The UK is definitely open for business to those willing to positively contribute to our business economy and culture. We thought we would share various open options with those who may be considering a move to the UK.

Innovator Visa

This is the most popular visa. It offers business owners the opportunity to set up an innovative business and it has to be different to anything else in UK.

• You must be able to show that your business idea is new and you cannot join a business that is already trading
• It must be viable, with potential for growth
• You can stay in the UK for 3 years and apply to extend your stay without any limits
• Upon providing the required documents you usually get a decision within 3 weeks

Sole Representative Visa

This offers foreign business owners and senior executives and their families a visa without the need for investment

• Create a branch of your existing business in the UK. The HQ must be more than 12 months old and remain outside of the UK with a minimum £5,000 per month turnover.
• You must be an existing senior employee and have a shareholding of less than 49%
• No investment is needed and it takes 90 days to process the application
•  Allows residency and eventual Indefinite Leave to remain in the UK

Skilled Worker Visa

This Visa is currently difficult to achieve due to UK government policies. However, it allows you to live and work in the UK for up to five years at which time you can apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain. It allows you to change jobs if the new employer can sponsor you. This visa will lead to UK citizenship.

• You must have a job offer and be sponsored by a UK based employer. There is no age cap on this Visa and there is currently no cap on the number of visas granted in this category.
• This Visa is points-based. Points are awarded for meeting specific requirements. You need a total of 70 points to be eligible. If you have a job offer for a role that meets the minimum skill level, you only need to have 50 points
• Granted for 5 years, offers Indefinite Leave to Remain, financially independent and your spouse, civil or unmarried partner and dependent children can join you in the UK.

Tier 1 Investor Visa

You must have held GBP 2 million under their control for two years in advance of the initial application

• Processed in approx. 2- 4 weeks
• The right to live, work and study anywhere in the United Kingdom

UK Health & Care worker Visa

A Health and Care Worker visa allows medical professionals to come to or stay in the UK to do an eligible job with the NHS, an NHS supplier or in adult social care. However, you must have a confirmed job offer before applying for this visa. Your visa can last for up to 5 years before you need to extend it. After 5 years, you may be able to apply for indefinite leave to remain.

To qualify for a Health and Care Worker visa, you must:

• Apply 12 weeks before your job starts. You’ll usually get a decision on your visa within 3 weeks
• Be a qualified doctor, nurse, health professional or adult social care professional
• Currently work in health or a social care job
• Work or have a job offer from a UK employer that’s been approved by the Home Office
• Have a ‘certificate of sponsorship’ from your employer with information about the role you’ve been offered in the UK
• Be paid a minimum salary - this will depend depend on the type of work you do



Williams Allan are Experts in Helping People Immigrate to the UK

Please click this link to visit the Williams Allan web pages that are dedicated to our professional immigration services.

If you are thinking of moving to the UK, please click here to complete our online eligibility form. 

Get in touch with us directly by contacting Brian Allan, our Chief Executive Officer, using

Email: brian@williamsallan.com

Brian's Linkedin Profile

WhatsApp: +44 (0)794 929 5097

Tel: +44 (0)203 289 2021

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Useful Information from the UK Government

Click this link to read the current advice given from the UK Government itself:

Paid and voluntary work, entrepreneur and investor visas

Williams Allan is a global consultancy offering immigration service, financial & tax planning, employment law and relocation services with a powerful Global capability. We work hard with our clients to get to where they want to be in the most cost-effective and efficient way. We understand our clients' plans and objectives and match our clients' needs with the right team, the right mix of skills and the right language.