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Innovators Visa

What is an Innovators visa?

On 25 July 2000, the United Kingdom Government announced the Innovators pilot scheme. This will run from 4 September 2000 to 4 September 2002, after which date its continuation will be assessed. Its aim is to attract to the United Kingdom outstanding entrepreneurs from overseas whose business proposals will result in exceptional economic benefits for the United Kingdom.

What type of businesses fall under this category?

Although it is open to applicants who want to set up businesses in any sector, it is mainly designed for those specialising in:

High-tech areas,
In science
AND technology based sectors.

A successful applicant, therefore, will usually have not only an entrepreneurial track record or evidence of potential but also technical skills. The successful business proposal will aid the development of e-commerce and other new technologies in the United Kingdom.

What makes the Innovators scheme different to other business visas?

The key features of the Innovators scheme, compared with other business categories within the United Kingdom Immigration Rules, are:

Applications will be assessed on the basis of the exceptional economic benefit they will bring to the United Kingdom;
The selection process will be points-based and is designed to be flexible to accommodate a wide variety of applications;
No minimum investment is required; and
There is no requirement for personal funds to be invested - third party funding is permitted.

I think I qualify...

If you think you qualify, please click here [Innovator Ass.pdf] for the assessment form, complete in detail, and email/fax back to HFI (Email: info@hasslefree.co.za or fax: 27 11 388 0865). The fee for assessment is R 500.00 to be paid into our bank account and the turn-around time is 3 working days.

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