Query on skill level for Tier 1 (Entrepreneur) visa

[chefaj]

Hello everybody,

I am currently on a PSW visa and am planning to apply for the Tier 1 (Entrepreneur) visa in the next few months. I have the required £50,000 ready for investment and plan to open a restaurant or a retail franchisee however being a chef by profession I understand I would not qualify for the visa as you need to be an NQF Level 4 or above on the skills list. Even being a head chef I would still fall under the NQF Level 3. Am I correct?

Can I opt to be a Business Development Manager or so as an alternative as I do plan to undertake work in other areas of my business. Is there a link to the list of occupations in which fall under the NQF Level 4? If I cannot open a restaurant I may consider opening another business. Has anyone applied for this visa having in mind a similar business plan

Need some suggestions please.

Thanks in advance

AJ

[Lucapooka]

The nature of the business also has to be at level 4 or above rather than the title you are applying to your role within the business. Business development manger of a fish and chip shop (for example) won't work!

[chefaj]

The nature of the business also has to be at level 4 or above rather than the title you are applying to your role within the business. Business development manger of a fish and chip shop (for example) won't work!

Thanks Lucapooka

In other words, are you saying setting up a restaurant/takeaway or a franchisee like Subway cannot be part of my business plan to obtain Tier 1 (Ent).

[Lucapooka]

Yes, that is what I am saying and it's probably come to the point where it's worth Subway making their own statements on this issue as, judging by the volume of citations of their franchises on this forum alone, they must be inundated with enquiries from PSW migrants that all amount to a waste of their time. They could save everyone a lot of trouble by simply having a banner that says their product is not acceptable for PSW-Tier 1 (Ent) 50K threshold.

[chefaj]

Yes, that is what I am saying and it's probably come to the point where it's worth Subway making their own statements on this issue as, judging by the volume of citations of their franchises on this forum alone, they must be inundated with enquiries from PSW migrants that all amount to a waste of their time. They could save everyone a lot of trouble by simply having a banner that says their product is not acceptable for PSW-Tier 1 (Ent) 50K threshold.

So how can one obtain a visa to open a restaurant in the UK?

[Lucapooka]

Tier 1 (Ent) with 200K, or with 50K if an approved venture capital firm were to seed the money. However, VC for a basic resaturant from someone with no experience or not a well-known chef is very unlikely.

[chefaj]

Tier 1 (Ent) with 200K, or with 50K if an approved venture capital firm were to seed the money. However, VC for a basic resaturant from someone with no experience or not a well-known chef is very unlikely.

Thanks for your input. Much appreciated. Will consider my options and get back if any further queries

[chefaj]

Tier 1 (Ent) with 200K, or with 50K if an approved venture capital firm were to seed the money. However, VC for a basic resaturant from someone with no experience or not a well-known chef is very unlikely.

I ended the topic just a bit too soon.

Can you shed more light on VC? How does this work? How much of my own money do I need? Do you mean 50k of my own money and 150k from VC? Kindly clarify. Thank you

[Lucapooka]

No, if you have Venture Capital you only need the 50K from the VC entity. There is no need to have any funds of your own. Please read the policy guidance for more information.

[chefaj]

No, if you have Venture Capital you only need the 50K from the VC entity. There is no need to have any funds of your own. Please read the policy guidance for more information.

Will do. Thank you