Seeking funding

[JCBrown]

Hi guys, How do you secure funding as someone who isn’t a UK or European citizen?

 

[Mark T Jones]

Citizenship isn't usually the problem per se - residency and leave to remain / visas might be

 

[JCBrown]

Citizenship isn't usually the problem per se - residency and leave to remain / visas might be

If you do have a Visa, are you entitled to funding just like everybody else would be?

 

[Mark T Jones]

If you do have a Visa, are you entitled to funding just like everybody else would be?

I don't know the ins and outs of visas, but broadly speaking if you are clearly entitled to live & work in the UK, then you should be eligible for funding - usually up to 6 months prior to the end off your visa.

Lenders will differ, of course.

 

[Ian J]

I don't know the ins and outs of visas, but broadly speaking if you are clearly entitled to live & work in the UK, then you should be eligible for funding

Eligibility is one thing but obtaining the funding is another as lenders will want to see that the borrower is not a man of straw just as they would for UK citizens

 

[japancool]

Also, some visas require you to work in a specific job, with sponsorship from your employer. You wouldn't, in that case, be eligible to start up your own company and work in it while in the UK.

There are other factors too. While a spouse of someone with one of the above visas is allowed to work in any job, funders might want to know the duration of the visa-holder's visa, to make sure they don't vanish with the money.

I have indefinite leave to remain, and I had the same issues and hurdles that a UK citizen would have had. Once I had demonstrated that I had ILR and that I lived here on a permanent basis, it no longer factored into the equation.

 

[Mark T Jones]

Also, some visas require you to work in a specific job, with sponsorship from your employer. You wouldn't, in that case, be eligible to start up your own company and work in it while in the UK.

There are other factors too. While a spouse of someone with one of the above visas is allowed to work in any job, funders might want to know the duration of the visa-holder's visa, to make sure they don't vanish with the money.

I have indefinite leave to remain, and I had the same issues and hurdles that a UK citizen would have had. Once I had demonstrated that I had ILR and that I lived here on a permanent basis, it no longer factored into the equation.

Agree, ILR is effectively treated as citizenship for lending purposes.

From memory, the Entrepreneur's visa is favoured.

 

[japancool]

Agree, ILR is effectively treated as citizenship for lending purposes.

From memory, the Entrepreneur's visa is favoured.

The Tier 1 Entrepreneur's visa is no longer available, unfortunately.