UK Innovator Founder Visa

UK Innovator Founder Visa Overview

The UK Innovator Founder Visa is intended for start-up entrepreneurs and experienced businesspersons who wish to establish a business in the United Kingdom. Applicants are not required to demonstrate a specific level of investment funds; however, they must present a business concept that is innovative, viable, and scalable, supported by a comprehensive business plan, and endorsed by an approved endorsing body.

The Innovator Founder Visa is valid for three years and can lead directly to indefinite leave to remain (settlement) in the United Kingdom at the end of the three-year period. Applicants may bring their partner and any children under the age of 18 to the UK.

Requirements for the UK Innovator Founder Visa

To qualify for a UK Innovator Founder Visa, you must satisfy UK Visas and Immigration that:

• You are at least 18 years old;
• You have obtained an endorsement letter from an approved UK endorsing body confirming that:
  • you are a fit and proper person to receive endorsement under the Innovator Founder route;
  • the endorsing body has no concerns regarding the source of any funds invested into your business;
  • the endorsing body has no reason to believe that you or your business may be the beneficiary of illicit or unexplained wealth;
  • you possess a business plan and have either generated or significantly contributed to the ideas in that business plan;
  • you will have a day-to-day role in executing the business plan;
  • you will have at least two contact point meetings with the endorsing body at regular intervals;
  • you are either the sole founder or an instrumental member of the founding team;
  • your business is innovative, viable, and scalable;
• Your endorsement letter was issued no more than three months before the date of your Innovator visa application;
• You are competent in the English language to at least CEFR Level B2, equivalent to IELTS 5.5 in reading, writing, listening, and speaking;
• If you are outside the UK or have been in the UK for less than 12 months, you have at least £1,270 to support yourself, plus:
  • £285 for a dependent partner
  • £315 for the first child
  • £200 for each additional child
• Your application does not fall for refusal under the general grounds for refusal;
• You have provided a TB test certificate, if required.

Who Is the UK Innovator Founder Visa Suitable For?

The UK Innovator Founder Visa is suitable for both start-up entrepreneurs and experienced businesspersons seeking to establish a business in the UK that is innovative, viable, and scalable. In general, applicants will have a new business idea, and the business will not yet be trading. However, it is permissible for an individual to join a business after it has been registered with Companies House, provided that the business has not commenced trading.

Innovator Founders may operate as sole founders or as part of a founding team, provided that they are instrumental members of the team. The business idea may relate to any sector, provided it is sufficiently innovative, viable, and scalable and supported by a robust business plan.

Investment Funds Requirement

Innovator Founder Visa applicants are not required to show a specific investment amount. However, because the business must be viable and scalable, applicants must demonstrate access to sufficient funds to establish and grow the business.

Endorsement Criteria

New Business Endorsement Criteria

To obtain endorsement from a Home Office-approved endorsing body, the following criteria must be satisfied:

General Requirements

The endorsing body must confirm that:

• You are a fit and proper person to receive endorsement under the Innovator Founder route;
• The endorsing body has no concerns regarding the source of any funds invested into your business;
• The endorsing body has no reason to believe that you or your business may be the beneficiary of illicit or unexplained wealth.

Business Plan Requirement

To satisfy the business plan requirement, you must:

• Have a business plan and have either generated or significantly contributed to the ideas in that business plan;
• Demonstrate that you will have a day-to-day role in executing the business plan;
• Confirm that you will have at least two contact point meetings with the endorsing body at regular intervals;
• Be either the sole founder or an instrumental member of the founding team.

Innovation, Viability, and Scalability Requirement

To satisfy this requirement, your business must demonstrate:

• Innovation: A genuine, original business plan that meets new or existing market needs or creates a competitive advantage;
• Viability: A realistic and achievable business plan based on available resources, including the necessary skills, knowledge, experience, and market awareness to run the business successfully;
• Scalability: Evidence of structured planning and potential for job creation and growth into national and international markets.

Same Business Endorsement Criteria

If you are pursuing a business that was previously assessed by a Home Office-approved endorsing body under the Innovator, Innovator Founder, Start-up, or Tier 1 (Graduate Entrepreneur) routes, you may apply for further endorsement as an Innovator Founder. This may be appropriate if you are switching into the Innovator Founder route or applying for an extension.

List of Approved UK Innovator Founder Visa Endorsing Bodies

The following bodies are approved by the Home Office to issue endorsement letters under the Innovator Founder route:

• Envestors Limited
• UK Endorsement Services
• Innovator International
• The Global Entrepreneurs Programme (GEP) (GEP can only endorse applicants who have already been invited to participate in their programme)

English Language and Financial Requirements

English Language Requirement

Unless an exemption applies, Innovator Founder applicants must demonstrate English language proficiency at CEFR Level B2 across all four components (reading, writing, speaking, and listening).

Financial Requirement

Applicants applying for entry clearance as an Innovator Founder must show that they have at least £1,270 in personal funds held for a 28-day period prior to the application date.

Applying as Part of a Team

Applicants may apply as part of a founding team; however, each member must receive individual endorsement from an approved endorsing body and be an instrumental member of the team.

Switching Into the Innovator Founder Category

Applications may be made from outside the UK or by switching within the UK, provided the applicant is not applying from a visa category such as Visitor, Short-term Student, Parent of a Child Student, Seasonal Worker, Domestic Worker in a Private Household, or outside the Immigration Rules.

Application Details

Application Fee

The current Home Office application fee is:

• £1,191 if applying from outside the UK
• £1,486 if switching into the category within the UK

Applicants must also pay an endorsement fee of £1,000 (excluding VAT) to the relevant endorsing body.

Validity Period

The initial Innovator Founder Visa is valid for three years. It may be extended in further periods of three years, subject to re-endorsement each time. There is no maximum time limit within the Innovator Founder category.

Conditions of Stay

As an Innovator Founder Visa holder, you must abide by conditions of stay, including working on the business(es) you have established. You may undertake secondary employment provided it is in a skilled role (RQF Level 3 or higher).

Contact Point Meetings

You must attend at least two contact point meetings with your endorsing body at regular intervals during your permission period. These meetings serve as checkpoints to assess progress against your business plan. The endorsing body must be satisfied that you are actively working on your business venture and demonstrating reasonable progress. Failure to attend may result in visa cancellation.

Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) as an Innovator Founder

To qualify for ILR, you must satisfy UK Visas and Immigration that:

• You have been endorsed by an approved UK endorsing body, which confirms that you have demonstrated significant achievements against your business plan;
• Your business is registered with Companies House and you are a director or member;
• Your business is active, trading, and sustainable for at least the following 12 months;
• You have played an active key role in the day-to-day management and development of the business;
• You meet at least two of the following criteria:
  • At least £50,000 has been invested into the business and actively spent to further its growth;
  • The business has created at least 5 full-time jobs for settled workers with an average salary of £25,000 per year;
  • The business has created at least 10 full-time jobs for resident workers (with no average salary requirement);
  • The number of customers has at least doubled within the most recent three years and is currently higher than the mean number of customers for comparable UK businesses;
  • The business has engaged in significant research and development and has applied for intellectual property protection in the UK;
  • The business has generated a minimum annual gross revenue of £1 million in the last full year;
  • The business has generated a minimum annual gross revenue of £500,000 in the last full year, with at least £100,000 from overseas exports.
• You have spent no more than 180 days outside the UK in any rolling 12-month period during the three years prior to your application;
• You satisfy the English language and Life in the UK requirements.

Innovator Founder Visa Endorsement Application Service

Our Innovator Founder Visa endorsement application service is structured into five distinct stages:

Stage 1 – Innovator Founder Visa Enquiry Form

Free Initial Assessment
To receive a free initial assessment of your suitability for the Innovator Founder visa, you may complete our Innovator Founder Visa Enquiry Form. A barrister will review your responses, and we aim to respond within 24 hours.

Stage 2 – Initial Consultation and Strategic Planning

Personalised Case Consultation
You will receive expert guidance from a specialist immigration barrister to assess your eligibility for the Innovator Founder Visa and determine the most suitable endorsing body for your business proposal.

Business Plan Suitability Assessment
Your business idea and proposed business plan will be reviewed to ensure alignment with the innovation, viability, and scalability criteria required for endorsement.

Stage 3 – Innovator Founder Endorsement Application Preparation

Regulatory and Policy Guidance
You will receive in-depth advice on the relevant Immigration Rules, Home Office policies, and applicable case law.

Endorsing Body Requirements Review
Detailed insights into the specific assessment criteria and expectations of the relevant endorsing body will be provided to ensure full compliance.

Supporting Document Advice and Preparation
Guidance will be provided on the content, structure, and presentation of your business plan and supporting documents, including financial information, market research, and evidence of professional background.

Supporting Document Review
Each document will be thoroughly reviewed with tailored feedback to enhance the strength of your application.

Application Form Completion and Barrister's Opinion
All relevant forms will be accurately completed, and a legal opinion will be prepared by a specialist immigration barrister, demonstrating how your business proposal meets the innovation, viability, and scalability criteria.

Application Bundle Preparation
A complete, well-organised application bundle will be assembled to ensure clarity and professional presentation.

Final Compliance Check by Second Barrister
An independent review of your completed application will be conducted by a second immigration barrister.

Stage 4 – Innovator Founder Endorsement Application Submission

Application Submission Support
Assistance will be provided to ensure the application is submitted correctly and meets all technical requirements of the endorsing body.

Agent for Correspondence
We will act as your designated representative for all communications with the endorsing body, responding promptly to any queries or requests for additional information until a decision is reached.

Stage 5 – Post-Decision Support and Next Steps Guidance

Decision Analysis and Advice
Professional advice will be provided on the outcome of your endorsement application, including guidance on any further steps required.

Next Steps Consultation
Strategic advice will be provided on progressing to the visa application stage following a successful endorsement, or on options for re-submission or appeal if necessary.

Benefits of the Innovator Founder Visa

• Fast track to settlement: Qualify for ILR in just 3 years
• Bring dependants: Your partner and children under 18 can join you
• No specific investment amount: Flexible funding requirements
• Work on your own business: Focus on building your venture
• Scalability focus: Designed for growth-oriented businesses
• Access to endorsing body support: Guidance from experienced business mentors
• Secondary employment permitted: Can work in skilled roles alongside your business

How Our Immigration Barristers Can Help

We are recognised as one of the UK's leading immigration practices for Innovator Founders. Our work has been acknowledged through membership in the Investment Migration Council and the Department for International Trade's Investor Support Network.

Our team of immigration barristers has experience in assisting all types of innovative entrepreneurs and businesspersons. Whether you are a start-up entrepreneur or an established businessperson, our barristers are experts in the immigration options for innovators and will guide you through the complex Home Office rules and policies.

We are committed to being approachable and proactive in understanding and meeting our clients' needs, providing clear and reliable immigration advice in a professional and friendly manner.