UK BUSINESS VISAS –
WORK, INVEST OR START
A BUSINESS IN THE UK
A UK business visa enables individuals to enter the UK to work, start or expand a business, or make significant investments. It provides a legal pathway for entrepreneurs, investors, and skilled professionals to contribute to the UK economy while benefiting from access to one of the world’s leading business environments. Depending on the visa type, applicants may also bring dependants, settle in the UK long-term, or eventually apply for British citizenship.
WHAT IS A UK BUSINESS VISA?
A UK business visa allows international entrepreneurs, investors, or companies to set up, expand, or support business activity in the United Kingdom.
Depending on your goals, you may:
• Establish an innovative start-up or high-growth company
• Expand your existing business into the UK
• Sponsor foreign workers to support your operations
• Qualify for permanent UK residency as a business leader or founder
UK business visas are part of the government’s strategy to attract global talent and investment while maintaining strict compliance standards.
OUR UK BUSINESS VISA SERVICES
At Cromwell Wilkes, we provide strategic legal support across a range of business immigration services:
• Innovator Founder Visa – for individuals with innovative business ideas and endorsement
• Sponsor Licence Applications – for UK businesses hiring overseas workers
• Immigration Compliance Audits – to help sponsor licence holders meet legal obligations
• Expansion and Investment Visas – for companies looking to open UK branches or subsidiaries
• Visa Switching and ILR – for existing visa holders transitioning to permanent residency
Whether you’re an entrepreneur, employer, or investor, we tailor our approach to your business goals.
The Innovator Founder Visa is ideal for entrepreneurs seeking to launch a genuinely innovative business in the UK. You must be endorsed by an approved body and show a viable, scalable business plan.
- No minimum investment requirement
- 3-year visa with path to ILR
- Self-employment and company directorship permitted
- No cap on extensions
UK employers must hold a valid Sponsor Licence to legally hire international workers under the Skilled Worker Visa or Scale-up Visa. This process requires a strong HR framework, document readiness, and ongoing compliance.
- Valid for 10 years (new rules from April 2024)
- Allows issuance of Certificates of Sponsorship (CoS)
- Required for Skilled Worker, Specialist, and Temporary visas
- Risk of suspension or revocation for non-compliance
Maintaining your sponsor licence means more than securing approval—it requires continuous compliance. We help businesses prepare for Home Office audits, prevent legal risks, and protect their ability to sponsor workers.
- On-site mock audits
- Right-to-work check training
- HR and document system reviews
- Pre-renewal or pre-audit preparation
WHY WORK WITH CROMWELL WILKES?
WHY WORK WITH
CROMWELL WILKES?
Our business immigration lawyers work closely with founders, HR directors, and legal teams to:
• Simplify complex immigration regulations
• Protect business continuity and license integrity.
• Secure the fastest route to UK market entry or expansion
• Support ILR and British citizenship planning
We’ve helped businesses from tech start-ups to multinational firms secure sponsor licences, launch ventures, and maintain compliance in a fast-changing regulatory landscape.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT UK BUSINESS VISAS
FREQUENTLY ASKED
QUESTIONS ABOUT
UK BUSINESS VISAS
CONTACT CROMWELL WILKES IMMIGRATION LAWYERS
CONTACT
CROMWELL WILKES
IMMIGRATION LAWYERS
Your business is only as strong as its foundations, including immigration compliance. Whether starting up, scaling, or sponsoring skilled workers, Cromwell Wilkes helps you build legally and strategically in the UK.
If you plan to launch, grow, or invest in the UK, expert legal support for your UK business visa application can make all the difference.
