Changes to UK Tier 1(Entrepreneur) visa announced

United Kingdom, 1st February: The UK has announced new rules for UK Tier 1 visa program

The new norms for UK Tier 1(Entrepreneur) visa program were introduced 31st January this year.

New UK Tier 1 visa rules—The new rules have been announced by Mark Harper, the UK immigration minister. Aim of the latest changes to UK Entrepreneur visas is to significantly reduce misuse of the process while ensuring that the immigration program attracts and allows genuine foreign entrepreneurs to the UK.

The UK immigration has announced new rules for UK Tier 1 visa for offering increased protection to genuine applicants and reducing visa abuse.

New UK ‘genuine entrepreneur’ test—The highlight of the changed UK entrepreneur visa rules is the introduction of a new ‘genuine entrepreneur’ test. This new test has become effective from 31st January, 2013. Under this test, the UKBA(UK Border Agency) officials will check the credibility of those applicants for UK Entrepreneur visas who appear to be suspicious.

That is, immigration officials will check whether the business plan of the applicant is credible and viable or not.

For this, they make take into consideration the immigration history, previous business and educational experience and other related information of the applicant. New rules will also require all foreign entrepreneurs to fulfill the requirement of minimum funds as notified in the Appendix A of the UK immigration rules.

So, not only the new applicants will be required to fulfill required minimum level of funds at the time of applying for UK entrepreneur visas, but foreign entrepreneurs already in the UK having an indefinite leave to stay in the UK will be governed by minimum fund requirements.

And if it is found by the UKBA officials that the foreign entrepreneurs already in the UK on UK Tier 1(entrepreneur) visas are not having funds available to them(except the fact that the funds had been spent either in the establishment of the business/businesses or in the running of the same), then their leave might be curtailed by the former.

UK welcomes genuine foreign entrepreneurs—New rules are no deterrent for the genuine foreigners wanting to move to the UK and set up businesses (subject to fulfillment of various rules), affirmed the immigration minister Harper.