What is the Graduate Entrepreneur visa?
The Tier 1 Graduate Entrepreneur Visa allows non-European graduates, who have been identified by their institution as having a business idea that is genuine and credible and demonstrates entrepreneurial skills, to extend their stay in the UK after graduation to establish one or more businesses in the UK.
A genuine and credible business should be able to demonstrate:
– A sound financial plan,
– A clear business development strategy and
– Evidence of who or how the development of the business will supported
The visa will be valid for 12 months initially, with a possible extension for a second year, if sufficient progress is made in year one. Successful applicants will be required to present a plan of action for their first year at their first monitoring meeting with the International Student Support office and progress will be assessed based upon this plan of action and milestones reached during the year.
Who can apply?
Only non-EU/international UG and PG students from Imperial College and Imperial graduates, who have completed their course within the past 3 years, are eligible to apply for endorsement by Imperial College (the 3 year period will be calculated from the date of award). Post-Doctoral researchers currently employed by Imperial College and on a Tier 2 visa may also apply, as long as they hold a UK degree.
Application process and timeline
An information session is scheduled for the evening of 26 April to provide further information to anyone interested in the scheme.
- First round – Applicants complete and submit an online endorsement application form which will be available from 3 May to 2 June. These applications will be assessed by the Initial Assessment Panel and applicants will be notified on 14 June of the outcome.
- Second round – Successful first round applications will then have the opportunity to pitch their idea to the Graduate Entrepreneur Panel. This will also provide the panel an opportunity to ask more detailed questions about the business.