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What is the Tier 1 (Graduate Entrepreneur) visa?

The Tier 1 (Graduate Entrepreneur) category was launched by the UKBA to allow the UK to retain non-EU/EEA graduates who have been identified by UK higher education institutions as having developed world genuine and credible business ideas or entrepreneurial skills to extend their stay after graduation to establish a business in the UK.

Queen’s University has been allocated a maximum of 10 endorsements per year and in 2014 there will be an additional 10 endorsements available for MBA graduates. Successful applicants will be granted 12 months leave initially which may be extended by a further 12 months if the University provides a second endorsement based on successful progress. During each 12 month period graduates will be monitored and will receive mentoring and entrepreneurial support in developing a business. 

Who can apply?

Graduates can apply for the Tier 1 (Graduate Entrepreneur) visa if they are currently in the UK under one of the following categories:

• Tier 4 Migrant;
• Student;
• Student nurse;
• Student re-sitting an examination;
• Student writing up a thesis;
• Postgraduate doctor or dentist; or
• Tier 1 (Graduate Entrepreneur) migrant.

Applicants must have successfully completed a bachelor's or postgraduate degree at Queen’s University within the last 12 months of applying and applications can be made from within the UK or from the applicant's home country.  Dependants may join the applicant in the UK, provided the Tier 1 maintenance requirements are met.

When can I apply?

Gaining the Univerity's endoresemnt is a competitive process as we can only endorse 10 students per year.  Internal applications must be submitted at least 3 months before your current leave expires and if successful the University can only endorse your UKBA application after you have successfully completed a bachelor's or postgraduate degree.  You must apply to UKBA for the Tier 1 (Graduate Entrepreneur) visa within 12 months from the date your degree was awarded.

How do I apply?

Application Procedure

1. Before applying please read the policy guidance on the UKBA website found here and ensure you meet the conditions.   
2. Complete the internal application form and submit to International Student Support or send to iss@qub.ac.uk.
3. The University panel will assess your application form and if successful you will be invited to attend an interview with the panel to discuss your business idea.
4. Following a successful interview, there will be an initial assessment of the UKBA application form to ensure that the acceptance criteria of the scheme have been met.
5. Bring your completed application form and necessary documents to International Student Support.
6. If you are applying from within the UK, International Student Support will submit the completed Tier 1 (Graduate Entrepreneur) application form, with all required documents, including the letter of endorsement from the University, to the UKBA. 
7. Once your application has been submitted, you are permitted to begin work on your business idea.

UKBA Application

For your application to be successful, you must score 95 points and meet all the other requirements of the Immigration Rules.

Attribute	Points available
You have been endorsed by Queen’s University You have been awarded a UK recognised bachelors or postgraduate degree by Queen’s University Or Your previous grant of leave is a Tier 1 (Graduate Entrepreneur) and you have an endorsement for an extension application from Queen’s University. The endorsement confirms that Queen’s University has assessed you and your business idea.	25     25       25
English Language: pass mark = 10 If you meet the pass-mark of 75 points for attributes (above) you will satisfy the English language requirement.	10
Maintenance (pass mark = 10) For leave to remain in the United Kingdom you must have the specified funds (expenses) requirement. At least £900 of personal savings held in your bank account for 90 consecutive days before your date of application.	10

How do I extend my Tier 1 (Graduate Entrepreneur) Visa?

If you wish to extend your Tier 1 (Graduate Entrepreneur) visa for a further 12 months you must apply at least one month before your current permission to stay expires. Queen’s University will only endorse a graduate for a second year if the graduate’s business idea is making satisfactory progress.

• The requirements for extending your visa can be found here
• Before applying please read the policy guidance on the UKBA website found here.   
• You can only be granted leave of 2 years in total as a Tier 1 (Graduate Entrepreneur) migrant. After 2 years you may be eligible to apply under the Tier 1 (Entrepreneur) category.

What are the conditions under the Tier 1 (Graduate Entrepreneur) Visa?

• The endorsed graduate must spend the majority of their working time on developing their business venture;
• Graduates will be monitored throughout the year and must maintain regular contact with their University mentor
• Graduates will not have access to state benefits or other public funds;
• Graduates cannot be employed as a doctor or dentist in training or as a professional sports person (including as a sports coach);
• Graduates can work for the business(s) they have established; or other work including working for other start-ups or incidental work to support themselves;
• Graduates will be permitted to apply for a second 12 month visa if the University is happy to provide further endorsement based on successful progress.

 How will I be monitored?

If successful you would be subject to a monitoring process which would involve regular meetings with an entrepreneurial mentor at the University. This is a UKBA requirement and graduates must remain in contact with their University advisor at least quarterly. Contact points could include engaging in support activities, providing written reports or mentoring and must be recorded. At each contact point graduates are responsible for completing and submitting a satisfactory progress form to International Student Support. Your progress reports could potentially assist the University in deciding whether to provide a second endorsement.

Please find the Satisfactory Progress Form here which needs to be completed at each contact point and submitted to International Student Support.

The University will be required to report to the UKBA if:

• the endorsed graduate fails to keep in contact with the University
• the endorsed graduate fails to attend any review meetings
• the University obtains any other evidence to suggest that the endorsed graduate has breached any of the conditions of their leave
• the endorsed graduate is no longer participating in the scheme.

The University reserves the right to withdraw our endorsement of your visa if any of these requirements are contravened, or circumstances arise beyond our control. 

 Please contact us should you require any clarification or assistance with the application process at iss@qub.ac.uk.