1. T1GE Endorsement
Amelia Reeves Assistant Start-up Adviser

2. What is T1GE Endorsement?
START UP supports international students who:
have an outstanding, scalable business idea
want to put it in practice in the UK after graduation
by helping them get endorsement from Newcastle University, for a Tier 1 Graduate Entrepreneur visa.

3. What does T1GE Endorsement give me?
A letter from the University with a unique reference number (similar to a CAS letter), in support of your Tier 1 Graduate Entrepreneur visa application.
If your T1GE visa application is successful, you can get up to 2 years to stay in the UK after graduation to open your own business (1 initial + 1 extension).
An allocated Business Adviser to mentor you for the duration of your Tier 1 Graduate Entrepreneur visa.

4. How do I get T1GE Endorsement?
STEP 1: Visa Workshop
STEP 2: START UP Essentials Workshops
STEP 3: Application
Immigration Routes into Graduate Employment
Business Modelling
Market Research
Marketing
Finance
Online Endorsement Application Form
Next: 16th May
Next intake: October 2018
November 2018
Visa Team
Business Adviser
Verbal Endorsement
STEP 5: Interview
STEP 4: Pitch
T1GE Visa Application Workshop
12 Month Business Plan
Endorsement Interview
Pitching Panel
by December 2018 break
December 2018
December 2018
Endorsement Granted
T1GE Visa Application to Home Office
T1GE Visa Granted
Mentoring
Immigration Routes into Graduate Employment Workshops:
Endorsement Letter
Meetings with Business Adviser
NOTE:
Dates subject to programme renewal. Successful endorsement does not guarantee that a visa will be granted, as this decision is handled separately by the UK Home Office

5. T1GE Endorsement next steps
Registrations for START UP Essentials will reopen in early October 2018:
Don’t forget that to be eligible for Endorsement you MUST attend all steps 1 and 2 workshops BEFORE the Endorsement Interviews.
Check that you are close to graduation:
Graduating Winter 2018 – Start the process in Autumn 2018/19 (Oct-Dec 2018)
Graduating Summer 2019 – Start the process in Winter 2018/19 (Jan-Mar 2019)
NOTE: All dates are provisional and subject to programme renewal

6. T1GE Endorsement things to consider
You must be a legal resident in the UK throughout the Endorsement process and be able to obtain Verbal Endorsement before your current visa expires.
Your business idea cannot involve property development or property management, and must make good use of your skills and be innovative. It cannot be a routine business simply competing with other local traders.
You must own the majority share of the business.
Please note that if you are part of a team, each partner needing T1GE Endorsement must complete our application process on an individual basis.

7. Tier 4 Doctorate Extension Scheme
Students who are about to complete a PhD may be eligible to apply for an additional 12 month period of leave under the Doctorate Extension Scheme (DES).
DES is granted to allow time for recent PhD graduates to find skilled employment or develop a business in the UK. Successful applicants remain under Tier 4 sponsorship and are required to engage in 2 contact points per year.

8. How do I get a Tier 4 Doctorate Extension?
1. Attend the ‘Understanding the Doctorate Extension Scheme’ workshop to decide if you meet the eligibility criteria. Details can be found on the Careers webpages. Next one: 8th May, 12 – 1, KG 1.20
2. Complete our online DES CAS request form. You should aim to submit a DES CAS request form at least one week before your final soft bound submission. You cannot apply for DES until you are within 60 days of the submission of your hardbound thesis.
3. You must attend a Tier 4 visa workshop no more than 3 months before your intended date of application to find out about the application procedure.
Careers Webpages:
DES CAS request form:
Tier 4 Visa Workshop:

9. Tier 4 Doctorate Extension
To find out more about the Tier 4 Doctorate Extension scheme and your eligibility for this scheme go to:

10. Let’s get started! You can also find us:
Read more about the endorsement process and criteria.
Visit us at Level 1 King’s Gate:
Speak to an Information Adviser to find out more about how START UP can help you begin your journey.
Request an appointment with a Start-up Adviser to discuss your business idea.
Access the START UP Space – our open plan co-working area.
Come along to START UP Uncovered, START UP Ideas, START UP Bootcamp or START UP Connect
You can also find us:
Via social media:
NCLStartUp
@NCLStartUp
nclstartup
Online:
Via
Or on the phone:
Endorsement Process and Criteria: