Sohrab Vazir
Consultant | Founder | Global Citizen | Writer
Tag Archives: Business Immigration
The general costs of running a limited company in the UK
If you want to start a business in the UK, one of the most common ways is through incorporating a limited company. There are various business structures in the UK that one may start a business through. The most common ways are: It is ultimately up to you to decide which structure fits you best. Each has its own tax implications and regulatory requirements. However, assuming that you wish to start a limited company in the UK, below are some of the costs that you will incur. Accounting Limited companies require the director(s) to submit annual accounts. Preparing and filing a limited company’s accounts, in most cases, will require an accountant’s assistance. The costs of an accountant can vary based on: Generally, you can expect to pay your accountant anywhere between ÂŁ500-ÂŁ2000 per year. These are broad estimates, and you may even have to pay more in certain circumstances. Registered address UK limited companies require a registered address. If you have an office, then that address will suffice. However, if you do not have an office, there are two options: Confirmation statement Limited companies are required to file a Confirmation Statement every year, which costs ÂŁ13. On many occasions, this fee will be covered by your accountant as part of their services. Company incorporation Depending on how you incorporate your company, there is an incorporation fee. The cost can range from ÂŁ10 to ÂŁ40. Corporation tax This will depend on whether your UK limited company makes a profit. Currently, the UK’s corporation tax rate is per below: 19% : for limited companies with profits between 0-ÂŁ50,000 25%: for limited companies with profits above ÂŁ250,000 For full information, please refer to the UK Government’s website. These are some of the general costs of running a UK limited company. If you are planning to start a business in the UK and need help, get in touch with me to start your journey today. 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 which I scaled to over 30 UK cities. I currently help other entrepreneurs and businesses of all size across several domains. For my credentials, please see here.
What you should NOT do when writing an Innovator Founder visa business plan
None of the content in this article, website, or my services constitute immigration advice or services. This content is presented as general information and on the basis of personal opinion. For immigration assistance, please refer to a regulated solicitor or immigration advisor. Writing an Innovator Founder visa business plan can be challenging. That’s one of the reasons why many international founders opt to work with me on their Innovator Founder visa business plan. If you plan to apply for the Innovator Founder visa, you must prepare a business plan. I have previously written an article about how to create an Innovator Founder visa business plan. In this article, I want to share some tips on writing an Innovator Founder visa business plan. Specifically, I will be highlighting things that you should NOT do when you are planning your venture. Remember: the perfect business plan does not boil down to being well-written or well-designed (although these are also essential). Writing the ideal Innovator Founder visa business plan requires a well-thought, viable and clear business proposition. These tips will help you in formulating both your business plan, as well as some of the fundamental aspects of your business planning. Overpromise This is one of the biggest mistakes made by founders. Sadly, international entrepreneurs are not exempt either. And it’s easy to understand why: you want to present the “ideal” image for your concept, whether it’s to the Innovator Founder Endorsing Bodies, the Home Office or even investors. However, this is a dangerous mistake, especially if you are held accountable for making progress against your initial Innovator Founder visa business plan. Underestimate your competition & market dynamics In line with the last point, some founders also underestimate their market and competition. This may be done either intentionally, to present an inaccurate/idealistic image of the market, or unintentionally as a result of personal neglect. Overestimate your offer This is an advice that you may not get from many consultants. Remember: simplicity is key. Keep everything as simple and straightforward as possible. Don’t write pages and pages about why your product is ideal and what it does. Instead, dedicate your content to presenting evidence of your venture and the market’s viability. Neglect the financials Cash flow and financial management are integral to every business. You must plan for and state all instances of incoming and outgoing cash flow. Have a plan B for every scenario and determine the financial implications of all scenarios. Need help with writing your Innovator Founder visa business plan? Read about my full services here to find out more. 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. Subsequently, I obtained a further 3-year Tier 1 Entrepreneur Visa (replaced by the Innovator Founder 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.
Is the “innovation” requirement of the Innovator Founder visa flawed? | Policy Analysis
This article solely represents a case of personal evaluation and opinion. It shall by no means constitute immigration and/or professional advice. Policymakers are particularly invited to engage with this content and communicate their views accordingly. The innovation factor is a core and integral element of the Innovator Founder visa policy. However, is this requirement flawed? In this article, I will highlight the potential drawbacks and flaws of the innovation requirement. Unlike the former UK business visa schemes such as the Tier 1 Entrepreneur scheme, the Innovator Founder visa policy has emphasised innovation as a key element. On the surface, this may appear to be an appropriate shift in the interest of attracting high-quality businesses and entrepreneurs to the UK. However, a closer examination reveals certain flaws. What is the innovation requirement under the Innovator Founder visa? Per the Innovator Founder visa policy, innovation is a key benchmark for applicant assessment and determining their suitability. Each applicant’s business (idea) must satisfy the following three criteria: The wording of the Home Office defines innovation as the following: “The applicant must have a genuine, original business plan that meets new or existing market needs and/or creates a competitive advantage” This wording is referencing the Home Office’s policy guidance for its staff, dated 7th December 2023. Innovation: a sound requirement in theory Now, it is important to note that the innovation requirement is not theoretically incorrect or inappropriate. It is my view that any nation should be able to determine its rules for immigration pathways. Furthermore, the innovation requirement ensures the quality of applicants and their ventures under the Innovator Founder visa. Therefore, I believe that the requirement in itself may be valuable in principle. However, similar to many other policies, there is a distinction between “theoretically valuable” and “practical”. Innovation: problem in practice? Now that we have established that the innovation factor is logical on a theoretical basis, let’s look at it in practice. The innovation’s foundation is, theoretically, based on the following: Interpretation of innovation The first issue with the innovation requirement is the Home Office’s wording in its definition of it. By the usage of “new” or “existing” (with emphasis on “or”), it is feasible to argue that innovation can apply to businesses that target an existing market, hence the emphasis on the creation of competitive advantage. However, this raises a further issue. What is interpreted as “competitive advantage” in the case of an “existing” market? The issue with this policy is a generalistic use of the term “competitive advantage” without outlining what it entails in detail. And the world of entrepreneurship is full of important details. Ultimately, we notice that this is interpreted by each endorsing body through its assessment protocols. For instance, I have come to notice that one of these endorsing bodies referred to intellectual property (IP) protection as a determining factor (names not disclosed for anonymity) However, again, this means that there is a lack of consensus, thorough definition and clear measurement metrics as to how “competitive advantage” over an “existing” market vs. a “new market” is defined. The importance of policy wording You may assume that I am reading too far into these terms. However, any legitimate policymaker must understand the considerable implications of how policies are worded. In the case of the Innovator Founder visa, we are talking about 1000s of applicants. I am not a policymaker nor a legal professional, despite holding a master’s degree in international law. In case you are interested, you may see my resume for more information. However, allow me to tell you this based on my law postgraduate thesis that the wording of international legislation such as the United Nations Security Council, and specifically Article 51 of the UN Charter, governs how international warfares are determined as legal or in violation of international law. The mere usage of the conjunction of “or” in this article has been crucial in the assessment of several international and domestic conflicts. Thus, with the above as an example, a sound policy evaluation must outline the potential practical flaws of policies, as is the aim of this article. The first issue is the Home Office’s lack of clarity in its definition of innovation, especially concerning new versus existing markets which are inherently different from each other. Many ideas face current market players The nature of business in our modern world reflects growing technological advancements. The Internet alone, and the online nature of commerce, have radically shifted the nature of enterprise solutions. With the aforementioned, there is the consequence of increased competition in virtually any field. The latter alone also reflects the lesser barriers to entry to the market, for instance, due to the Internet. This is also reflected in the case of businesses that apply for the Innovator Founder visa. It is a reality that most ideas will have to fall under the “existing market” definition. Innovation = IP? The preceding points raise the question of whether intellectual property protection is the ultimate defining factor. And as a business professional, I am bound to agree that this would be the most reasonable view. At least that is my interpretation of it. Additionally, an Innovator Founder visa endorsing body has made particular reference to intellectual property protection. Therefore, we may reasonably assume the priority importance of this factor. This again, reflects the lack of any clarity from the Home Office on interpreting competitive advantage. Nevertheless, we will adopt the view that IP protection would be a key factor in assessing innovation. And by IP protection, we are mainly referring to patents, as many can simply file for a trade mark. However, patents can take years to be granted, especially if there is a dispute. In this case, we are assuming that the applicant does have sufficient personal network and resources to embark on such a life. By this, we can see that such immigration restrictions deter and discourage high-net-worth individuals who are facing major challenges with their ventures. They would certainly not want to…
3 UK legislations that business owners should be aware of
There are various UK legislations that business owners must comply with. The UK can be a fantastic place to start a business. However, it is imperative that you are aware of your legal obligations under applicable legislations as a business owner. I have navigated the path of business ownership in one of its worst versions. I was an immigrant subjected to strict business visa terms, 22 years of age and a solo tech founder. So, I know how difficult the whole entrepreneurship can be for each individual. And in this journey, it’s easy to miss some important things. So, in this article, I will highlight three UK legislations that every business owner must be aware of. Data Protection & GDPR (Almost) every business retains and handles personal data. This may seem like one of those “complex corporate” things, it’s crucial to understand. This is a legal area which is subject to misunderstanding, primarily in individual and small business owners. The issue with this part is that many business owners are unaware of. Let me clarify this part with a small case study/example. If you use a website, whether through CMS platforms such as WordPress or Wix, or even code it from scratch, you are collecting user data. In the UK, the key legislations that business owners must be aware of are: Data Protection Act 2018 General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) Also, ensure that you follow the ICO’s guidelines for your obligations under GDPR. Equality Act 2010 The Equality Act 2010 governs the implementation of non-discrimination and equality in the UK. This UK legislation is applicable to individuals in various contexts, including work. As a business owner, it is important to firstly be aware of your own rights as an individual. It also governs your stakeholder management and how you conduct matters with each, such as customers and staff. Intellectual Property (IP) Intellectual property will primarily concern trade marks and patents. While each of the aforementioned may be applicable to a business, the majority of businesses are concerned with trade marks. Trade marks are applicable to every business as every business requires an identity, where name is the core element. Thus, it is key to understand your branding rights and limitations. This will be attained via sufficient understanding of how trade marks work in the UK. The relevant UK legislations on trade marks for business owners is the Trade Marks Act 1994. Additionally, business owners may access resources provided by the Intellectual Property Office. Patents, on the other hand, are concerned with respect to rights over an “invention” in the form of products and/or processes. In the UK, the legislation concerning business owners is the Patents Act 1977. Are you a business owner and need consultancy on your operations? Book an initial consultation with me for a thorough evaluation……… 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. As a solo founder, I grew my business to 30+ UK cities, with a global client base across 100+ countries. Following the Pandemic killing my precious work/business, I now transfer my knowledge to other entrepreneurs.
How to come up with an Innovator Founder visa business idea
One of the questions that I keep getting from inquiries is “How do I come up with an Innovator Founder visa business idea?”Therefore, writing an article on this subject may be useful for many of you who are interested in this path. Disclaimer: none of the content in this article, or website, constitute immigration advice in any shape or form. For professional immigration advice, please refer to a regulated immigration advisor or solicitor. First and foremost, it is important to note that the current immigration rules on the Innovator Founder visa require the applicant to have come up with the business idea themselves. This is reflected in page 4 of the case worker guide for the Innovator Founder visa by the Home Office. Therefore, it is important to note neither I nor any other compliant individual and/or entity shall provide you with a business idea. Any party that does so will be violating the immigration rules. Thus, be wary of any person or company that offers a “business idea for sale”. However, if you do have a business idea, I am certainly able to help you with identifying the strengths and weaknesses of that idea. As the UK’s number one business consultant for corporate immigration, I possess the knowledge and experience that will enable me to swiftly identify the key flaws of your business proposal. In this article, I will provide brief guidance via several starting points that will help you come up with a business idea. Therefore, this is a short “manual” and “how to guide” for coming up with any (practical) business idea, irrespective of the objective. Start with a problem (statement) The majority (not all) of successful business ideas are based on problem-solving. Some may not necessarily solve a problem but rather improve how a problem is solved. Hence, your starting point can be the creation of a problem statement sheet. Get your pen and paper out (or open a Word document) and start brainstorming. Think of the following: Research the market Once you have identified an (unsolved) problem, your next step is to engage in market research. In the case of an Innovator Founder visa business idea, this will be the UK market. This will most likely be a time-consuming process, and you must do it correctly. Your market research should ideally consist of both primary and secondary research. Check out this guide by Hubspot, which I have found to be very comprehensive for this part. Identify your strengths and weaknesses as an individual Once you have identified a problem, and the solution based on market research and validation, you should then analyse your individual skills profile. Consider the following: These 3 steps should help you get started on developing an Innovator Founder visa business idea Once you do develop your business idea, I would then advise you to obtain my feedback on your business idea. I will evaluate your Innovator Founder visa business idea within a reasonable timeframe and at a reasonable cost. Remember, business ideas require “business expertise”. Therefore, it is important to seek the right guidance (which is where I will be able to help). Already have a business idea? Book an initial consultation with me for a thorough evaluation. 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. Subsequently, I obtained a further 3-year Tier 1 Entrepreneur Visa (replaced by the Innovator Founder 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.
Business Immigration | Working With Me
Just over a year ago, I began helping founders with the commercial aspects of business immigration. It simply began as a side hustle and has now turned into my main business. The philosophy behind a business immigration consultancy was simple: I went through this journey myself. As is the case with many businesses, at some point there is the need to adapt to expansion accordingly. My consultancy business was initially focused on business plan writing and consultations as a secondary service. However, with growing demand and client base, my consultancy now covers every stage of the business planning process, from the idea stage to producing a viable business plan. Additionally, I now also offer services in relation to SEO, digital marketing and PR. In this article, I will briefly outline the various stages of my business immigration assistance, and what clients may expect. Stage 1: Initial Consultation | The first stage of my business immigration assistance is an initial consultation, which can be booked here. The purpose of this consultation is: Once we determine the aforestated, you can then decide which one of my business immigration services would be the most suitable for you. Stage 2: Service Discussion | Ongoing Calls Once you purchase any additional business immigration services, we will arrange a second call to explore how we can begin working together and set up a timeframe. Currently, my business immigration services cover the following areas: Stage 3: Delivery Once we set the timeframes and your project needs in stages 1 and 2, the final stage will be the project delivery. The timeframe for this stage is subjective and depends on the services purchased. For instance, a business plan will take longer than a review of your business idea. Need business immigration services? Then please get in touch with me today to find out how I can help you with your business immigration needs. 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 grew my business to over 30 UK cities, and a team of four. I now help other migrant entrepreneurs and all founders with their businesses, including their business plans.
5 elements of a good business plan
Writing a good business plan can be a challenging task. In essence, business planning is the first major challenge an entrepreneur faces as it is a blueprint of their venture. In this article, I will outline 5 elements that make a good business plan. This is based on my own experience as a tech founder, consultant and writer. Writing a good business plan goes beyond proposing a viable business proposition. It entails clear articulation, milestones, well-written content and a thorough blueprint of how your business will succeed. There are plenty of articles that will refer to the basic and compulsory parts of a business plan such as SWOT analysis and regard them as factors contributing to a good business plan. However, my aim in this article is to provide you with the correct mindset and approach to: With the aforementioned in mind, let’s highlight the 5 key elements of a good business plan. Inclusion of the key standard sections Okay, so let’s briefly highlight an obvious part, which many entrepreneurs surprisingly fall short of. Regardless of the purpose of your business plan and where you are, several key sections must be included in every business plan. These key sections are: Clear & realistic business vision Entrepreneurship and starting a business require vision. And it is fantastic to set high goals. Nevertheless, this is where many entrepreneurs make a mistake. And the mistake is that they “fly too high” and set goals and visions that are essentially unrealistic. Your vision and anticipated goals should be realistic and based on market trends supported by research. Clear business milestones The ideal business plan is not a fancy document to impress your investors or other parties. It is the blueprint of your business as a commercial entity. And what does a blueprint entail? Clear procedural steps with timelines and outcomes. Moreover, this is not just related to one part of the business plan, for example, product development. Each aspect of the business (plan) should be subjected to prior anticipation with clear input/output estimations, whether it is product, marketing, sales or anything else. Objective market research and avoiding the “founder bias” As stated earlier, I will not highlight standard business plan sections. However, this part is crucial and you notice that I have used the word “objective”. You may have a business proposal that does respond to a genuine market need. However, this is where what I call the “founder bias” kicks in. The “founder bias” is when a founder only states market research that supports the notion that there is a need for their product and/or service. This eliminates the “objectivity” aspect. Your plan must be supported by objective market research, and this is why a business consultant like me is useful. By highlighting all the facets of the market, you demonstrate enhanced commercial awareness. Plus, it enables you to anticipate and prepare for unexpected market shifts and how to respond accordingly. Money, money, money (the financials) Regardless of the type of project, the primary goal of a venture is making money. Even if you are starting a non-profit/charity, your finances matter the most. This is one of the most neglected aspects of many business plans. You must anticipate and account for cash inflows and outflows of your business. And I get it: this is perhaps among the most difficult aspects, and hence why it is often neglected. However, without a financial analysis that is subject to scrutiny, you are almost always doomed for failure. 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 grew my business to over 30 UK cities, and a team of four. I now help other migrant entrepreneurs and all founders with their businesses, including their business plans.
Innovator Founder Visa | Policy Analysis
Just over a month ago, I created a YouTube video exploring the policy flaws of the UK’s Innovator Founder visa. This article is essentially a reflection of the same video, highlighting three fundamental policy flaws surrounding the Innovator Founder visa requirements. *Please note that this content is merely a reflection of my personal opinion and evaluation and does not constitute immigration advice in any shape or form. If you are seeking immigration advice, please refer to OISC to find a registered immigration advisor/solicitor.* According to the UK Government’s website, the Innovator Founder visa allows international entrepreneurs to set up businesses in the UK. Full details of the visa rules can be found HERE. The purpose of this article, however, is not to outline the general information about this visa. I have written this blog post to: –Highlight the flaws that other founders may resonate with; –To draw the attention of policymakers towards the anticipated flaws of the Innovator Founder visa and how it may potentially harm the UK in the short and long term So, let’s explore the flaws of the Innovator Founder visa policy. The low number of Innovator Founder visa endorsing bodies This is perhaps the major weakness of the Innovator Founder visa policy. This is especially the case when one takes a comparative evaluation between this visa path and its predecessor, the Innovator visa. There are currently 3 endorsing bodies overseeing all applications made under the Innovator Founder visa pathway. This excludes the Global Entrepreneurs Programme (GEP) which is administered by the Department for Business and Trade. The aforementioned is in contrast to over 20 endorsing bodies that had the authority to issue endorsements for the former Innovator visa. Moreover, the previous endorsing bodies included well-established and reputable accelerators such as Founders Factory. To summarise the key issues in relation to the number of endorsing bodies: High endorsement & visa fees Another major issue which may discourage many prospective applicants is the high visa fees associated with this visa pathway. Let’s look at the initial costs associated with the Innovator Founder visa (and these are for single applicants only): As you see, you are paying a minimum of ÂŁ3000 to simply make an application under this visa pathway. By setting such high fees, the UK Government has failed to consider the long-term economic contribution of international entrepreneurs to the UK. Not applicable to all The Innovator Founder visa is likely to not be applicable to every single founder. And the manner in which this is evident is through the three key business idea requirements, which are: Whilst on the surface, the abovestated factors may seem appropriate, they are not practical in action. For instance, the viability requirement may only be evident once a business actually begins trading. Yet, this visa is also aimed at entrepreneurs who wish to “set up” their business in the UK. Another instance where the lack of applicability of this visa path is reflected is the removal of the former Startup and Tier 1 Graduate Entrepreneur visas. These visa routes were specifically aimed at founders who were to set up their business in the UK. Personally, I underwent the Tier 1 Graduate Entrepreneur route myself under the endorsement of Newcastle University. Currently, the Innovator Founder visa is a mashup of all founders, from all backgrounds and regardless of their business nature/stage. Final notes Entrepreneurship is fundamentally unpredictable and involves a core element of risk. Combining this with stringent and unfeasible immigration requirements does not provide an optimal outcome for any stakeholder. Moreover, it will only serve to weaken the UK’s global position as an entrepreneurial hub. I appreciate that policymakers ought to ensure that genuine and innovative migrants move to the UK. Nevertheless, policies should be drafted in such a manner that involves a thorough comprehension of entrepreneurship and also mitigates the risk between the government and international entrepreneurs. Need help with the Innovator Founder visa? I am the UK’s #1 & leading business consultant for international entrepreneurs. Whilst I do not provide immigration advice, I am able to assist in multiple areas such as drafting your Innovator Founder visa business plan. For a full overview of my services, please refer to my homepage here. 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.
5 lessons that you learn when you immigrate to another country
Deciding to immigrate to another country is life-changing. It will affect virtually every aspect of your life. I immigrated to the UK from Iran when I was only 17 years old, all alone. Today, over a decade later, I want to share 5 lessons that immigration taught me. If you are considering immigrating to another country, chances are that you want to make a change in your life. That’s awesome; I have so much respect for anybody who takes active steps to improve their lives. However, if this is your first time immigrating, which is the case with most people, you are probably unaware of the implications that this may have for your life. As such, I wish to share 5 key lessons that I learned after I immigrated to the UK during my formative years. 1. Most people don’t care about you This begins to hit you as you find yourself alone in your new “home”. I don’t mean that you will necessarily be lonely, I certainly wasn’t. For the most part, my years as an immigrant were the most social years of my life. I made so many friends and I actually cannot count the number of people that I met. However, this does not mean that you can rely on others. You really are on your own, and your problems are unique to you. Let me give you an example: many of my friends, and my close circle of friends in university were British. Despite our close friendship, they simply could not resonate with me or my “immigrant” problems such as worrying about staying in the UK after graduation. This is a tough lesson, initially. Nevertheless, it is also a chance to build that “immigrant resilience” and self-sufficiency that helps you achieve greater things later in life. 2. And the above includes family members Now, I do not wish to generalize here, as everyone’s family members are different. And by this, I am not necessarily referring to immediate family members such as parents. However, when you do immigrate, you will face barriers and problems in your life. And guess what? Tough times show you who really cares, and who does not. Do not be surprised if you notice that you have lost contact with family members whom you regarded as life companions. It is a sad reality in the world that failure and hard times are also very lonely. 3. You may lose your identity after you immigrate Once you settle in after you immigrate, and integrate, you may lose touch with who you really are. You may begin to question your identity, your core values, your culture and so on. This is not necessarily a bad thing. Having this “comparative” outlook broadens your mental horizon. However, it can be a difficult issue to face. Moreover, I firmly believe that our “values” strongly affect how far we get in life. Questioning your values will help you understand what your life purpose really is, and isn’t. 4. Do not expect a red carpet to be laid down for you Let me be absolutely clear here, and I am sorry to be the bearer of bad news: immigrating, in many scenarios, means that you are socially subordinate. The logic is essentially that “you have immigrated to this country because it is somehow better than yours”. Thus, be ready for many people to misunderstand your culture and where you come from. 5. The only way to survive is becoming stronger and wiser As I said, you are on your own. This is a fact of life, and it is reinstated even more once you become an “immigrant”. You will face injustice, discrimination, and unfairness. Yes, it sucks. But that’s a reality. My advice to you: do not fall into the victimhood mentality. Improve your physical and intellectual capabilities every single day. When I came to the UK as a college student, I was a skinny teenager who could barely write a formal email. Today, I’m an athlete, and a leading business consultant and hold a master’s degree in law. These are the lessons that I learnt after I immigrated to the UK. I hope these help you prepare for your journey and give you a realistic outlook of what to expect. 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.
5 disadvantages of moving to the UK as an international entrepreneur or skilled migrant
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. 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.