Introduction

This visa category has now been closed, with applicants directed to the Innovator Founder route.

The immigration solicitors at Latitude Law are specialists in all UK-inbound work and investment visa categories. We have the knowledge and experience to advice you on all the suitable routes open to you to give you the best chance of success with your application.

To speak to one of our solicitors, call us today on 0300 131 6767 or complete our enquiry form and we will get straight back to you.

What were the requirements for a Start-up visa?

The Start-up visa sat alongside the Innovator category; in common with that route, it required an individual to establish that they have a business idea that is innovative, viable and scalable.

You must have received endorsement from an approved body listed on the government website prior to applying for the visa. The list can be accessed here
Rules required that the endorsing body remained in contact at 6, 12 and 24 months from the grant of leave; they must have informed the Home Office if contact is missed, or if an individual was not making reasonable progress with the business
You must have presented a credible business plan to the Home Office and endorsing body which demonstrated innovation, viability, and scalability. The start-up route did not require any jobs to be created.
You must have held at least £1,270 in a personal bank account for days prior to the date of application. This maintenance requirement had to be certified by the endorsing body. You may not have had to prove this if you had been in the UK with leave in certain categories for over 12 months
You must have satisfied the English Language requirement to Level B2 CEFR

What were the endorsement criteria for the Start-up visa?

You will have been required to gain endorsement from a specified body.

All applicants were required to present a detailed business plan to the endorsing body, alongside any other documentation which was requested to prove that the visa requirements were satisfied:

Innovation – You needed to display that your business plan was innovative, whilst meeting market needs or created a competitive advantage in an existing market
Viability – You needed to show you had or were developing the skills to run a successful business
Scalability – You were required to present evidence that the business had sufficient growth opportunity through structured planning

Why choose Latitude Law?

As a boutique law firm specialising in UK-inbound business immigration, our experts understand the complexity and uncertainty that constantly shifting visa and residence policies create for individuals looking to work and invest in the UK. Our lawyers can provide up-to-the-minute legal advice on what immigration routes are open to business investors since the close of the Start-up visa category.

Thanks to our extensive knowledge of immigration rules, we are able to provide pragmatic advice and meet our clients’ needs. We have connections with the Home Office and other immigration authorities so we can advise you with confidence, and ensure the entire immigration procedure runs smoothly and efficiently for you.

Working with a law firm can be a big decision, which is why we ensure that our clients are at the heart of everything we do. We are a highly driven team that is dedicated to providing clear and reliable immigration advice.

We are pleased to be recognised as a leading law firm by the following independent bodies: The Times Best Law Firms 2024, Chambers & Partners 2024, Legal 500 2024 and Who'sWhoLegal 2024. These endorsements from the international legal directories demonstrate our integrity and success in dealing with difficult cases. We are also proud of our 5-star Google reviews from over 150 highly satisfied clients.

Call us today on 0300 131 6767 or fill out our enquiry form and we will get straight back to you. Let our legal experts guide you through the alternative immigration routes to the now closed Start-up visa category.

Contact us

As the Start-up visa route is no longer open to new applications, you should seek specialist advice from an immigration solicitor before deciding which alternative immigration visa category to apply for. Latitude Law’s specialist lawyers can guide you through your options based on your individual circumstances and ensure that your application has the very best chance of being granted.

Get in touch with our legal team today on 0300 131 6767 or fill out our enquiry form and we will get straight back to you. Face your future knowing you have the dedicated support of one of our expert lawyers.

Our other relevant visa services

Innovator Founder Visa

The Innovator Founder visa route replaced the Start-up and Innovator routes in 2023. It is essentially a hybrid of the two. It is now the only route for foreign entrepreneurs to enter the UK to establish a new business. It is also available to those who have significantly contributed to an existing business.

Importantly the new route requires no minimum financial investment, but the individual will have to secure endorsement from an approved organisation before an application can be made to the Home Office.

Skilled Worker Visa

A Skilled Worker visa is available for skilled workers of all nationalities that have been offered a position from an eligible UK company who is a registered sponsor. This route can lead to settlement and applicants can be joined by dependent partners and children.

Investing in the UK

With the abrupt closure of the Tier 1 (Investor) route in February 2022, the options for obtaining a visa solely on the basis of investing in the UK were sealed with it. Only those who already hold leave on this route will be able to continue through to settlement. The deadline for most extension applications is 17 February 2026, with settlement applications to be made by 17 February 2028.