Sterling Law is a leading UK firm of business immigration solicitors. We advise founders, investors, and employers — from start-ups to multinationals — on coming to, hiring in, and expanding into the United Kingdom, acting for clients across the UK and around the world. Our advice is practical and commercially focused, and we support you end to end, from choosing the right route to compliance and settlement.
Key takeaways
- Business immigration covers the visa routes and sponsor obligations that let individuals build a business in the UK and let companies employ overseas talent.
- The Tier 1 (Investor) visa closed to new applicants on 17 February 2022 — there is no direct “visa for investment” any more.
- The main routes in 2026 are Innovator Founder, Global Talent, Scale-up, UK Expansion Worker, and Skilled Worker (including self-sponsorship) under a sponsor licence.
- Employers who want to hire from abroad need a sponsor licence and must meet ongoing compliance duties.
What is business immigration?
Business immigration — also called corporate or commercial immigration — is the area of UK immigration law that deals with coming to the UK to run or invest in a business, and with UK companies employing people from overseas. In practice it covers two sides of the same coin: routes for founders, investors, and self-employed individuals on one hand, and the sponsor licence and compliance framework for employers on the other. Because the rules change frequently and a refusal can be costly, most applicants and companies instruct a business immigration lawyer before they apply.
UK business immigration routes we advise on
There is no single “UK business visa” or “entrepreneur visa” — the old Tier 1 (Entrepreneur) route was replaced by the Innovator Founder visa. We set out the founder options in full on our UK visa options for entrepreneurs page. The right route depends on whether you are starting a company, moving an existing business, investing through your own venture, or relocating as valuable talent.
Innovator Founder visa
The Innovator Founder visa is for entrepreneurs setting up a new, innovative, and scalable business in the UK. There is no fixed minimum investment; the business idea must be endorsed by an approved endorsing body. The visa can lead to settlement after three years.
Global Talent visa
The Global Talent visa is for established or emerging leaders in academia and research, digital technology, and arts and culture. It requires no job offer and no sponsor, but you must be endorsed (or qualify through an eligible prestigious award). It suits tech founders and researchers.
Scale-up visa
The Scale-up visa is for skilled individuals recruited by a fast-growing UK business. The route is sponsored for the first six months and then becomes unsponsored, giving the holder freedom to change employer.
UK Expansion Worker
Part of the Global Business Mobility framework, the UK Expansion Worker route lets an overseas business send a senior employee to establish a UK branch or subsidiary. It replaced the closed Sole Representative visa and requires a UK Expansion Worker sponsor licence.
Skilled Worker and self-sponsorship
Employers can hire overseas staff on the Skilled Worker route once they hold a sponsor licence. Founders can also use self-sponsorship: incorporate a UK company, obtain a sponsor licence, and sponsor themselves as a Skilled Worker — a practical option for those who do not fit the Innovator Founder or Global Talent criteria.
High Potential Individual
The High Potential Individual visa is for recent graduates of top-ranked global universities. It needs no sponsor or job offer and is a useful way to enter the UK before switching into a business route.
What happened to the investor visa?
The Tier 1 (Investor) visa, which granted status in exchange for investing £2 million or more, closed to new applicants on 17 February 2022, and there is no direct replacement. Investors who want to relocate through capital now typically use the Innovator Founder route (investing in their own innovative business), Global Talent, or self-sponsorship through their own company. We can advise on the most suitable structure for your circumstances.
Business immigration for employers
If you employ, or plan to employ, workers who do not already have the right to work in the UK, you will usually need a sponsor licence. Our sponsor licence solicitors handle the whole process — eligibility assessment, application and supporting documents, preparation for Home Office compliance visits, assigning Certificates of Sponsorship, and ongoing compliance so your licence is not downgraded, suspended, or revoked. We act for start-ups applying for a first licence and for established multinationals running complex global mobility programmes.
Business immigration for founders and investors
For founders and investors, we assess which route fits your plans, prepare you for endorsement where it is required, review your business plan, and manage the application end to end. Where relocation of a company is involved, we advise on the UK Expansion Worker route and on setting up and staffing the UK entity.
Why choose Sterling Law
Sterling Law is a leading UK law firm of immigration solicitors with deep expertise in business and corporate immigration. Our business immigration services cover both individuals and companies. When you instruct us, you benefit from:
- experienced immigration solicitors;
- end-to-end support, from choosing the right route to settlement;
- cross-sector experience — technology, healthcare, hospitality, construction, finance, and more;
- support for both individuals and companies, from start-ups to multinationals.
To discuss your business immigration matter, book a confidential consultation using the form below.
Frequently asked questions
What is business immigration?
Business immigration is the part of UK immigration law that covers coming to the UK to run or invest in a business and UK companies employing overseas workers. It includes routes such as Innovator Founder and Global Talent, and the sponsor licence system for employers.
Do I need a solicitor for business immigration?
You are not required to use one, but business immigration applications are document-heavy and a refusal can be expensive and delay your plans. A business immigration lawyer helps you choose the right route, prepare a strong application, and stay compliant.
Which business visa replaced the Tier 1 Investor visa?
There is no direct replacement. The Investor visa closed in February 2022. Founders and investors now generally use the Innovator Founder route, Global Talent, or self-sponsorship through their own UK company.
How can a company hire workers from overseas?
The company usually needs a sponsor licence, after which it can assign a Certificate of Sponsorship and hire eligible workers on the Skilled Worker route. It must also meet ongoing sponsor compliance duties.
Where are your business immigration solicitors based?
Our solicitors are based in London and act for clients across the UK and internationally.
