Innovator Founder Visa UK
The Innovator Founder visa (previously the Innovator visa) is reserved for businesspersons with existing market experience and a scalable business idea in the UK, leading to job creation. Applicants need prove to endorsing bodies they have enough money to invest in their business or already have the money invested.
If you would like further advice or assistance with applying for a UK innovator founder visa application, contact Total Law. Speak to one of our specialist immigration lawyers today. Call +44 (0) 333 305 9375 or use the online contact form to get in touch.
Page Contents
- What is Innovator Founder Visa?
- Requirements for Innovator Founder Visa
- Documents Required for Innovator Founder Visa
- Endorsement requirements for a UK Innovator Visa
- How to Apply for Innovator Founder Visa UK
- Restrictions of the UK Innovator Visa
- Application cost for UK Innovator Visa
- Processing Time
- How to Renew the Innovator Founder Visa
- Settle in the UK
- Family members with an Innovator Founder visa
- Switch to Innovator Founder visa in the UK
- Frequently Asked Questions
What is Innovator Founder Visa in UK?
The Innovator Founder Visa is for businesspersons with experience, looking to start an innovative business in the UK.
Innovator Founder visa applicants are expected to present a new business idea that, typically, would not be an already existing/operational business so they must have great market awareness.
Where it does, the new business should not have gone into full-blown trading mode yet, since the application would still be in the works.
Applicants can submit applications as sole founders of the business or as part of an innovator team. Joint venture arrangements are accommodated too.
The business idea presented can be related to any industry, provided it shows sufficient innovation, scalability, and viability. At the same time, the applicants are allowed to develop other businesses as well as the main idea presented for the visa.
Should the applicant wish to join an already trading business, they would be better off applying for a Skilled Worker visa. If an applicant wants to invest in an already existing business venture, a good option would be to apply via the Tier 1 Investor visa route. Senior employees of an overseas business looking to establish a presence in the UK would benefit from a Sole Representative of an Overseas Business visa.
The process can easily get complicated, given all you have to prove and provide to get accepted.
UK Innovator Founder Visa Requirements: Who is eligible?
To apply for an Innovator Founder Visa, you will be required to fulfil these requirements:
- Be at least 18 years old
- You must demonstrate that you have sufficient funds available to invest in your business and to support yourself, as there is no longer a fixed £50,000 minimum investment requirement.
- Get an endorsement from an approved UK endorsing body that has assessed the idea and found it to meet the requirements (viable, scalable, and innovative).
- The endorsing body must be satisfied that you will commit a significant portion of your time in the UK to actively develop your business and add value
- If you are applying to extend your visa for the same business venture initially endorsed, your endorsing body must be satisfied that you have made significant progress in line with the milestones outlined in your original business plan.
- Innovative Business Idea: Have an innovative, viable, and scalable business idea endorsed by an approved endorsing body, and demonstrate that you will take an active role in developing and managing your business in the UK.
- Endorsement Letter: Your endorsement letter must have been issued within three months before the date of your Innovator visa application.
- Genuine Intention: You must genuinely intend to establish or run your endorsed business in the UK and have the capability to implement your business plan.
- English Language: You must prove your knowledge of English at a competent level (at least CEFR Level B2, equivalent to IELTS 5.5 in reading, speaking, writing, and listening).
- Maintenance Funds: If you are applying from outside the UK or have been in the UK for less than 12 months, you must show that you have had at least £1,270 in your bank account (plus an additional £285 for a dependent partner, £315 for your first child, and £200 for each subsequent child) for at least 90 consecutive days before your application.
Specific requirements may vary; therefore, it is essential to consult the official UK government website or seek advice from a qualified legal advisor to understand the criteria applicable to your situation.
Documents Required for Innovator Founder Visa Application
All Innovator Founder visa applications must be submitted online. If you are applying from outside the UK, follow the online process; if you are switching or extending your visa from within the UK, please refer to the appropriate guidance.
Here are the documents the applicant is required to have for Innovator Founder Visa application process:
- A valid passport or official document confirming the identity and nationality of the applicant.
- Bank statements showing that you have held at least £1,270 (plus additional funds if you have dependents) in your bank account for a continuous period of 28 days prior to your application, as evidence of maintenance funds.
- Documents proving the applicant speaks and understands English up to the required standard.
- An endorsement letter from an approved endorsing body confirming that your innovative, viable, and scalable business idea meets the necessary criteria. (Note: There is no fixed minimum investment funds requirement under this route.)
- An endorsement letter from an approved endorsing body confirming that your innovative, viable, and scalable business idea meets the necessary criteria.
- Tuberculosis test results. Check to see if you come from a country whose citizens are required to be tested before they can go to the UK.
If any of the documents the process asks for are not written in Welsh or English, the applicant has to deliver certified translations of each.
Comparison with Other Business Visa Routes
If eligible, the Innovator Founder Visa is the best option to do business in the UK. There are other available routes to come for business including:
Self-sponsorship
Self-sponsorship may be an available route to come to the UK and set up a business. You must apply for Home Office approval by getting a Sponsor Licence for your business which involves various compliance and HR system requirements. It costs £574 for small businesses and charitable organisations. Large businesses must pay £574 for temporary worker licences or £1,579 for permanent worker licences. To be eligible for self-sponsorship you must meet the criteria for a UK work visa such as the Skilled Worker Visa. You will also have to issue and pay for a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) which is £525 for workers and £55 for temporary workers. Visa routes including the Skilled Worker Visa and the Senior or Specialist Worker visa also require an Immigration Surcharge which costs £364 per year for small businesses, or £1000 per year for large businesses.
Global Talent Visa
The Global Talent Visa is another available route that is not specifically designed for business purposes but typically allows fewer restrictions in the UK. You can work, study or do business in the UK. No job offer is required. You must prove you have ‘exceptional ability’ in your field. You must be endorsed by an approved endorsing body in the UK. The endorsing body will decide if you are exceptional based on recommendation letters from people who know you, have worked with you and can testify to your ‘exceptional’ ability.
Endorsement Requirements for UK Innovator Visa
There are four available endorsing bodies you must gain endorsement from, including:
- Envestors Limited
- UK Endorsing Services
- Innovator International
- The Global Entrepreneurs Programme (GEP)
To meet the requirements, you must show and continue to show endorsing bodies the following:
- Business plan
- Funds to set up your business
- You must meet with the endorsing body at least twice during your visa permissions. It costs £500 for each contact point meeting
- Businesses must be able to prove their business is innovative, viable and scalable
To prove business innovation, viability and scalability, applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Scalability– the plan must show evidence of a clear structure and potential to create jobs, in addition to the potential for national and international markets growth.
- Viability- the applicant needs to show that they have the skills, experience, knowledge, and market know-how to successfully raise and sustain the venture.
- Innovation- the idea needs to be genuine, original, and able to meet new or existing market demands and/or get a leg up over the competition.
The endorsing body will also need assurance that the applicant will spend their time in the UK developing business ventures.
Those who wish to continue the same business venture when applying for an extension will need an endorsement too, showing that they have been doing what the visa mandates.
How to apply for Innovator Founder Visa UK?
Step by Step Innovator Founder Visa Application Process.
Preparing your application
Preparing your application involves careful planning with several steps to meet the eligibility requirements. You must:
- Assemble a business plan that is considered innovative, viable and scalable
- Provide bank statements proving at least £1,270 in personal savings
- Receive an endorsement letter from an approved body. You will need to apply for endorsement separately. Endorsing bodies include:
- Business incubators
- Accelerators
- Government agencies
- Business development organisations
Submitting your application
You can submit the application form with all supporting documents through the Home Office website. You must pay the application fee.
Verifying your identity
You must acquire a biometric residence permit by submitting fingerprints and photos at a visa application centre.
What are the restrictions of the UK Innovator Visa?
While there are multiple benefits to the Innovator Founder Visa, there are also restrictions that include:
No Employment Outside the Business: You are only permitted to work within the business you founded on your application.
Showing Growth & Viability: You must continue to prove your business viability throughout the duration of your visa. Your endorsing body will conduct periodic reviews where you must show active involvement in the business, as well as progress and growth.
Not Enough Business Funds: While the £50,000 investment requirement was removed in 2023, sufficient funds are still required and must help underscore the business’s viability.
Regular Reviews by Endorsing Body: The endorsing body will conduct periodic reviews to ensure the business is meeting its goals and the visa holder is actively involved. Failing to pass these reviews could lead to loss of endorsement and possible visa revocation.
No Access to Public Funds: Visa holders cannot claim most state benefits, as they must be financially self-sufficient without relying on public resources.
Limited Path to Settlement: While the Innovator Founder Visa can lead to indefinite leave to remain (ILR) after three years, achieving this requires meeting strict criteria. The business must continue to show genuine growth, and the founder must demonstrate they are significantly contributing to the business and are integral to its operations.
Innovator Founder Visa Fees
| Apply Outside the UK | Apply or switch in the UK | |
| Innovator Founder Visa | £1,274 | £1,590 |
| Fee for Dependants (Same as main applicant) | £1,274 | £1,590 |
| Immigration Healthcare Surcharge (IHS) | £1,035 for adults, £776 for child dependents | |
| Endorsement application fee | £1,000 + VAT | |
| Contact meetings with Endorsing Body | £500 per meeting |
Innovator Founder Visa Processing Times
Typically, an Innovator Founder Visa takes 3 weeks to apply for outside the UK, and 8 weeks to apply inside the UK.
An endorsement also takes around 3-8 weeks to process, therefore it could take 2-4 months for your application to be fully finalised and a decision made.
You may apply for priority processing to ensure a faster decision on your application. The following options are available:
- Priority processing takes around 5 working days and costs £500
- Super priority processing takes around 2 working days and costs £1000
How do I renew my UK Innovator Visa?
The applicant can get an extension for Innovator Founder visa when the three years and four months elapse. To avoid any issues, it is recommended to apply before time runs out, to avoid having to be waiting for an answer after the time runs out, which would require you to apply from outside the UK.
In addition to that, the applicant has to live by UK rules. There are performance obligations that have to be met to get the endorsement needed to qualify an applicant for an extension.
Settle in the UK with Innovator Founder Visa
If you have stayed in the UK for 3 years on an Innovator Founder Visa, you may be eligible to apply for permanent settlement via Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR). You must be able to prove you are meeting your goals, growing your business and benefitting the UK. ILR allows you to stay indefinitely in the UK, with fewer restrictions, such as:
- You will not need a UK visa to work, study or do business in the UK, and will not need a job offer
- You won’t need to pay the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) to access the NHS for free
- You can access public funds
- You can apply for British Citizenship after 12 months on ILR
Family members with an Innovator Founder visa
You may be able to bring certain family members with you to the UK on your Innovator Founder visa.
Eligible family members include the following:
- Husband, wife, civil partner or unmarried partner
- Children under 18, including those who currently have permission to be in the UK as your dependant
You must prove to the Home Office that your relationship with your family members is genuine. In the case of a partner, you must be in a genuine relationship that is either a marriage, a civil partnership, or a relationship where you have been living with each other for at least 2 years. If you do not live together, you must show proof that you have an ongoing commitment to each other.
In addition, any children must live with you (unless they’re living away from home in full-time education) and not be married or in a civil partnership.
Your family must also have additional funds to prove they can support themselves in the UK. These are £285 for a partner, £315 for the first child and £200 for each additional child.
Your family members must apply online for their visa. They will need your unique visa application number in order to apply.
Switch to Innovator Founder visa in the UK
You may be able to switch to the Innovator Founder visa if you’re already in the UK on a different visa.
To be eligible, you must meet all the basic eligibility criteria for the Innovator Founder visa as well as still have time left on your current visa. You must apply before your current permission expires.
You will be unable to switch to the Innovator Founder visa if you are currently in the UK with one of the following:
- A visit visa
- A short-term student visa
- A Parent of a Child Student visa
- A seasonal worker visa
- A domestic worker in a private household visa
- Immigration bail
- Permission to stay outside the immigration rules, such as on compassionate grounds
In addition, you can only switch from a Student visa if one of the following is true:
- You’ve completed the course you were sponsored to study
- You’re studying for a PhD full time, and have been for at least 24 months
You must apply to switch on the official gov.uk website.
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Related pages for your continued reading.
Frequently Asked Questions
After applying, submitting the required documents, and completing every requirement, the application timeline is:
- 8 weeks if you are inside the UK
- 3 weeks if you are outside the UK
Yes, successful applicants can use their visas to invest in other things. They are also acquired to own property legally.
Yes, but there are consequences for that. Since they would no longer be maintaining the idea that got them the visa, the Innovator visa holders lose their right to live in the UK under that specific visa.
However, the innovator is allowed to run the business for three years and then apply for permanent residence, sell what they need to, and stay under a different visa that is not tied to the innovation.
