When conflict rises into major confrontation, the strength of business and business abilities can sometimes go unrecognised.
Business leaders of the past and present have been lauded for their “citizen diplomacy,” often establishing bridgeheads of commerce, comity, and understanding when all other forms of diplomacy have failed.
With the current war, it’s no surprise that many Ukrainian business owners are looking to establish new branches, subsidiaries, and even new organisations in the UK.
In this post, we will walk you through the best ways for Ukrainians to relocate to and establish a business in the United Kingdom.
What Structure Does My Business Need?
You may start your business in the UK in a range of different ways:
- set up a new UK company
- establish business presence of an overseas company in the UK
- acquire an existing UK company
- appoint an agent or deal through a partner
- target UK market from the outside via the Internet
What Visa Options Are There?
Visas have altered slightly in 2022, with the UK Home Office recently amending Immigration Laws, and there are five major avenues that Ukrainian nationals can use to enter the UK.
Skilled worker visa
To be able to apply for this visa, you need to either have an offer of employment from an employer in the UK that has a sponsor’s License, or you can set up your own company with the aim of conducting business operations. However, if you start a brand-new company, such a company can’t apply for a sponsor licence before it has presented the Home Office with sufficient evidence to prove that it has been trading.
To qualify for a sponsor licence, a business must provide (at a minimum) the following evidence to support its application:
- A business bank statement
- Employers Liability Insurance
- Evidence of business location such as office lease
- Registration with HMRC
In addition to supplying this proof when applying for a sponsor licence, the UK company must have a UK based employee to submit the application on the company’s behalf.
It is essential to understand that this individual IS NOT YOU OR A RELATIVE.
Once the company has been granted a Sponsor’s License, the company can employ Skilled Workers from outside the UK.
The ‘Skilled Worker’ Visa allows you to work in the United Kingdom for an employer that has been approved by the Home Office. It has taken the position of the Tier 2 (General) Visa, with major adjustments to make the process go more smoothly.
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The Salary Threshold has been lowered, the Cap has been lifted, and the Resident Labour Market Test has been eliminated.
To qualify:
- You must have a job offer from a UK employer who is accepted as a sponsor
- You must have a Certificate of Sponsorship including information on the job
- You must be paid the minimum wage for that particular occupation
With the help of The One World this is actually quite achievable.
Start Up Visa
The UK Start-up visa is for new entrepreneurs from Ukraine or other countries who want to start a business in the United Kingdom for the first time. You don’t have to be a graduate or have any upfront funding. You must, however, have a feasible, scalable, and unique company proposal that has been approved by an endorsing organisation.
With so much Ukrainian immigration to the UK the start-up visa is looking to be a good choice for a UK business visa for Ukraine.
The start-up visas are one-time visas that are valid for two years and do not lead to permanent residence in the United Kingdom. Start-up visa holders, on the other hand, can prolong their stay in the Innovator visa category and apply for ILR after three years. Applicants for a start-up visa are allowed to bring their partner and any children under the age of 18 to the United Kingdom.
Innovator Visa
The innovator visa application process is a relatively easy one and all you have to do is establish that your company has the potential to expand, will remain innovative, and will benefit the UK.
If you wish to start a new business, you should have a minimum of £50,000 in investment money to qualify for an Innovator visa. You must demonstrate where you received your funding. If your business has already been formed and has been approved for an earlier visa, you do not require any investment capital.
You can now work for another company in the UK while running your own business provided you qualify for the innovator visa.
Global Mobility Visa
The Global Mobility Visa, which is part of the Global Mobility Scheme, is a new category of sponsored routes for foreign enterprises looking to establish a presence in the UK or move employees for specified business purposes. On April 11, 2022, these new routes will be open to applicants. This Visa is divided into five subcategories:
- Expansion Worker route
- Graduate Trainee route
- Service supplier route
- secondment worker route
As with all of the visa options available, the Global Mobility Visa falls under the UK Government’s Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme and it does give overseas individuals a chance of a new life, and a new job in a new country via sponsorship. If you’d like to know more about the sponsorship licence, then speak to a business consultancy and concierge service like The One World.
High Potential individual Visa
The purpose of this visa is to recruit high-potential individuals who have graduated from world-class universities. Graduates can apply for the visa even if they do not have a job offer in the UK.
At the moment, there is no clear definition of what constitutes a top university or what ‘high potential’ entails. A premier university, on the other hand, is clearly a well-known, government-approved institution.
The age, grades, and type of qualification of the graduate may all play a part in whether or not he is eligible for the visa.
How Can We Help?
It is not surprising that Ukrainian business owners and entrepreneurs are looking to come to the UK to set up a business.
The One World are a professional and experienced business concierge and consultancy firm based in London, who can not only walk you through the whole relocation and immigration process but can also help you to set up your business in the UK as smoothly as possible.
From registering your company with Companies House, making sure you are registered with the HMRC and putting you in touch with experienced accountants and immigration solicitors The One World are here to ensure that your transition from the Ukraine to the UK is as streamlined as possible. We can even offer you a registered address for your business in one of the most affluent areas of London.
