The Start-up Endorsement Scheme (SES) provides Start-up visa endorsement to graduates and young entrepreneurs seeking to setup UK businesses. It aims to channel innovation into the UK economy.

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Eligibility

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You can apply to the Start-up Endorsement Scheme (SES) if:

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• You want to setup or run a business in the UK

• You have a business proposition that is innovative, viable and scalable

• You are a genuine founder and applying with your own business plan

• You have sufficient skills, resources, market awareness and business acumen to run your business

• You're from outside the European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland

• You meet the other eligibility requirements

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You do not need to demonstrate any investment funds to apply for the Start-up visa, but if you do, this will strengthen the case that your business meets the 'viable' requirement.

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How to apply

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The Innovate in Britain selection process involves 3 screening stages.

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To initiate your application you must complete an initial online application to check your suitability for the Start-up visa.

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If your application is successful, you will be invited to provide further details on your business. You may also be invited to attend a telephone and face-to-face interview. If you are successful at this stage, you will be awarded endorsement.

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Once you have received endorsement, you can apply to the Home Office for a Start-up visa.

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What happens after endorsement

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Once you have received endorsement from Innovate in Britain, we will monitor the progress you make on your business at checkpoints 6, 12 and 24 months from your initial endorsement.

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How long the assessment takes

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There is currently a significant delay in the assessment of endorsement applications due to restrictions imposed on the number of endorsements that can be issued by our organisation. At this time it is not possible to provide an exact timeframe on when your application will be processed. While we appreciate that this will create uncertainty for applicants, we would like to reassure you that you will be contacted by the relevant individual within our organisation as soon as there is an update to share regarding the status of your application.