If you are an international entrepreneur or skilled migrant, and thinking of moving to the UK then you have likely considered the pros and cons of doing so. This article will highlight 5 disadvantages of moving to the UK as an international entrepreneur or skilled migrant. 

I have recently made a YouTube video covering the topic of moving to the UK as an international entrepreneur or skilled migrant. So, if you’re a “video person” then feel free to browse this topic on my YouTube channel. 

Nonetheless, let’s talk about moving to the UK as a founder or skilled employee. Most businesses operating in the immigration sector will overwhelm you with the advantages of considering the UK. And they are not necessarily wrong, there are plenty of advantages to moving to the UK. 

However, my goal is to be as authentic as possible, and represent the interests of international entrepreneurs and skilled professionals migrating to the UK. As such, I deemed it beneficial to dedicate an entire blog article/video to the disadvantages of moving to the UK. This is in light of the current political, economic and social landscapes. 

So, with that in mind, let’s look at the five disadvantages of moving to the UK on an Innovator Founder visa or as a skilled migrant. 

The social life (or lack thereof) 

As mentioned in the video, the UK’s culture is more reserved in contrast to many others around the world. 

This is simply a fact that you must accept. Nor should you expect a host country to change its culture for you to adapt. 

Nevertheless, my point here does not refer to the reserved nature of the UK’s social fabric. It refers to a sense of looming “dread” that has taken over the British Isles, especially after the 2020 Pandemic. 

The majority of people in the UK, with the exception of students, prefer to simply go to work and sit at home and watch TV. Other than that, there’s the culture of binge drinking, which may not appeal to everybody. 

This can also be partly blamed on the current cost of living crisis, as well as the rise of social media. The latter, in my opinion, has led to a decrease in people’s socialising skills and authenticity. 

Therefore, if you come from a people-oriented society/culture, which is predominant in Eastern cultures, this can be an issue. 

The UK’s polarised society 

There is a major divide between different segments of the society within the UK. As explained in the YouTube video, the key dividing factor in the UK is socio-economic class.

Regardless of being wealthy or not, you are somehow demonised by each class.

The housing crisis

Britain is facing a major housing crisis. I’m sure you can guess the outcome: you have to spend more for less. 

The UK has a demand-supply deficit of over 4 million homes, according to a report by the Centre for Cities in 2023. 

Hostility & micro-aggressions that drain your mental health

This is a byproduct of several issues such as the current politico-economic climate. Notably, issues such as the refugee crisis and so on. 

The purpose of this article is not to deconstruct these issues. I aim to paint a clearer picture of issues that international entrepreneurs and skilled migrants may face upon arrival in the UK. 

The everyday micro-aggressions and general tension within the UK society will eventually be draining. Plus, they add to the many problems that come with being a skilled migrant.

In my personal case, for instance, I substantially noticed this when using the NHS services, which I thought was quite unfair. Especially given that I was paying for it via the NHS Health Surcharge. 

The immigration system

Lastly, there is navigating the UK’s immigration system, which is constantly changing and subject to increased and strict scrutiny. Moreover, there is the issue of fee increases on a regular basis. This can really disadvantage certain migrants such as international entrepreneurs.

Of course, this is not to argue that the immigration system should accommodate everybody. International founders and skilled migrants are investing their time, skills and money. Thus, this can become a negative factor. 

These are the 5 disadvantages of moving to the UK as an international entrepreneur or skilled migrant. 

If you are still considering moving to the UK, and need help, feel free to drop me a message. 

This is particularly applicable to international founders considering the Innovator Founder visa and who need help with things such as their business plan. 

Sohrab Vazir at NatWest Great British Entrepreneur Awards

About | My name is Sohrab Vazir. I’m a UK-based entrepreneur and business consultant. At the age of 22, and while I was an international student (graduate), I started my own Property Technology (PropTech) business, StudyFlats. I did so by obtaining an endorsement from Newcastle University under the Tier 1 Graduate Entrepreneur Scheme (similar to the current Start-Up Visa). Subsequently, I obtained a further 3-year Tier 1 Entrepreneur Visa (replaced by the Innovator Visa). I grew my business to over 30 UK cities, and a team of four, and also obtained my Indefinite Leave to Remain (Settlement) in the UK. I now help other migrant entrepreneurs, such as myself, with their businesses, and mainly with obtaining endorsements from the endorsing bodies.