Tier 1 Graduate Entrepreneur

This route is for graduates who have been identified by UK Higher Education Institutions as having developed world class innovative ideas or entrepreneurial skills, to extend their stay in the UK after graduation to establish one or more businesses in the UK. You need to request an endorsement directly from a UK Higher Education Institution who has been approved by the UK Border Agency for the purposes of Tier 1 (Graduate Entrepreneur) category prior to making an application. You must use the original endorsement letter as part of your leave to remain application within 3 months from the date of issue. When issued with an endorsement, you will be under the supervision of the institution that endorsed you while you are in this category.

For the purpose of the Immigration Rules ‘business’ means an
enterprise as a:

• sole trader;

• partnership; or

• company registered in the UK.

Switching Into The Tier 1 (Graduate Entrepreneur) Category

Switching into the Tier 1 (Graduate Entrepreneur) category is permitted where the applicant has or has last been granted leave as a:

i) Tier 4 Migrant;
ii) Student;
iii) Student Nurse;
iv) Student Re-sitting an Examination
v) Student Writing up a Thesis
vi) Postgraduate Doctor or Dentist; or
vii) Tier 1 (Graduate Entrepreneur) Migrant.

Applicants must not have previously been granted entry clearance, leave to enter or leave to remain as a Tier 1 (Post Study Work) migrant, a Participant in the Fresh Talent: Working in Scotland Scheme, or a Participant in the International Graduates Scheme (or its predecessor,
the Science and Engineering Graduate Scheme)

Tier 1 (Graduate Entrepreneur) – Limit

There is a limit of 1,000 Tier 1 (Graduate Entrepreneur) approvals for each of the periods 6 April 2012 to 5 April 2013; and 6 April 2013 to 5 April 2014. The limit of 1,000 places is divided equally between participating institutions up to a maximum of 10 endorsements per institution, to qualifying institutions who confirm that:
a) they wish to take part; and
b) that they have established processes and competence for identifying, nurturing and developing entrepreneurs among their undergraduate and postgraduate population.

The Tier 1 (Graduate Entrepreneur) limit will not apply to extension applications where the
applicant has, or last had, leave to remain as a Tier 1 (Graduate Entrepreneur).

Duration Of Stay Under Tier 1 Graduate Entrepreneur Visa

Successful applicants for Tier 1 Graduate Entrpreneur visa will be granted leave to remain for 12 months initially, which may be extended for a further 12 months, providing the sponsoring HEI is satisfied with the progress the Graudate Entrpreneur has made.

Leave to Remain under this route will be subject to the following conditions:

a) no recourse to public funds (which means the migrant will not be
able to claim most benefits paid by the state);
b) registration with the police, if this is required by paragraph 326 of
the Immigration Rules,
c) no employment except:
1. working for the business(es) the applicant has established; and
2. other employment of no more than 20 hours per week
d) no employment as a Doctor or Dentist in training or as a professional    sportsperson (including as a sports coach).

Permission To Work As A Tier 1 Graduate Entrepreneur

The Graduate Entrepreneur will be expected to spend majority of his time developing his business, but he may also undertake other work for up to 20 hours a week to support himself. The Grduate Entrpreneur will be able to sponsor dependents provided the dependents meet the Tier 1 Maintenance requirements.

Why Choose Sunrise Solicitors For Your Tier 1 Graduate Entrepreneur Application?

The immigration solicitors at Sunrise Solicitors are experts in dealing with Tier 1 Graduate Entrepreneur visa applications. The quality of our service is self-evident from the reviews of our clients about the service provided by our immigration lawyers. You can contact us if you are seeking legal help from immigration lawyers in London in relation to your Tier 1 (Graduate Entrepreneur) application and our immigration solicitors will provide you fast, friendly, reliable and professional immigration service.

If instructed to represent you regarding your Tier 1 Graduate Entrepreneur application, the following work will be carried out:

• Our immigration solicitors will take Detailed Instructions from you and advise you about the relevant immigration law and procedures to be adopted by the Home Office, UKBA in your Tier 1 Graduate Entrepreneur application.

• Our immigration solicitors will discuss your Tier 1 Graduate Entrepreneur case in detail with you and advise you about the weaknesses and strengths of your Tier 1 Graduate Entrepreneur application.
  

• Our immigration solicitors will advise you about the documentary evidence to be submitted in support of your Tier 1 Graduate Entrepreneur application.
  

• Our immigration solicitors will consider contents of the documentary evidence to be submitted in support of  your Tier 1 Graduate Entrepreneur application and discuss the same with you.

• Our immigration solicitors will complete the immigration form for Tier 1 Graduate Entrepreneur  application and discuss the same with you.

• Our immigration solicitors will prepare a covering letter to introduce and support your Tier 1 Graduate Entrepreneur application.

• Our immigration solicitors will submit your application to the Home Office through the Home Office Premium Service to get a decision on your Tier 1 Graduate Entrepreneur application on the same day the application is submitted.

• If your application is submitted by post, our immigration solicitors will liaise with the Home Office, UKBA for an expeditious decision on your application and do all the work until decision on the application by the Home Office, UKBA.
  

• Our immigration solicitors will protect your interests while your  Tier 1 Graduate Entrepreneur application is pending with the Home Office, UKBA and keep you informed of the progress on the matter.

• Our immigration solicitors will do all the follow up work until decision is reached on your Tier 1 Graduate Entrepreneur application.

• Our immigration solicitors will advise you about the implications of the Home Office decision on your Tier 1 Graduate Entrepreneur application.
  

How Much We Charge For Tier 1 Graduate Entrepreneur Application?

• We charge a fee from £800.00 + VAT for our professional immigration services in respect of your Tier 1 Graduate Entrepreneur application - Same Day Visa Service. The agreed fee will depend on the complexity of the matter and the casework involved in your Tier 1 Graduate Entrepreneur application.

• If you cannot afford to pay our fee in full at the time of instructing us in relation to your Tier 1 Graduate Entrepreneur application, you can pay half of the fee at the time of instructing us and the balance can be paid by monthly installments.

• The agreed fee covers all our work until decision by the Home Office on the Tier 1 Graduate Entrepreneur application. However, the agreed fee does not cover any disbursements to be incurred by us on your behalf e.g. translation of documents, Home Office fee etc.