Our team of immigration lawyers is very experienced and is highly recommended.
Sydney Mitchell is an award winning law firm specialising in assisting individuals and businesses with immigration advice and representation.
Our Team can assist individuals and businesses with a number of corporate and commercial business immigration matters. We also understand that it is necessary for many businesses to bring in talent by employing foreign nationals from abroad.
Andre Minnaar and Melissa Southall have extensive experience dealing with UKVI (UK Visas and Immigration) and making applications. We can save you time, money and the stress whilst guiding you through the process, applications and any future compliance issues.
Examples of the types of visas we can assist with are:
Innovator Founder Visas
This category of visa is for individuals looking to set up or run a business in the UK. It replaces the old Tier 1 Entrepreneur visa.
The route is for new or more experienced entrepreneurs who wish to set up and run a business in the UK. It must be a new business or an established one which has not yet started trading.
From 13th April 2023 the previous Innovator Route and Start-up route will be closed and will be replaced and combined into one more simplified category, whereby Applicants must have approval from one of the Business Endorsing Bodies:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/endorsing-bodies-innovator-fo...
In order to obtain endorsement, the main requirements remain, whereby Applicants will need to have a business idea which is:
- Innovative – a new, original business idea.
- Viable – have potential to grow but with a realistic business plan for development.
- Scalable – have a clear plan for growth and job creation.
There are however some key changes in order to try to give flexibility and attract business and talent to the UK.
- There is now no minimum investment requirement unless the business idea particularly needs a cash injection in order to get started.
- The Endorsing Body will now only need to make contact with the business on a minimum of two occasions, unlike the previous rule whereby checks had to be made at 6, 12 and 24 months. Individuals must demonstrate they will have day to day involvement in carrying out their business plan.
- Secondary employment is now permitted as long as it is not at a skill level below RQF Level (generally equivalent to A-Level).
Applicants must be the sole founder of the business or a key and contributary member of the founding team.
If granted, a period of 3 years Leave to Remain is given, which can be extended or if eligible you may be able to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain.
Global Talent Visa
The Tier 1 ( Exceptional Talent) route has now closed and has been replaced by the Global Talent visa. This category is for individuals working in one of the specific qualifying fields and who have been recognised as having ‘exceptional talent’ or ‘exceptional promise’.
There is a 2-stage application process:
1. Obtaining endorsement in a particular field.
2. Applying for the visa.
A list of the current endorsing bodies can be found on the Home Office website. It is advisable to check this first before considering an application. https://www.gov.uk/global-talent/eligibility If your visa application is successful, you will be given leave to remain in the UK for a period of between 1-5 years and can apply for an extension as many times as necessary.
It is possible to apply for settlement but the time frame for when this is possible depends upon the type of visa and endorsement.
UK Expansion Work visa (Global Business Mobility)
This visa is for individuals looking to come to the UK to set up a branch of an overseas company that does not already trade in the UK. The individual must already be working for the business in a specialist or senior role.
If an individual is working at a company that already has a branch in the UK, the Senior or Specialist Worker visa (Global Business Mobility) is more appropriate. It was formerly known as the Inter-Company Transfer visa.
Graduate Visa
The Graduate Visa is for individuals looking to remain in the UK after completing their studies. To be eligible to apply you must currently be on a Student or Tier 4 (General) Student Visa, have studied a Bachelor’s or other eligible post graduate degree course and have successfully completed your course.
If successful, applicants are given Leave to Remain for 2 years ( or for 3 years if you have a PhD or Doctorate).
The Graduate Visa cannot be extended but it may be possible to switch into another type of visa.
The Graduate Visa allows for work or self-employment in any field other than work as professional sportsperson.
Skilled Work Visa
The skilled worker route provides for applicants who have a job offer in the UK to make an application to take up such employment in the UK.
Employing individuals through the skilled worker visa scheme is a complex process, involving numerous procedures, which must be followed precisely in order to comply with immigration legislation.
Each applicant will need to meet the Eligibility criteria:
- have a certificate of sponsorship reference number from the employer who holds a sponsorship licence ( or the employer must first apply for one)
- earn the appropriate salary
- have the required level of English
- have enough money for their maintenance (living costs) in the UK for 1 month.
Visas normally last for up to 5 years, can be renewed and after 5 years it may be possible to apply for Indefinite Leve to Remain.
Family members
In most of these categories you will also be able to apply to bring your family to join you in the UK. This is generally your partner and/or children and you will usually have to have a certain level of funds available to show you can maintain them in the UK.
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For more information on applying for these types of visa, speak to our expert Immigration Team on 0808 166 8831
For more information about our team of talented immigration specialists and read what others say about them - visit Andre Minnaar and Melissa Southall's personal profiles.
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