Endorsing Body

Due to the large volume of enquiries for visa endorsements and to ensure timely responses and action we are suspending all new applications until Monday 2 November 2020.

Any Enquiries / applications received prior to 8 October 2020 will be dealt with in the normal manner, however any enquiries received after this date and before 2 November 2020 will not be acknowledged. Please wait until after 2 November before sending in any requests for information.

Start-up and Innovator Visa Schemes

The North East Business and Innovation Centre (BIC) is an approved endorsing body (please visit link for more information) for visa applicants for the new Start-up visa and Innovator visa. The Start-up and Innovator visa categories are for non-European Economic Area nationals wishing to set up a business in the UK. To qualify for a visa, applicants must obtain an endorsement from an approved endorsing body.

The role of the Endorsing Body

To receive an Innovator visa or a Start-up visa, an applicant must first be endorsed by a recognised Endorsing Body. If endorsement is obtained, then stage two of the application process is an application to the Home Office to assess whether the applicant meets the additional requirements of the visa scheme.

The endorsement will be in the form of an endorsing letter which is used to support the visa application. An endorsing body does not make Immigration decisions but enables visa applicants, with innovative business ideas and good business plans, to progress their application to the stage of being considered by the Home Office.

Criteria

Start-up – Suitable for early stage but high potential entrepreneurs who are keen to develop their business in the UK for the first time. Start-up visas are one-off visas valid for 2 years.

Innovator- suitable for experience business people who are looking to set up a new business in the UK. Innovator visas are valid for 3 years.

To secure an endorsement the applicant for either a Start-up visa or Innovator visa must be able to show the Endorsing Body that they have a business idea that is:

Innovative

Do you have a genuine, original plan that meets new or existing market needs and/or creates a competitive advantage?

Viable

Do you have the necessary skills, knowledge, experience and market awareness to run the business successfully?” Do you have adequate finance to deliver your business plan? For Innovator category proof of the availability of at least £50k

Scalable

Can you show that you have a structure for growth and job creation?

Please note that membership of the North East BIC’s Enterprise Development Programme (EDP) is mandatory for applicants who are accepted for review along with basing your business from one of our two locations in the North East of England. A joining fee is applicable. Applicants must have a genuine and credible business proposition with priority given to those that demonstrate innovation and best growth potential. Further details are provided following an initial enquiry by email.

Find out more

Due to the large volume of enquiries for visa endorsements and to ensure timely responses and action we are suspending all new applications until Monday 2 November 2020.