The Tier 1 (Graduate Entrepreneur) Visa programme at Oxford Brookes University Frequently asked questions What is the Tier 1 (Graduate Entrepreneur) Scheme? The Tier 1 (Graduate Entrepreneur) category allows the UK to retain (non-european) graduates identified by Oxford Brookes University as having developed innovative ideas or entrepreneurial skills, to extend their stay in the UK after graduation or to return to the UK from overseas to establish one or more businesses in the UK. For the purpose of the Immigration Rules business means an enterprise as a: Sole trader; Partnership; or Company registered in the UK There are 1000 places available per year across the UK with 10 places have been allocated to Oxford Brookes University. All the Universities who are operating this scheme are listed here: Who can apply? Any student, who currently has a Tier 4 (general) student visa who has graduated from a recognised degree at either undergraduate or postgraduate including MBA or PhD level is eligible. You no longer need to be a Brookes Graduate in order to apply for endorsement from this University. However you cannot apply if you have received the following: Foundation degree Honorary degree Qualifications awarded in the UK by overseas awarding bodies Qualifications undertaken at overseas campuses of UK institutions Professional and vocational qualifications Postgraduate certificates or diplomas Please note if you have not yet completed your degree programme at the time of your application for endorsement under this scheme and you are successful with this application then the endorsement will be conditional on successful completion of your degree programme. You should not seek to apply to UKBA until you have proof of graduation. What sort of business can I set up? There are no specific requirements relating to sector or size of operation. Your business should directly use your skills and knowledge and it should be based around an innovative idea rather than something that is in direct competition with other local traders. So for example a business that has developed a new piece of software or an App or one which offers a specialist service to a target market previously not catered for are good examples. We are unlikely to support an application for a business that is routine and already operating in a well-served market So setting up a takeaway restaurant or providing book keeping skills to local people are unlikely to be supported with an
endorsement letter as they are likely to be in direct competition with other existing businesses. They have to be potentially viable and sustainable with a feasible and well researched business proposal. The suitability of your business proposal will normally be discussed during your preliminary interview. How do I apply? There are basically 4 stages leading up to your visa application that you need to go through. Stage 1 Introductory interview: If you are interested in the Tier1 (Graduate Entrepreneur) Scheme you should email Tier1GE@brookes.ac.uk to book an appointment for an introductory interview. The interview will record all your details, discuss with you your business proposal and check you are eligible or refer you to the ISAS to discuss your visa eligibility. Once these initial formalities are complete you will receive an email advising you on whether it will be possible to take your idea to the next stage. This process will roughly take a week to complete. Stage 2 Mentoring and developing your business proposal: If your initial interview is successful, you will be assigned a mentor who will help prepare your business proposal for submission to the Commercial Review Panel. They will take you through all the information that you will need to prepare. You will be required to produce an outline business plan showing that you have properly researched your business proposal and to produce a basic financial statement demonstrating its financial viability. This process should take between 4-6 weeks. Stage 3 Endorsement application: This is a formal procedure when your application is considered by the Commercial Review Panel which is made up of a number of senior research staff and members of the University s business development team. It meets monthly and you will be required to submit the necessary documentation in advance of the meeting. You will not be required to produce a full detailed business plan at this stage but should be able to clearly demonstrate what the business is, how it would operate and its potential. Your mentor will write a report reviewing your progress and whether it is likely that your business will succeed. You will be required to produce a written report and be prepared to attend the meeting and answer questions. The panel will make a decision whether to: Endorse you application and issue you with an endorsement letter Decline your application Defer your application pending submission of further information. You will receive a written decision shortly after the panel has met and if you are successful an endorsement letter will be sent to you at your registered address in the UK once you have completed the University s agreement of terms and conditions and paid the 1500 fee to the University. The decision of the Commercial Review Panel is final and there is no appeal mechanism. Where an application is declined you may request feedback on that decision. You will need to your letter of endorsement document to the UK Border Agency as part of the information required with your visa application. You should apply to UKBA at least a month before your current visa is due to expire to allow time for your application to be processed and checked.
Your visa application MUST be submitted before your current Tier 4 Student visa expires and it is your responsibility to start thinking about this as early as possible as the whole process can take as long as three months. If your visa expires after you have applied and before you have had a decision from UKBA you may remain in the UK if you already have a visa while it is determined. Stage 4 Visa Application: You are responsible for making your application to the UKBA. You must ensure that you submit all the necessary documentation including the endorsement letter from the University in the appropriate format to them and pay the application fees to UKBA. The University can help you with advice and support through the Oxford Brookes University ISAS. Before you apply for a visa you should read the policy guidance notes published by the UK Border Agency which you can download here. The application form is available here How long does the whole process take? There is no fixed time as each application is treated individually. UKBA suggests that you should make a formal application with all the correct documentation supplied at least a month before your existing visa is due to expire. In order to do this you will need to obtain a letter of endorsement from the University and go through our formal internal approvals process. This can take in the region of 2 months. We would strongly recommend that you begin the process of application at least 3 months before your existing visa is due to expire. When will I hear if I have been endorsed? We will notify successful applicants in writing shortly after the Commercial Review Panel has met. The formal letter of endorsement for your business proposal will be issued to you by RBDO to you once you have paid your 1500 fee to the University. How much is the visa application fee to the UK Border Agency? Who you re applying for Apply You 298 406 If you re a citizen of Turkey or Macedonia 268 365 Your partner or child under 18 applying at the same time as you Your partner or child under 18 applying later, or child over 18 298 each person 298 each person Extend or switch by post 305 each person 406 each person The Maintenance requirement is that you must be able to support yourself whilst in the UK under this visa for the duration of your stay without claiming state benefits. One of the criteria is that you will need to produce evidence that you have personal savings of at least 945 for a 90 day period prior to your date of application. You will need to demonstrate additional funding if you intend to have dependents living with you in the UK. Any dependents that wish to join you will also have to demonstrate that they too have access to sufficient funds. You will need to provide evidence of original bank statements or bank letter. These may need to be obtained from your bank so please allow enough time for this.
What happens if my visa application is successful? If you are granted a visa for 12 months you must be able to demonstrate that you are actively developing your business. In providing you with an endorsement letter and included in your 1500 fee, the University has agreed to act as your mentor and monitor your progress. It will provide support and advice to you so that you can effectively develop your business ideas via your assigned mentor. For monitoring purposes the minimum contact that you must have with your mentor is every three months in order to be compliant with the terms of the visa. Your mentor will be experienced in business and able to explore opportunities with you as well as acting as a critical friend he or she may suggest more frequent meetings or advise you to attend seminars or events that are relevant to your needs. If for any reason you fail to keep satisfactory contact with the University through your mentor, the University is obliged to and will report this to UKBA and could withdraw our endorsement. For how long will I be granted the Tier 1 Graduate Entrepreneur visa? If you make a successful Tier 1 Graduate Entrepreneur visa application then you will be granted the visa initially for 12 months. After 12 months, the University must assess your suitability to endorse you for a further 12 months under this scheme. You would then need to make a visa extension application and will be required to pay additional fees both to the University and UKBA. The maximum time you can spend under this category is 24 months. It is hoped that after this time you would be able to make a successful application under another immigration category route should you wish to remain in the UK. Where can I find the Tier 1 (Graduate Entrepreneur) visa application form and guidance notes? For more detailed information, please consult the Tier 1 (Graduate Entrepreneur) policy guidance: Access the Tier 1 (Graduate Entrepreneur) Application form here Will the International Student Advisory Service help me with my Tier 1 (Graduate Entrepreneur) application? Staff from the ISAS may give you advice before you submit it but it will be your responsibility to post the application and then inform the University when you hear a decision about your visa application. You must provide a copy of any correspondence from UKBA with regards to your application and also a copy of your Tier 1 (Graduate Entrepreneur) visa by bringing it to Oxford Brookes University RBDO. What are the rules regarding hours and type of work under the Tier 1 (Graduate Entrepreneur) visa? Applicants who are granted the Tier 1 (Graduate Entrepreneur) visa will be able to work for their business and will also be permitted to do other work to support yourself whilst they are developing
your business. Applicants will not be able to work as a doctor or dentist in training, or as a professional sportsperson or sports coach. Applicants should note that they should not start work on their business until their visa application under Tier 1 (Graduate Entrepreneur) has been approved. This is because applicants will still be considered to have leave under Tier 4 whilst their application is pending and the Tier 4 visa does not allow for individuals to be self-employed. How do I remain compliant with the visa conditions? Once you have been granted a visa, Oxford Brookes University will be your sponsor under the scheme and provide you with a mentor. You will be required to sign a contract with the University agreeing to meet certain conditions. You must make sure that you remain in contact with the University at least quarterly. Contact points could include engaging in entrepreneurship support activities, providing written reports, mentoring other students etc. Full details will be provided to successful applicants. Failure to do so could result in the University reporting non-compliance to UKBA and lead to enforcement action against you. Who do I contact if I have any questions about the Tier 1 (Graduate Entrepreneur) Scheme? Please email Tier1GE@brookes.ac.uk or call 01865 484380 with any queries regarding this programme. We regret we are unable to advise on any other type visa scheme at this office.