Tier 1 Graduate Entrepreneur Policy and Procedure

Transcription

1 Tier 1 Graduate Entrepreneur Plicy and Prcedure MONJUR AHMED 23/12/2014 VERSION 1.1 PAGE 1

2 Table f Cntents Aims... 3 Scpe f the Plicy... 3 GE Endrsement limits... 3 Eligibility Criteria... 3 Applicatin Prcess... 4 First Year Endrsements... 4 Secnd Year Endrsements... 4 Mnitring and Cmpliance... 5 Changes f Circumstances... 5 Withdrawal f Spnsrship... 5 MONJUR AHMED 23/12/2014 VERSION 1.1 PAGE 2

3 Aims 1. The Tier 1 Graduate Entrepreneur (GE) categry allws graduates frm utside f the EU/EEA t remain in the UK fr up t 2-years t develp innvative business ideas r entrepreneurial skills. Scpe f the Plicy 2. This plicy utlines the regulatins and prcesses gverned by UK Visa and Immigratin (UKVI) guidelines fr spnsring a graduate under the Tier 1 Graduate Entrepreneur scheme. 3. Astn University is a UKVI recgnised spnsr under the Tier 1 GE arrangements and is able t endrse graduates that have been assessed by the University as having a genuine and credible business idea. 4. Students r graduates will be required t underg an assessment t determine the credibility f their prpsed business. T d this, students r graduates must submit an applicatin t Birmingham Skills fr Enterprise and Emplyability Netwrk (BSeen). BSeen is a cllabrative initiative set up by the University t assist students and graduates in business thrugh a start-up prgramme. 5. Once accepted n the BSeen prgramme, the University Hub, Advice Zne will determine whether r nt the University can endrse them under Tier 1 GE and act as their Spnsr. 6. This plicy dcument is current and up-t-date at the time f publishing but will be reviewed annually and is subject t change. GE Endrsement limits 7. GE Endrsements: GE Endrsement renewal date: April 2016 Eligibility Criteria 9. Applicants t the scheme must have: graduated frm Astn University with a Bachelr s degree, Master s Degree, r PhD within the immediate 3-years preceding the date f applicatin fr Tier 1 GE; and been accepted by the BSeen prgramme, therefre cnfirming that they have a genuine, credible and innvative business idea; and a gd engagement recrd with the University during their academic studies; and agreed t a minimum f 4 pints f cntact pints with the University; and MONJUR AHMED 23/12/2014 VERSION 1.1 PAGE 3

4 held a minimum f 945 f funds held in their bank accunt fr a cnsecutive perid f 90 days befre the date f applicatin, set in the apprpriate manner as defined by the Tier 1 GE plicy guidance; and have valid leave t remain in the UK in ne f the fllwing categries Tier 4 migrant Graduate Graduate nurse Graduate re-sitting an examinatin Graduate writing up a thesis Pstgraduate dctr r dentist Tier 1 (Graduate entrepreneur) migrant Tier 2 (General) migrant Applicatin Prcess 10. Applicatins fr an initial Tier 1 GE grant f leave can either be made inside the UK r frm abrad. The Hub, Advice Zne will prvide advice and guidance t the individual regarding the applicatin prcess. First Year Endrsements 11. Graduates r current students clse t their award date shuld request an endrsement under the Tier 1 GE scheme frm the Hub, Advice Zne. 12. An adviser will reserve an endrsement reference number fr the individual, pending cnfirmatin that all f the eligibility criteria has been met. 13. Once the individual meets the criteria the Hub, Advice Zne will issue an endrsement letter fr a 12 mnth Tier 1 GE visa applicatin. 14. Visa applicatins cannt be made withut this endrsement letter. Secnd Year Endrsements 15. Tier 1 GE visa hlders seeking an extensin fr a further 12-mnths will have t demnstrate that they have made sufficient prgress n their business r business idea. 16. BSeen will be respnsible fr assessing prgressin and the University will have final say n apprval. 17. Shuld the individual be unable t demnstrate sufficient prgress n their business r business idea, the University reserves the right t refuse an endrsement and reprt t UKVI. 18. The maximum time available as a Tier 1 (Graduate entrepreneur) migrant is 24 mnths in ttal. This des nt necessarily have t be tw cnsecutive perids f leave. MONJUR AHMED 23/12/2014 VERSION 1.1 PAGE 4

5 19. Where a candidate is successfully awarded an initial Tier 1 GE and decides t pt fr a gap between the initial Tier 1 GE grant f leave and the secnd endrsement, the University will nly cnsider graduates wh have graduated frm the University within 3 years f the date f the secnd applicatin. 20. The level f engagement that a graduate had with the University as a Tier 1 GE migrant during their first 12-mnth perid will be taken int cnsideratin by the University befre endrsing the graduate fr a secnd 12-mnth perid. Mnitring and Cmpliance 21. The University requires the successful Tier 1 Graduate Entrepreneur t maintain a minimum f 4 cntacts with the University thrughut the duratin f the each 12 mnth leave perid granted. 22. The University reserves the right t request additinal cntacts t be agreed with the individual. 23. Pints f cntact will be determined by BSeen and the University, and mnitred by the Visa Cmpliance Team. 24. Failure t cmply with a cntact pint, withut ntifying the University r BSeen, may result in withdrawal f endrsement. This will be at the discretin f the University. 25. Individuals with a Tier 1 GE visa must spend the majrity f their time in the UK develping and grwing their business 26. The University will keep cpies f all dcumentatin used as evidence f prgressin f the individual s business. Changes f Circumstances 27. Any changes f circumstance must be cmmunicated t the University within 10 days f the change taking place. Examples are: Change f address r cntact details Mving t a different visa categry Ceasing t perate the agreed business Leaving the UK fr mre than 60 days Criminal cnvictins Withdrawal f Spnsrship 28. The University may withdraw spnsrship in the fllwing circumstances: Failure t ntify the University f a change f circumstance; Failure t prgress the business as agreed; Missing any f the agreed cntact pints. 29. We will endeavur t wrk practively with the individual t reslve issues befre deciding t withdraw. MONJUR AHMED 23/12/2014 VERSION 1.1 PAGE 5