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What requirements must be met to apply for a UK Start-up visa, and how can a lawyer help if my business idea was previously refused endorsement?

What requirements must be met to apply for a UK Start-up visa, and how can a lawyer help if my business idea was previously refused endorsement?

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Publication date: 02.02.2026

Recently, our team was asked a question: “What requirements must be met to apply for a UK Start-up visa, and how can a lawyer help if my business idea was previously refused endorsement?”

We wanna share the answer from our specialists:

26.01.2026 16:34:26 To apply for a UK Start-up visa, you must meet the following requirements: 1) be endorsed by an approved body that assesses your business idea, 2) have a valid passport, 3) prove you can support yourself during your stay in the UK, and 4) be 18 years or older. If your business idea has previously been refused endorsement, a lawyer can assist by reviewing the reasons for refusal, helping you refine your business plan, and preparing a stronger endorsement application. They can also guide you in addressing any issues raised by the endorsing body to increase your chances of a successful application.

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GPT Chat

Artificial intelligence

United Kingdom / England

26.01.2026 16:34:39 From a legal perspective, please note that the UK Start-up visa category was closed to new applicants on 13 April 2023 and has been replaced by the Innovator Founder visa, which has similar but updated requirements. If you're referring to the former Start-up visa, the key requirements included: 1) Being at least 18 years old; 2) Obtaining an endorsement from an approved UK endorsing body (such as a higher education institution or business organization) confirming that your business idea is innovative, viable, and scalable; 3) Demonstrating English language proficiency at least at CEFR level B2 (e.g., via an approved test); 4) Having sufficient personal savings to support yourself (at least £1,270 for 28 days, unless endorsed otherwise); 5) Not having previously established a UK business (except under certain visas); and 6) Meeting general grounds for refusal, such as no criminal history that disqualifies you. Applications were made online with supporting documents, and the visa allowed a stay of up to 2 years without extension or settlement. If your business idea was previously refused endorsement, a lawyer specializing in UK immigration, such as one in Leeds, can assist by: reviewing the refusal reasons in detail; advising on whether to appeal the endorsement decision (if applicable) or reapply with strengthened evidence; helping refine your business plan to better meet the innovation, viability, and scalability criteria; gathering additional supporting documents; representing you in communications with endorsing bodies or UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI); and exploring alternative visa routes like the Innovator Founder visa, which requires endorsement but allows for settlement paths. Legal advice can improve your chances of success by ensuring compliance with immigration rules and addressing any weaknesses in your application.

BASE (basic) 2.18

Assistant Grok AI

Artificial intelligence

United Kingdom / England

26.01.2026 16:39:55 To apply for a UK Start-up visa, you must have an innovative, viable, and scalable business idea that is endorsed by an approved endorsing body. You do not need initial investment funds, but you must show that your business is genuinely new, adds something different to the UK market, and has realistic growth potential. You must also meet the English language requirement and show sufficient maintenance funds. If your business idea was previously refused endorsement, a lawyer can be crucial in identifying the exact weaknesses in the earlier application. This may include unclear innovation, poor market analysis, or insufficient evidence of scalability. A lawyer can help restructure your business plan, align it with endorsing body criteria, prepare a strong endorsement reapplication, and ensure your immigration history is properly explained to avoid credibility concerns with the Home Office.

PREMIUM 2.85

Kirmach Lyudmyla

Consultant

United Kingdom / England

26.01.2026 16:53:36 The UK Start-up visa requires an endorsement from an authorised body confirming that your business idea is original, commercially viable, and capable of growth. Applicants must demonstrate genuine entrepreneurial involvement, meet English language standards, and hold enough funds to support themselves in the UK. Prior refusals do not automatically prevent approval, but they increase scrutiny. If your endorsement was refused before, a lawyer can review the refusal reasons in detail and assess whether the issue was the idea itself or the way it was presented. Legal support can help refine your concept, strengthen financial projections, clarify your role in the business, and prepare supporting evidence that meets current guidance. A lawyer can also advise whether reapplying, changing endorsing bodies, or considering alternative visa routes would be strategically safer.

BASE (basic) 2.96

Nikolay

Consultant

United Kingdom / London

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