High-Net-Worth & Entrepreneur Visas UK

HNW & Entrepreneurs can apply to live, work and start a business in the UK. Whilst the Golden Visa’s (referred as the Investor route) is closed, opportunities to settle in the UK are available on different immigration programs.

You must now align your pathway with program routes that considers innovation and business activity.

Summary of immigration programs

Immigration route	Suitable applicants	Settlement position
Innovator Founder visa	Entrepreneurs establishing innovative, viable and scalable businesses	Eligible for ILR after 3 years, subject to requirements
Global Talent visa	Recognised leaders and emerging leaders in qualifying sectors, including technology founders	Usually 3 or 5 years
Skilled Worker visa	Business owners, directors and entrepreneurs with genuine qualifying sponsored employment	Settlement route, subject to applicable rules
UK Expansion Worker visa	Overseas business owners expanding into the UK through a new UK operation	No direct settlement
Senior or Specialist Worker visa	Directors and senior employees transferring within an international corporate group	No direct settlement
Scale-up Worker visa	Senior professionals recruited by qualifying high-growth UK businesses	Settlement route
High Potential Individual visa	Recent graduates of eligible leading international universities, including prospective founders	No direct settlement
Global Business Mobility – Service Supplier	Overseas business professionals providing services under qualifying international agreements	No direct settlement
Global Business Mobility – Secondment Worker	Overseas employees seconded under qualifying high-value contracts or investments	No direct settlement
Global Business Mobility – Graduate Trainee	Employees on structured international management training programmes	No direct settlement
Global Entrepreneur Programme (GEP)	Selected international founders and scale-ups seeking a UK headquarters or R&D presence	Not a visa; may support Innovator Founder endorsement

Innovator and Start‑up Visas

These visas are aimed at founders with a viable, innovative business idea that can create jobs and contribute to the UK economy. Both routes require endorsement from an approved UK organisation.

Key point: The Innovator Visa requires a minimum £50,000 investment, while the Start‑up Visa does not have a set investment amount but expects proof of sufficient funds to support yourself.

Eligibility overview

Innovator: endorsement + £50,000 investment in a new business.
Start‑up: endorsement + proof of personal savings (at least £1,270) for living costs.
Both: English language at CEFR level B2 and sufficient maintenance funds.

How we can help

Our team works closely with approved endorsing bodies to prepare a compelling business plan, ensure the innovation criteria are met, and guide you through the application dossier.

UK Expansion Visa (Sole Representative Visa)

If you are an overseas senior employee of an established overseas business, the UK Expansion Visa route allows you to set up a UK branch without a minimum investment. It is a strategic option for companies looking to expand their UK presence.

Who qualifies?

Senior employee with extensive knowledge of the parent company.
Company must have a genuine presence overseas and be actively trading.
Applicant must not be a major shareholder (≤ 50% ownership).

Our role

ICS & Partners prepares the corporate evidence, drafts the supporting statement, and liaises with UKVI to demonstrate the commercial need for a UK branch.

Why choose ICS & Partners?

Our multidisciplinary team combines immigration law expertise with business advisory, ensuring your visa application aligns with both regulatory requirements and commercial objectives.

Common considerations for high‑net‑worth applicants

Source of funds: Evidence of legitimate wealth is mandatory – bank statements, audited accounts, and tax returns are typically required.
Maintenance funds: You must show you can support yourself (and dependants) without recourse to public funds.
Residency requirements: Most routes require a minimum number of days spent in the UK each year to maintain the visa.
Family members: Spouses, children and, in some cases, senior staff can be included as dependants.

Programmes for business investment and UK market entry

In addition to visas, HNW and entrepreneur clients may benefit from investment and business-development programmes.

Programme or mechanism	Relevance	Immigration benefit
Global Entrepreneur Programme	Government support for selected high-growth international founders	May facilitate Innovator Founder endorsement
UK company formation	Establishing a UK limited company or subsidiary	No automatic visa entitlement
UK sponsor licence	Allows qualifying companies to sponsor eligible workers	Supports sponsored work routes
UK business acquisition	Purchasing an existing UK company	No automatic immigration entitlement
UK commercial property investment	Investment in commercial or residential property	No automatic immigration entitlement
Enterprise Investment Scheme (EIS)	Potential tax relief for qualifying investments	No direct immigration benefit
Seed Enterprise Investment Scheme (SEIS)	Potential tax relief for qualifying early-stage investments	No direct immigration benefit
Venture capital and private equity investment	Investment into qualifying UK businesses	No direct immigration benefit

ICS & Partners HNW and Entrepreneurs service portfolio

At ICS & Partners we provide Private Client Immigration, Entrepreneur Mobility and Strategic UK Market Entry Advisory - alongside the end-to-end immigration services.

Entrepreneur & Founder Immigration

Innovator Founder, Global Talent, business-owner sponsorship, business plan assessments and long-term immigration planning.

Corporate Expansion & Investment Mobility

UK Expansion Worker, corporate transfers, sponsor licensing, business acquisitions and immigration due diligence.

HNW & Private Client Immigration

Family relocation, international residence planning, British citizenship, settlement and coordination with tax, property and wealth advisers.

Family Office & Executive Immigration

Family office personnel, senior executives, accompanying dependants, eligible domestic workers and ongoing immigration management.

As a specialist firm, we provide an annual HNW Immigration & Mobility Advisory Retainer, covering the principal client's immigration position, family members, international travel, renewal deadlines, corporate sponsorship where applicable, and settlement planning.

Next steps

If you are ready to explore which visa route best fits your investment or entrepreneurial goals, get in touch with our specialists. We will assess your situation, outline the most suitable pathway, and provide a clear, step‑by‑step plan.

Book a discovery call with ICS & Partners today for a confidential, no‑obligation call. Our confidential discovery call is an opportunity to discuss your personal, business or investment objectives and explore how ICS & Partners can support your UK immigration and relocation strategy.

We welcome discussions directly with you or, where authorised, with your family office, legal representatives, wealth advisers or other trusted professionals to better understand your circumstances and coordinate an appropriate approach.

Whether you are considering establishing a UK business, expanding your international operations, relocating with your family or planning your long-term residence, our team will be pleased to explore how we may assist.

We work alongside your trusted advisers to ensure that your UK immigration strategy complements your wider personal, commercial and investment objectives.