Starting business in home country while on Tier 2

[MooseCadet]

Hello everyone,

I know that Tier 2 rules preclude visa holders from becoming self-employed, starting a business or joining a business as a director - but I was wondering if this applied only to UK businesses?

I would like to co-own a business in my home country with a close friend - they would run the business from within our home country and I would not be employed by the company (I.e. I would be a business partner and provide expertise but would not earn a salary from the business). The reason being that the idea was a joint venture between us both, and it feels unfair for only one of us to proceed without the other.

Would I be allowed to co-own this business as it isn't a UK business and by the rules of my home country I don't need to be resident to be a shareholder and/or director? Or does the rule against joining a business apply, regardless of where the business operates?

Thanks and I hope that's clear!