About Commercial Loans and Opening Business on T4

Hello,

I entered UK with student visa and plan to open my own business later. But I would need to meet capital requirements for certain aspects such as acquisition of other businesses.

I don't have permanent residency or citizenship but I have gathered a board of directors from UK with experience over 100 years of experience in total and dozens of acquisition deals. They will also become free-founder equity owner and shareholders with around 30% of the company when I open the shell corporation.

Am I eligible to get commercial loans from lenders with just student visa? Or open a business during my stay with the same visa or switch to another visa that way? I know I can't work in it longer than 20 hours a week since I cannot be employed, but I don't recall anything about buying/selling/opening a business or hiring a manager to fill the role.

I understand if you say it is legal but lenders may not like it, but I need to know if it's legal.

Have a nice day.

Page 53 in the guidance.

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.u ... _2019_.pdf

Work that is not allowed
216. If you are allowed to work, you cannot:
Published on 02 August 2019
Page 54 of 109
• be employed as a doctor or dentist in training (except on a
recognised foundation programme);
• be employed as a professional sportsperson (including a sports
coach);
• be employed as an entertainer;
• be self-employed (except where you are awaiting a decision on an
application you have made for leave to remain as a Tier 1
(Graduate Entrepreneur) Migrant);
• engage in business activity;
• fill a full-time, permanent vacancy (except on a recognised
foundation programme or where you are filling a post as a Student
Union Sabbatical Officer).

From what you are describing, it sounds like you are on the wrong type of visa. A Tier 4 can be revoked, including at the airport, if they establish that the student in engaged in serious business activity or work beyond what is authorized.

In terms of loans, each lender decides what to do with his money. The Home Office cannot force a lender to accept or not to accept a loan application. However, most lenders won't lend money unless they see a UK passport or a permanent residence. The T4 is a very fragile visa :/ But one of your associate can take the load if his British or permanent resident.

In other hand, you have a company, a business load, people working... is a strong presumption that you are doing business/working extensively while on T4 and this can cause troubles with the Home Office.