With the post-Brexit globalization repositioning of the UK, coupled with policies that favor high-quality innovative entrepreneurs, theStarting a Business in the UKimmigrantsThe heat is on in 2025.. For Chinese applicants wishing to settle in the UK as business owners, "self-employed visa"vs."Innovator Founder Visa"Becoming the center of attention.

This article will take you on an in-depth look at both types of 2025business migrantThe latest changes in pathways, application requirements, suitable groups and key points for success will help you quickly locate the right immigration method for you.

I. What is the United Kingdombusiness migrantWhat are the main pathways to 2025?

The UK's current officially recognized methods of entrepreneurial type of immigration include:

• Innovator Founder Visa(Innovative Founder Visa): Replaces the Innovator Visa and supports founders of innovative business plans to start their own businesses.

• Self-Employment Pathway(No specialized visa designation, usually operates through Global Talent Visa, short-term visa conversion, etc.): Suitable for freelancers, consultants, small studio founders.

Compared to the traditional work visaEntrepreneurial immigration puts more emphasis on the applicant's business ability, innovative ideas and willingness to develop in the UK in the long term.The

Second, 2025 Innovator Founder Visa New Deal Details

✅ Core strengths:

• One step to 3 years to apply for permanent residence

• May be self-employed, own shares and participate in management

• No additional guarantees are required, as long as the project is endorsed by an officially recognized institution.

📝 Application Requirements (up-to-date criteria as of 2025):

1. Innovative business plans: It must be a creative project that is not yet widely available in the marketplace

2. letter of endorsement: from the UK Home Office approvedCertification Body(Endorsing Body)

3. English proficiency: CEFR B2 level (IELTS 5.5-6.0)

4. start-up capital: No fixed amount, but a minimum of £25,000 is recommended (depending on the business plan).

5. True entrepreneurial intent: Need to demonstrate a clear and executable 3-year business roadmap

📌 Change in focus of endorsing organization:

From 2025 onwards, endorsing organizations are focusing more on areas such as sustainability, AI technology and green industry, and traditional e-commerce and agency projects are more difficult to be approved.

III. Self-employment pathways: flexible but not a low threshold

Although the UK does not have a specific "self-employment visa", it does have a "self-employment visa".Self-employed workersEntrepreneurship and settlement can be achieved through the following paths:

• Global Talent: Suitable for top talent in the fields of science and technology, design, culture and creativity, with visa flexibility for self-employment.

• Student turned entrepreneur: Starting a company in the UK after graduation with some business potential can be converted to an Innovator Founder visa.

• Family Work Visa (Spouse Visa): A person with a spouse's work visa or permanent residence status may legally conduct a self-employed business.

✅ Suitable for people:

• Freelancers such as self-publishers, programmers, designers, translators, etc.

• Entrepreneurs who have an overseas customer base and can start a business without a large initial investment

• Applicants with spouses in the UK who are working legally on dependant visas

⚠️ Notes:

• Self-employment income is legally taxable and needs to be registered as a company or declared as a self-employed person

• No official backing organization support, immigrants need to pay special attention to document compliance when converting

IV. The business plan is the key to success or failure

Whether you are applying for an Innovator Founder visa or intend to apply for permanent residence gradually through the self-employment route, a logical, UK market-driven **Business Plan** is a core document.

A successful business plan usually includes:

1. Business Model Innovation Points

2. UK Local Market Research

3. Target Customer Analysis

4. Three-Year Revenue and Earnings Forecast

5. Team composition and division of labor

6. Development and exit strategies

   

It is recommended to cooperate with professional consulting organizations to ensure that the project has the real ability to land and business value.

V. Sharing of real cases of successful settlement

• Case 1: Mr. Zhao, Founder of AI SaaS Platform

  • Background: Partner of an IT company in Beijing

  • Path: Endorsed by Tech Nation UK support, coming to the UK on an Innovator Founder visa in 2024

  • Outcome: First round of financing completed in 2025, plans to apply for permanent residence

• Case 2: Ms. Wang, a self-employed illustrator

  • Background: Freelance illustrator with clients in China, UK and the US

  • Path: Land in London on a dependent visa, register as a sole trader and pay tax on self-employed income for two consecutive years

    

  • Outcome: ready to apply for permanent residence in 2025 on a permanent residence + tax compliance pathway

VI. Is UK business immigration right for you?

If you are consideringImmigration to the UK, or looking to open a second curve in your life by starting a business overseas, now is the perfect time. Prepare your business plan to go international and change the future from 2025.