spouse or partner and any children under 18 can apply as dependents. They’ll get the same two-year visa and can work or study in the UK. But they must apply at the same time as you - or within 3 months of your arrival. You’ll need to prove you can support them financially - the funds requirement increases by £285 for a partner and £315 for each child.
Do I need to be a graduate to get the UK Startup Visa?
No. Unlike the old Graduate Entrepreneur route, the Startup Visa doesn’t require you to have studied in the UK. You can apply from anywhere in the world, as long as you have an endorsed business idea and meet the other requirements.
Can I work a second job while on a Startup Visa?
No. The Startup Visa is for founding and running your own business only. You cannot take on paid employment with another company. You can do unpaid internships or volunteer work, but you cannot earn money from any other source. Violating this rule can lead to visa cancellation.
How long does the endorsement process take?
It varies. Some approved bodies respond within 2 weeks. Others take up to 12 weeks, especially universities with high application volumes. Plan ahead. Start contacting endorsing bodies at least 6 months before you want to apply for the visa.
What if my business fails after I get the visa?
If your business fails, you must leave the UK or switch to another visa category. The Startup Visa is not a safety net. You’re expected to actively run your business. If you stop working on it for more than 6 months, your visa status could be reviewed. There’s no grace period - you need a new plan before your visa expires.
