Tier 2 General - running a business

Hi All,

If a person is in UK under Tier 2 General, what are his option of running a business legally in the country?

I do understand that under Tier 2 General, it is not possible to run a business as a Sole Trader, however are the other alternatives allowed? Limited companies, partnerships?

So far, I can think of two options of setting up a legal business under Tier 2:
1. Change immigration status to one that allows running a business.
2. Find a friend/colleague with a Tier 1 or UK passport, who would take responsibility for the legal set up of the business (registration/bank account etc), while Tier 2 person runs the business.

Any other options?

You cannot be self-employed when in UK as a Tier 2 migrant.

pincher wrote:So far, I can think of two options of setting up a legal business under Tier 2:
1. Change immigration status to one that allows running a business.
2. Find a friend/colleague with a Tier 1 or UK passport, who would take responsibility for the legal set up of the business (registration/bank account etc), while Tier 2 person runs the business.

Any other options?

The options make no sense:
1. When you change immigration categories you are no longer a Tier 2 migrant!!
2. Running the business is not same as owning a business!! In order for the company to employ you to "run" the business, the company will need to sponsor you as a Tier 2 migrant. In such case, you'll still be Tier 2 migrant employed to "run/manage" the functions of an organisation .... just as any other Tier 2 migrant in the UK.

sushdmehta wrote:You cannot be self-employed when in UK as a Tier 2 migrant.

pincher wrote:So far, I can think of two options of setting up a legal business under Tier 2:
1. Change immigration status to one that allows running a business.
2. Find a friend/colleague with a Tier 1 or UK passport, who would take responsibility for the legal set up of the business (registration/bank account etc), while Tier 2 person runs the business.

Any other options?

The options make no sense:
1. When you change immigration categories you are no longer a Tier 2 migrant!!
2. Running the business is not same as owning a business!! In order for the company to employ you to "run" the business, the company will need to sponsor you as a Tier 2 migrant. In such case, you'll still be Tier 2 migrant employed to "run/manage" the functions of an organisation .... just as any other Tier 2 migrant in the UK.

Thanks for your reply. I guess I should have been more clear. If a person is in UK under Tier 2 and has a full time job with an employer who sponsors him/her.

In this situation, what are the options for running a business part-time, in addition to full time day job:
1. Yes, this option involves changing the immigration status.
2. Just realized that even if someone else opens a company on your behalf and you run it, you still cannot legally claim the profits, since you are not allowed to run a business under Tier 2.

Any other alternatives? Or changing immigration status is the only option?

Also on this page http://www.lawfirmuk.net/english/work.htm, it states:
"Tier 2 (General) workers are not allowed to enter self-employment, set-up a business or join another business as a director or partner without obtaining further permission from the Home Office. "

What is this "further permission"?

you can work for 16 hours on top of your day job if you meet certain conditions. does that proposition interest you.

but you CANT be self employed while on tier 2