Innovator Founder Visa UK
Filipino citizens who meet the criteria can apply for the UK Innovator Founder visa to start and run a business in the UK.
For more information about the Innovator Visa UK, including eligibility, documents required, associated costs and how to apply, speak with us on call at 0333 305 9375 or message us online.
What is Innovator Founder Visa?
The Innovator Founder visa permits Filipino citizens with fresh business ideas to move to the UK and start a business. If you are looking to apply for this visa, you must show that your business is offering a service or product unlike any other in the UK market. An endorsing body must also approve your business idea before you can proceed to apply for a visa. If you have an innovative business idea and secure the approval of the endorsing body, there is a high chance you’ll get a visa.
Filipino citizens can move to the UK with their families for 3 years. After which they can renew or settle permanently in the UK. You’ll need to meet certain eligibility requirements to apply for the Innovator Founder visa.
Page Contents
- What is Innovator Founder Visa?
- Eligibility Requirements for UK Innovator Founder Visa
- How to Apply for Innovator Founder Visa
- Processing Time and Cost for Innovator Founder Visa Application
- Endorsement Criteria for a UK Innovator Founder Visa
- Innovator Founder Visa Validity Period and Extension
- Indefinite Leave to Remain as an Innovator Founder
- How Total Law Can Help
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Eligibility Requirements for UK Innovator Founder Visa
Below are the Innovator Founder visa requirements:
Approval from an Endorsing Body
When applying for the UK Innovator visa, you must get approval from an endorsing body. They will issue you a letter confirming whether your business idea is eligible.
Language Skills
You’ll need to prove you have adequate knowledge of the English language up to B2 level on the CEFR scale. There are 3 main ways to prove that you are proficient in English. You can show you:
- Passed a Secure English Language Test administered by a Home Office-approved test provider.
- Have a degree entirely taught in English. If the study was in the Philippines, you must apply for Ecctis to assess your qualifications. This is to ensure your degree is on the same level as a UK degree.
- Graduated from a UK university.
Age
Filipino citizens have to be 18 before they can apply for this visa.
Means of Subsistence
You must prove to the Home Office that you have enough money to support yourself while living in the UK. You must show you have a minimum of £1,270 in your account.
How to Apply for Innovator Founder Visa
If you want to apply for the Innovator Founder visa, you’ll have to take the following steps:
Step 1: Confirm Eligibility
It is always essential to do a self-assessment to ensure you meet the visa criteria. Applying for any visa without this assessment may result in a visa denial. Filipino citizens who need help can speak with our Total Law caseworkers at 0333 305 9375 or send a message online.
Step 2: Get the Approval Letter
Your second step is to convince the endorsing body that your business is innovative and viable. You will get the endorsement letter if you sell your idea to them properly.
Step 3: Gather Other Supporting Documents
After getting the endorsement letter, you must gather other documents proving you are eligible for the visa. Ensure that your documents are current and clear enough for the UKVI officers to see.
Step 4: Pay Visa Fee
Your visa will not be processed if you don’t show evidence of paying the visa fee and other associated costs. The receipts will be part of the documents you’re submitting.
Step 5: Apply Online
Filipino citizens who wish to get the Innovator Founder visa must apply online. Ensure the information you are completing on the portal at the Home Office website is a match with the one on your documents. Discrepancies can increase processing time or even lead to visa denials.
Step 6: Biometric Appointment
Schedule a biometric appointment online with the VFS Global visa application center in Manila. Go with your passport on your appointment date. The officers there will collect your biometric information and passport details and transmit them to the UKVI. You will need to wait until you get a decision before making plans to travel to the UK.
Processing Time and Cost for Innovator Founder Visa Application
Processing Time
Filipino citizens applying for a visa outside the UK can expect a decision on their application in 3 weeks. If you are applying in the UK, you’ll get a decision in 8 weeks.
Innovator Founder Visa Fees
- £1,357if you’re applying from the Philippines.
- £1,693 if you’re applying within the UK.
- £1035 as a healthcare surcharge per year
If your visa was denied or not approved for up to 3 years, you can be refunded the healthcare surcharge.
Endorsement Criteria for a UK Innovator Founder Visa
While applying for this visa, you need to present the endorsement letter you got from an endorsing body. Before you can obtain this letter, you have to show that:
- Your business is new, with ideas and concepts not already available in the UK market. You cannot apply for an Innovator Founder visa if your goal is to join or expand an existing business.
- Your business is viable and can grow. Also note that if your visa is approved, you’ll meet with the endorsing body after the 12th and 24th months of starting the business. You are required to give them a progress report.
- Your business is scalable and can grow to provide jobs for UK and international employees.
- Your business has a genuine funding source that is enough to establish it in the UK. Note that there is no specified amount you must show in this regard.
Innovator Founder Visa Validity Period and Extension
The UK Innovator Founder visa is valid for 3 years. You can apply to extend the visa shortly before your visa expires. You can extend the visa as many times as you wish as long as you meet the eligibility requirements.
Indefinite Leave to Remain as an Innovator Founder
Filipino citizens can apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) via the Innovator Founder route. To get ILR, you’ll need to have spent at least 3 years on the Innovator Founder visa. You must also meet all residency, language and character requirements when applying for ILR.
How Total Law Can Help
At Total Law, we are committed to helping you meet your immigration goals. Our consultants are experts in UK immigration and business laws. They can assess your business idea to know if it is innovative, viable and scalable, and offer you advice on the application process. If you need a team to support you through the process, from start to finish, contact us today.
If you need to know how we can help you get your Innovator Founder visa, call 0333 305 9375 or send a message online.
Advice Package
Get clear, expert advice on your visa options, eligibility and application before you commit to applying.
Application Package
Let our immigration lawyers prepare, check and manage your application so you can apply with confidence.
Fast Track Package
Need to apply quickly? Get priority handling by our immigration lawyers from preparation to submission.
Appeal Package
Been refused or received an unfavourable decision? Get expert legal help to challenge it or determine your next step.
The Advice Package
During this Advice Session, an immigration lawyer will assess your circumstances, explain your options and tell you what you need to do to make a strong application.
We review your circumstances, explain the relevant requirements, identify potential problems or refusal risks, and advise you on the evidence and next steps.
The Application Package
With our Application Package, your dedicated immigration lawyer will assess your case, prepare your application, check your supporting documents and submit your forms on your behalf.
We check your application for missing information, inconsistencies and potential issues before submission, helping you avoid common mistakes that could affect your case.
The Fast Track Package
Our Fast-Track Application Package gives your case priority with our immigration lawyers, helping you get your application prepared, checked and submitted as quickly as possible.
Your case receives priority handling, including accelerated document reviews, application preparation, communication with your caseworker and submission support.
The Appeal Package
Our immigration lawyers will review the decision, explain why it was refused and advise on the strongest option available to you, including an appeal, review or fresh application where appropriate.
We will examine the reasons for refusal, identify weaknesses or errors, assess your available options and provide the legal support and representation your case requires.
