Changes to the Tier 1 (Entrepreneur) route
30 January 2013
A written ministerial statement setting out the changes to the Tier 1 (Entrepreneur) route has been laid in Parliament.
We are introducing the following changes:
• an introduction of a genuine entrepreneur test which will give UK Border Agency caseworkers the ability to test the credibility of suspicious applicants; and
• a change that requires the necessary minimum funds to be held, or invested in the business, on an ongoing basis rather than solely at the time of application.
These changes are being made in response to evidence that the route is being targeted by applicants seeking to abuse the Immigration Rules.
Immigration Minister Mark Harper said:
'We have acted quickly to stamp out abuse by those looking to play the system.
'The UK remains open to the brightest and best - genuine entrepreneurs with the ideas and motivation to drive economic growth will always be welcome in the UK.'
For more information, the written ministerial statement and statement of changes can be accessed at the right side of this page [see below]. Additional information for applicants has also been published.
Related documents
• Written ministerial statement: Tier 1 Entrepreneur
• Statement of changes in Immigration Rules HC 943 - January 2013