Startup Visa Info Guide

Funding Requirements

Applicants must demonstrate financial support (also known as ‘maintenance’) as part of the formal application to the UK Home Office. All applicants are required to show that they have money to support themselves in their account for at least 90 consecutive days prior to the date of their application.

The Home Office maintenance requirements for Startup Visa applications specify that money available to the applicant must be held in the applicant’s account for a period of 90 consecutive days, with a closing balance no more than 31 days before the date of application. The required amount of money is as follows:

• £1,890 for applications made outside the UK
• £945 for applications made inside the UK.

The above amounts are subject to change – please check.

The account must be in the applicant’s name only or a joint account if the applicant is one of the named account holders. It is not possible to use an account in the name of a parent(s) or legal guardian(s). The form in which these funds must be held is detailed in the startup visa policy guidance (see link above).

What documents are needed?

A valid Letter of Endorsement from Coventry University

A degree level or above qualification from Coventry University, evidenced by a certificate or transcript and award letter

A business plan assessed and accepted by Coventry University, as confirmed by an Endorsement Letter

Confirmation that the applicant’s English Language ability is at the required level, this is evidenced by the educational qualification. The endorsement letter would confirm that the applicant has a degree level or above qualification, so it is not necessary to take another English Language test.

Evidence that the applicant has had the required money in a bank account for 90 days – see the below for more details.

Note: If you are currently sponsored by a government or international scholarship agency, or if you have been sponsored by a government or international scholarship agency within the 12-month period preceding your application, your financial sponsor must confirm in writing that it gives its unconditional consent for you to re-enter or remain in the UK. This written consent must include permission for you to extend your stay in the UK under the Startup Visa category.

How much will the visa cost?

All of the visa processing fees are shown on the Government web-site and it is strongly recommended that applicants familiarise themselves with all of the relevant charges.

The cost of the process includes the visa processing fee, a variable health surcharge (according to circumstances), finger printing (biometrics) and the incubation programme fee (which is payable once the visa has been issued).

Visa application fees

	Fee if you are applying outside the UK *	Fee if you are applying inside the UK *
Main applicant	£363	£493
Main applicant (if they are a national of Turkey or FYR of Macedonia)	£308	£438
All dependants	£363 each person	£493 each person

Health Surcharge & Finger Print fees – Please check according to your circumstances

Incubation programme fees  – Please see Incubation Programme

* (Correct as at 1st of April 2019 – check www.gov.uk/start-up-visa before applying)

–> Work Restrictions and Dependents