Ruben(31)

I had founded a fintech startup in Amsterdam that simplifies payments for freelancers. After two years we had 50,000 users, a seed round of €800,000 and growth ambitions. London was the logical next step — the world's largest fintech hub, with more investment capital than all of Europe combined.

The Innovator Founder visa was the right route. This visa replaces the old Innovator visa and is intended for entrepreneurs with an innovative, scalable and viable business. You need endorsement from a body recognised by the Home Office. I chose the Founders Forum endorsement via the Startup Coalition. The process took eight weeks and consisted of an extensive pitch, a business plan and evidence of traction.

The costs are relatively modest for an entrepreneur visa: £1,036 for the visa plus the Immigration Health Surcharge. The Innovator Founder visa is valid for three years, and after three years you can already apply for ILR if you meet certain conditions — faster than with a Skilled Worker visa. You may only work for your own business, not be employed by another company.

Shoreditch is the beating heart of London's tech scene. I rent a desk in a co-working space near Old Street — the so-called Silicon Roundabout. The concentration of startups, VCs and talent is unprecedented. Within a month I had more relevant meetings than in a whole year in Amsterdam. The British investor scene is bigger, faster and more aggressive than the Dutch one.

Setting up a Ltd at Companies House was done quickly, but opening the bank account was a nightmare. Traditional banks like Barclays and HSBC want endless documentation for foreign founders. I went to Tide for the business account and Revolut Business as backup. HMRC registration for Corporation Tax and VAT was done online. SEIS/EIS tax benefits for investors are a huge advantage of the UK — something the Netherlands doesn't have.

After a year my startup has a UK office with four employees, and we're working on our Series A. London is expensive — my studio in Shoreditch costs £1,800 per month — but the ecosystem is worth it. My tip for Dutch founders: the UK post-Brexit is bureaucratic for immigration, but incredibly entrepreneur-friendly once you're in. Start your endorsement application well in advance.