Tier 2 query

[smash]

Dear members,

Could you please assist me with the following query:

Is it possible to open a company and become a shareholder of that company under Tier 2 General Visas. My visa is sponsored by the company I work for full time while the new company is a co venture opened separately and has got no relationship to the company which has sponsored my visa. It is completely a separate business

If you could please advise or direct me towards the section related to this that will be of great help.

Thanks

[Frontier Mole]

You can set up a company, you can own shares, you can operate the business but you can't work for the company.
The only exception would be if you meet the secondary or supplementary working requirements.
The general view held is that as so as you enter self employment that is a breach of your tier 2 visa and leaves you vulnerable to curtailment.
Separating the involvement with your own business, working / supporting the venture and the rules regarding secondary / supplementary employment and the absolute of no no of self employment is a mine field that is nearly impossible to navigate.