Business & Investment Visas

Business & Investment Visas

The UK remains one of the world's most attractive destinations for entrepreneurs, senior executives, and established businesses looking to grow internationally. However, the immigration routes that allow individuals to build, run, or invest in a UK business are technical, evidence-heavy, and subject to frequent change. At MCR Solicitors, our Manchester-based immigration team advises founders, business owners, and companies on the most appropriate visa route for their circumstances and helps them prepare applications that meet the Home Office's exacting requirements.

This page explains the main business and investment immigration routes as they apply in 2026, how MCR can help, and what the process involves. Immigration Rules and fees change regularly, so the current position should always be confirmed on GOV.UK or in a consultation with one of our advisers before you make any decisions.

What business and investment visas cover

"Business and investment visas" is a broad description for a group of immigration routes designed for people who want to come to the UK to start a company, expand an overseas business, work as a senior manager, or contribute specialist skills. It is important to understand that the UK immigration landscape has changed significantly in recent years, and some historic routes are no longer open to new applicants.

In particular, the Tier 1 (Investor) visa — the route previously associated with large passive investments in UK assets — closed to new applicants in early 2022. The Start-up and Sole Representative routes have also closed to most new applicants. Anyone researching older guidance online should treat it with caution, as it may describe routes that are no longer available.

The routes most commonly relevant to business migrants and investors in 2026 include the following. Eligibility criteria, endorsement requirements, and salary or funding thresholds are set by the Home Office and can change, so please verify current requirements on GOV.UK.

Innovator Founder visa

The Innovator Founder route is aimed at experienced businesspeople who want to establish an innovative, viable, and scalable business in the UK. Applicants generally need their business idea to be endorsed by an approved endorsing body, which assesses the innovation, viability, and scalability of the proposal and provides ongoing contact points during the venture. This route replaced the earlier Innovator visa and does not carry the fixed minimum investment figure that some previous entrepreneur routes required, though applicants must show their business is properly funded.

Global Talent visa

The Global Talent route is designed for leaders or potential leaders in fields such as academia and research, arts and culture, and digital technology. It usually requires endorsement from a recognised body, and it can offer a flexible path for founders and senior specialists whose profile fits these sectors.

Global Business Mobility routes

The Global Business Mobility group includes several routes for overseas businesses and their staff, such as the UK Expansion Worker route (for senior employees establishing a UK branch or subsidiary of an overseas business), Senior or Specialist Worker transfers, and other categories for secondments and service suppliers. These routes are sponsor-based and typically require the UK entity to hold or obtain the appropriate sponsor licence.

Skilled Worker and sponsor licences

Many business owners and executives ultimately need the ability to employ overseas talent in the UK. This usually means the UK business obtaining a sponsor licence so it can sponsor workers under the Skilled Worker route. We advise companies on applying for and managing sponsor licences and on meeting their ongoing compliance duties.

How MCR Solicitors helps

Choosing the wrong route — or submitting an application that does not properly evidence the requirements — can lead to refusal, lost fees, and delay. Our role is to help you get it right the first time. We support clients at every stage, including:

• Strategy and route selection: assessing your background, business plans, and long-term goals to identify the most suitable route, or combination of routes, for you and your family.
• Endorsement and business plan support: helping you understand what endorsing bodies and the Home Office expect, and working alongside your accountants and business advisers so your documentation is consistent and credible.
• Sponsor licence applications: guiding UK entities through the licence application, the compliance framework, and the systems needed to meet Home Office duties.
• Application preparation and submission: preparing the application, supporting evidence, and covering representations to present your case clearly.
• Extensions and settlement: advising on continuing eligibility, extension applications, and, where available, the path toward indefinite leave to remain and eventually British citizenship.
• Refusals and reconsideration: reviewing refused applications and advising on the realistic options, including fresh applications, administrative review, or challenge where appropriate.

We aim to give clear, honest advice about the strengths and weaknesses of a case. We do not guarantee outcomes — no responsible solicitor can, because decisions rest with the Home Office and endorsing bodies — but we work to give your application the strongest possible foundation.

The process step by step

While every case is different, a typical business or investment visa matter with MCR follows a broadly similar path:

1. Initial consultation: we discuss your circumstances, objectives, and immigration history, and give an initial view on suitable routes and likely requirements.
2. Route and strategy confirmation: we confirm the recommended route, the evidence needed, and a realistic timeline, and provide a clear scope of work and costs.
3. Evidence gathering: we help you assemble the required documents — which may include a business plan, financial evidence, endorsement materials, and personal documents — and review them against the current Immigration Rules.
4. Endorsement or licence stage: where the route requires it, we support the endorsement application or sponsor licence application before the main visa application.
5. Application submission: we prepare and check the application, supporting documents, and any legal representations before submission, and advise on biometrics and any priority service options offered by the Home Office.
6. Decision and next steps: once a decision is made, we advise on what it means for you, including conditions of stay, reporting duties, and future extension or settlement planning.

Processing times vary by route, location, and whether a priority service is used, and they can change without notice. We will give you an indicative timescale for your matter, but current standard and priority processing times should always be checked on GOV.UK.

Why choose MCR Solicitors

MCR Solicitors is a full-service law firm based in Manchester, serving individual and business clients across the North West and throughout the UK. Our immigration team handles a wide range of business and personal immigration matters, and we understand that for entrepreneurs and companies, immigration is rarely just a legal question — it is closely tied to commercial timing, investment, and family plans.

Clients choose us because we combine technical immigration knowledge with a practical, commercial outlook. We take time to understand your business, we communicate in plain language rather than jargon, and we are transparent about costs and prospects from the outset. Because we are a full-service firm, we can also coordinate with colleagues in corporate, commercial, and employment law where a business immigration matter touches those areas.

As a firm of solicitors, we are regulated and bound by professional standards of conduct and confidentiality, and our advice is tailored to your individual circumstances rather than generic guidance found online.

Frequently asked questions

Can I still get a UK investor visa by investing money?

The former Tier 1 (Investor) visa, which was based on a large qualifying investment, closed to new applicants in early 2022 and is not currently open. Business migrants today generally rely on routes such as Innovator Founder, Global Talent, or the Global Business Mobility routes, which focus on running or expanding an active business rather than passive investment. We can advise on the options that fit your profile.

How much do I need to invest to start a business in the UK?

Requirements depend on the specific route. The Innovator Founder route does not impose the fixed minimum investment figure that some earlier entrepreneur routes required, but you must show your business is genuinely funded and viable, and endorsing bodies will scrutinise this. Because thresholds and criteria change, we recommend confirming the current position on GOV.UK and in a consultation with us.

Do I need a sponsor licence for my UK company?

If your UK business wants to employ workers from outside the UK under the Skilled Worker route, or bring in staff under certain Global Business Mobility routes, it will usually need a sponsor licence. We advise companies on whether a licence is required, how to apply, and how to meet the ongoing compliance duties that come with holding one.

Can my family come with me?

Most business and investment routes allow eligible partners and children to apply as dependants, subject to the relevant requirements and fees. We can advise on dependant applications alongside the main application so your family's position is considered from the start.

What happens if my application is refused?

A refusal is not always the end of the matter. Depending on the route and the reasons given, options may include a fresh application, administrative review, or another form of challenge. We will review the decision, explain why it was made, and give you honest advice on the realistic way forward.

Immigration Rules, fees, and processing times referred to on this page are subject to change. Please confirm the current requirements on GOV.UK or speak to our team for advice tailored to your situation.