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Tier 1 Graduate Entrepreneur Visa
The Tier 1 Graduate Entrepreneur Visa route has now closed to new applications. If you are a UK graduate, overseas entrepreneur, or business investor aiming to start or expand a business in the UK, we can help you secure the best alternative route, such as the Innovator Founder Visa or other UK business immigration options.
Call 020 3384 4389 or start a free online assessment today to find your best UK business visa pathway.
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Ready to Secure Your UK Entrepreneur Visa Without Delays?
One year is the minimum length of a Tier 1 Graduate Entrepreneur visa, but it can be extended for another year. Applicants for this extension must get ongoing approval from the supporting Higher Education Institute or the Department for International Trade (now part of the Department for Business and Trade), which shows that they have made good progress in building their business.
A person with a Graduate Entrepreneur visa was previously able to switch to a Tier 1 Entrepreneur visa to keep growing their business in the UK. People who want to switch from Tier 1 Graduate Entrepreneur to Tier 1 Entrepreneur were permitted to rely on a lower investment threshold (£50,000 instead of the standard £200,000)..
Quick Facts for Entrepreneurs and Graduates
Status of the Route
Closed to new applications in July 2019. The Tier one Graduate Entrepreneur route is no longer open, and extensions were historically limited under the original route rules.
Alternative Visas in 2025
Other options may include the Skilled Worker Visa for individuals taking up sponsored employment with a UK company, or the Global Talent Visa for recognised leaders or emerging leaders in specific fields.
Eligibility for Alternatives
Eligibility requirements vary by visa route. For example, the Innovator Founder Visa requires an endorsed innovative business idea and evidence of maintenance funds where applicable, while other routes have different criteria.
Application Processing Times
Processing times vary by visa category, country of application, and whether priority services are used. Applicants should check the current GOV.UK processing times for their specific route.
Unsure which UK business visa fits you best?
Our team at UK Immigration Solicitors has guided entrepreneurs and graduates in identifying the most appropriate route to launch or develop their business in the UK. We assess your education, professional experience, and business proposal to recommend the most suitable visa route, such as the Innovator Founder Visa, the Skilled Worker Visa (where sponsored employment applies), or the Global Talent Visa, depending on your individual circumstances.
Benefits
Why Choose Us for Your Entrepreneur Visa UK?
Tight schedule and no time to deal with extensive paperwork? We manage the legal and procedural aspects of your application with care and accuracy, allowing you to focus on developing your business while your immigration matter is handled professionally.
97.37%
Success Rate
37,573
Applications Approved
93.7%
Immigration Appeal Win Rate
4.9/5
Average Rating
From Consultation to Visa Approval
Our immigration specialists streamline your application process by clearly identifying which evidence and strategies will strengthen your case.
By aligning your unique circumstances with Home Office requirements, we help you focus on high-impact preparations while addressing any potential weaknesses in your application.
From Consultation to Visa Approval
Our immigration specialists streamline your application process by clearly identifying which evidence and strategies will strengthen your case.
By aligning your unique circumstances with Home Office requirements, we help you focus on high-impact preparations while addressing any potential weaknesses in your application.
Maximising Your Approval Chances
Our goal is to maximise the chances of your visa being approved the first time. By carefully reviewing your circumstances, identifying potential weaknesses, and preparing strong supporting evidence, we significantly reduce the risk of refusals. Every application is checked by senior immigration solicitors who apply their expertise to make your case as clear, accurate, and persuasive as possible. This attention to detail is what improves success rates and helps our clients move forward with confidence.
Success Rate Optimisation
We carefully analyse every detail of your application to maximise the chances of approval. By addressing weaknesses, strengthening supporting evidence, and ensuring full compliance with Home Office rules, we optimise your case for success. This thorough approach significantly improves approval rates and gives you confidence throughout the process.
Risk Mitigation Strategies
We identify potential risks in your application early and put safeguards in place to address them. By preparing strong evidence, clarifying complex points, and anticipating Home Office concerns, we minimise the chance of delays or refusals.
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Evidence-based case preparation
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Home Office compliance checks
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Success rate optimisation
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Risk mitigation strategies
From Consultation to Visa Approval
Our immigration specialists streamline your application process by clearly identifying which evidence and strategies will strengthen your case.
By aligning your unique circumstances with Home Office requirements, we help you focus on high-impact preparations while addressing any potential weaknesses in your application.
Maximising Your Approval Chances
Our goal is to maximise the chances of your visa being approved the first time. By carefully reviewing your circumstances, identifying potential weaknesses, and preparing strong supporting evidence, we significantly reduce the risk of refusals. Every application is checked by senior immigration solicitors who apply their expertise to make your case as clear, accurate, and persuasive as possible. This attention to detail is what improves success rates and helps our clients move forward with confidence.
Success Rate Optimisation
We carefully analyse every detail of your application to maximise the chances of approval. By addressing weaknesses, strengthening supporting evidence, and ensuring full compliance with Home Office rules, we optimise your case for success. This thorough approach significantly improves approval rates and gives you confidence throughout the process.
Risk Mitigation Strategies
We identify potential risks in your application early and put safeguards in place to address them. By preparing strong evidence, clarifying complex points, and anticipating Home Office concerns, we minimise the chance of delays or refusals.
Work With Trusted, SRA-Regulated UK Immigration Experts
Your immigration journey is too important to risk on unqualified or unregulated help. Every case we handle is prepared by SRA-regulated solicitors who apply structured legal reasoning, precise documentation checks and full compliance with Home Office and UKVI rules.
Our accreditations are your assurance that you are working with a reputable, experienced and highly trained legal team. We combine decades of immigration expertise with strict professional standards to give you clarity, confidence and complete peace of mind — no matter which visa or application route you are pursuing.
How to Become Eligible for a Tier 1 Graduate Entrepreneur Visa?
This route is now closed. The information below reflects the historical eligibility requirements that applied when the Tier 1 Graduate Entrepreneur Visa was open.
Individuals who previously applied for a Tier one Graduate Entrepreneur Visa were required to meet the following conditions:
Endorsement support
Applicants were required to obtain endorsement from either a recognised UK Higher Education Institution or the Department for International Trade (now part of the Department for Business and Trade). Higher Education Institutions were subject to an annual endorsement limit set by the Home Office. Historically, this cap was limited to 1900 endorsements per year.
Graduate status and business idea
Applicants had to be recent graduates with a genuine, credible business idea. Endorsement depended on demonstrating that the proposed business was realistic and capable of development in the UK.
Recognised qualification
Applicants were required to hold an approved bachelor’s, master’s, or PhD degree. This qualification had to be awarded by a UK institution or, if obtained overseas, confirmed as equivalent by UK NARIC (now known as Ecctis).
English language and maintenance requirements
Applicants were required to meet the English language requirement and demonstrate sufficient maintenance funds to support themselves in the UK. Unlike the Tier one Entrepreneur route, no minimum investment funds were required under the Graduate Entrepreneur category.
If you are unsure which current visa route may be suitable following the closure of this category, professional advice can help clarify the safest and most appropriate options available today.
How long does a Tier 1 Graduate Entrepreneur last?
The initial grant of a Tier one Graduate Entrepreneur Visa was for one year. It could be extended once for a further year, subject to continued endorsement from the original endorsing body and evidence of genuine progress in developing the business.
Historically, individuals holding this visa were permitted to switch into the Tier one Entrepreneur route, provided they met the relevant requirements. In such cases, a lower investment threshold of £50,000 instead of the normal £200,000.
Restrictions for Tier 1 Graduate Entrepreneur Visa
Under the historical rules, Tier 1 Graduate Entrepreneur Visa holders were permitted to undertake employment in addition to working on their endorsed business, provided the role was not as a doctor in training, dentist, professional sportsperson, or sports coach.
Visa holders were also permitted to study, including undertaking part-time postgraduate study while developing their business.
Travel outside the UK was permitted, provided the individual continued to meet the conditions of their visa.
As with the Tier 1 Entrepreneur route, most types of business activity were allowed. However, businesses primarily engaged in property development or property management were restricted, although construction-based business activity was permitted.
Frequently Asked Questions FAQs
Under the historical rules, Tier one Graduate Entrepreneur Visa holders were permitted to bring dependants, including a spouse or partner and children under the age of eighteen. Dependants were granted permission in line with the main applicant’s visa and were permitted to work or study in the UK, subject to standard immigration conditions.
The Tier one Graduate Entrepreneur Visa did not directly lead to Indefinite Leave to Remain. The route allowed a maximum stay of two years and was designed as a temporary business development category rather than a settlement route.
The Innovator Founder Visa is the primary replacement, requiring an endorsed, scalable business plan and active involvement in the venture.
Investment alone does not grant UK immigration status. Individuals must hold a valid visa that permits business or economic activity in the UK. The appropriate visa route depends on the individual’s role, level of involvement, and long-term plans.
Historically, some individuals were able to progress to the Tier 1 Entrepreneur route, which could lead to settlement if all requirements were met. This progression route is no longer available following the closure of both categories.
Time spent under the Tier one Graduate Entrepreneur route could, in certain circumstances, count towards the ten-year long residence route to settlement, provided all eligibility requirements were met.
The Innovator Founder Visa is now the primary UK business immigration route for entrepreneurs with endorsed, innovative business ideas. Applicants must play an active role in developing their business and meet the endorsement and eligibility requirements set out by UK Visas and Immigration.
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