FURTHER DETAILS
What replaced the Tier 1 Entrepreneur Visa?
The Tier 1 Entrepreneur route previously allowed individuals to establish, take over or become involved in running one or more businesses in the UK.
It is no longer possible to make a new application under this category. There is no single replacement route that applies to every entrepreneur.
The appropriate option will depend on factors including:
- whether you already operate an established business overseas;
- whether the overseas business is opening its first UK branch or subsidiary;
- whether you intend to establish or acquire a UK business;
- whether the proposed UK business can sponsor a skilled role;
- whether your business idea is innovative, viable and scalable;
- your proposed role in the business; and
- whether your priority is temporary expansion or long-term settlement.
CURRENT VISA OPTIONS
Alternative UK business immigration routes
UK Expansion Worker Visa
The UK Expansion Worker Visa may be suitable for a senior manager or specialist employee who is being assigned to the UK to establish the first UK branch or subsidiary of an overseas business.
The overseas business must not normally have started trading in the UK. The applicant must already work for the overseas organisation and must be sponsored for an eligible role.
This route may be appropriate where an established overseas business wants to create a genuine UK presence before later moving to a longer-term sponsorship arrangement.
The Expansion Worker route is temporary and does not itself provide a direct route to settlement. Businesses should therefore consider their longer-term sponsor licence and immigration strategy from the outset.
Read About the UK Expansion Worker Visa
Self-Sponsored Business Visa
Self-sponsorship is not a separate immigration category. It describes a strategy under which an individual establishes or acquires a genuine UK business that applies for a Skilled Worker sponsor licence.
If the business obtains a sponsor licence and has a genuine eligible role, it may be able to sponsor the founder, owner or director under the Skilled Worker route.
The business must be genuine, operating or capable of operating lawfully, and able to comply with the Home Office’s sponsor duties.
The proposed job must meet the applicable skill, salary and sponsorship requirements. The arrangement must not be created solely to facilitate an immigration application.
This option may be suitable for entrepreneurs whose business does not meet the Innovator Founder endorsement criteria but who can establish a viable UK company with a genuine skilled role.
Read About Self-Sponsorship
Innovator Founder Visa
The Innovator Founder Visa is intended for entrepreneurs who want to establish and develop an innovative, viable and scalable business in the UK.
Applicants must obtain an endorsement from an approved endorsing body and show that they have generated, or significantly contributed to, the business idea.
The proposed business must normally be:
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Innovative: offering an original proposition that is different from existing businesses in the market;
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Viable: supported by a realistic business plan and a founder with the skills and experience required to deliver it; and
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Scalable: capable of structured growth, job creation and expansion into national or international markets.
This route may lead to settlement after three qualifying years where the applicant receives a further endorsement and meets the relevant business, residence and settlement requirements.
Read About the Innovator Founder Visa
CHOOSING A ROUTE
Which UK business visa is right for you?
The three routes serve different purposes and should not be treated as interchangeable.
The UK Expansion Worker Visa may be appropriate where an established overseas business is opening its first UK branch or subsidiary and sending a senior employee to oversee the expansion.
A self-sponsored Skilled Worker strategy may be appropriate where you intend to establish or acquire a genuine UK business that can obtain a sponsor licence and employ you in an eligible skilled role.
The Innovator Founder Visa may be appropriate where you have an innovative business proposition capable of meeting the endorsement requirements.
A legal assessment should consider not only whether an initial visa application is possible, but also the business structure, sponsorship obligations, future extensions and route to settlement.
OUR SERVICES
How Westkin can help
Business immigration applications require the proposed business activities, company structure and immigration route to work together.
Our lawyers can compare the available options and help you develop a clear immigration strategy before significant time or money is committed.
Our service can include:
- reviewing your personal and business circumstances;
- comparing the Expansion Worker, self-sponsorship and Innovator Founder routes;
- assessing your proposed role and UK business structure;
- advising whether an overseas business qualifies for the Expansion Worker route;
- advising on the establishment or acquisition of a UK business;
- assessing eligibility for a Skilled Worker sponsor licence;
- reviewing whether a proposed role meets the sponsorship requirements;
- assessing the innovation, viability and scalability of a business proposal;
- advising on the Innovator Founder endorsement process;
- preparing sponsor licence and visa applications;
- preparing detailed legal representations;
- reviewing business plans and supporting evidence;
- assisting with dependant applications; and
- planning for extensions, switching and settlement.
WHY WESTKIN
Why business owners choose Westkin
Business immigration cases require a combination of immigration law, commercial evidence and an understanding of how the proposed UK business will operate in practice.
Lawyer-led advice: your circumstances are reviewed by an experienced business immigration lawyer.
Route comparison: we consider the available options rather than assuming that the same route is suitable for every entrepreneur.
Commercial and legal assessment: we review your business model, proposed role, corporate structure and supporting evidence against the relevant immigration requirements.
End-to-end support: we can assist from the initial strategy and company planning stage through to sponsorship, visa applications, extensions and settlement.
Established immigration firm: Westkin is Legal 500 ranked, regulated by the SRA and IAA, has more than 700 Google reviews and has advised more than 70,000 individuals and businesses.
WHAT HAPPENS NEXT
Find the right UK business immigration route
We begin by reviewing your professional background, current business activities, proposed UK structure and intended role.
We will explain which routes may be available, the requirements you would need to meet and any legal or commercial issues that should be addressed.
Once a strategy has been agreed, our lawyers can assist with the preparation and submission of the relevant business and immigration applications.
Speak to a UK business immigration lawyer
The Tier 1 Entrepreneur Visa is closed, but you may still have options for establishing, acquiring or expanding a business in the UK.
Arrange a consultation with one of our business immigration lawyers to compare the Expansion Worker, self-sponsorship and Innovator Founder routes.
Book a Consultation
Make an Enquiry
Last reviewed: 30 July 2026
The information on this page is general guidance and does not constitute legal advice. Immigration, sponsorship and endorsement requirements can change. Eligibility will depend on your circumstances and the rules in force on the date of application.
