General Requirements
To qualify, you must:
- Be at least 18 years old.
- Have an endorsement letter from an approved endorsing body confirming your suitability and the legitimacy of your business plan.
- Be competent in English (CEFR Level B2).
- Have sufficient funds to support yourself and any dependents, if applying from outside the UK or if you've been in the UK for less than 12 months.
- Meet general grounds for refusal criteria.
- Provide a TB test certificate if required.
Endorsement Criteria
Endorsing bodies will assess:
- Your fitness to receive endorsement.
- The legitimacy of any investment funds.
- The innovative, viable, and scalable nature of your business plan.
- Your role in the business and your plans for regular contact point meetings
Investment Funds Requirement
There is no fixed amount of investment required. However, applicants must demonstrate access to sufficient funds to set up and grow their business.
Suitable Applicants
The visa is suitable for start-up entrepreneurs and experienced businesspersons with a new, innovative, viable, and scalable business idea. It's permissible to join a business after it has been registered, provided it hasn't started trading and the applicant has significantly contributed to the business plan.
Business Sectors
The business idea can relate to any sector, provided it meets the innovation, viability, and scalability criteria.
New Business Endorsement
Your business plan must be original and competitive. The endorsing body will evaluate the viability and scalability of your business, ensuring it has potential for growth and job creation.
Same Business Endorsement
For businesses previously endorsed under the Innovator, Innovator Founder, Start-up, or Tier 1 (Graduate Entrepreneur) routes, you can apply for further endorsement if:
- Your business is active, trading, and sustainable.
- You have made significant progress against your business plan.
- You continue to play an active role in the business.
English Language
Applicants must show English language ability at CEFR Level B2 (equivalent to IELTS 5.5).
Financial Requirement
Applicants need at least £1,270 in personal funds held for 28 days before the application date.
How much you pay for an application depends on where you apply from.
- It costs £1,191 per person if you apply outside the UK.
- It costs £1,486 per person if you apply to extend or switch your visa in the UK.
- An additional £1,000 endorsement fee (excluding VAT) is also required.
Healthcare surcharge
You'll also have to pay the healthcare surcharge as part of your application.
Check how much you'll have to pay before you apply.
Validity
The visa is initially valid for 3 years, with extensions possible in 3-year increments, subject to re-endorsement. Indefinite leave to remain can be applied for after 3 years.
Conditions
Visa holders must primarily work for their established business but may take secondary employment in a skilled role.
Contact Point Meetings
You must have at least two contact point meetings with your endorsing body at regular intervals to review progress against your business plan.
To qualify for indefinite leave to remain as an Innovator Founder, you must satisfy UK Visas & Immigration that:
- You have been endorsed by an approved UK endorsing body, confirming significant achievements judged against the business plan from your previous endorsement. Additionally, you must be registered with Companies House as a Director or Member of your business, ensure your business is active, trading, and appears sustainable for at least the next 12 months, and have had 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 furthering your business.
- The business has created the equivalent of at least 5 full-time jobs for settled workers, with an average salary of at least £25,000 a year.
- The business has created the equivalent of at least 10 full-time jobs for resident workers with no average salary requirement.
- The number of customers has at least doubled in the most recent 3 years and is currently higher than the mean number of customers for comparable UK businesses.
- The business has engaged in significant research and development activity 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 covered by its accounts.
- The business has generated a minimum annual gross revenue of £500,000 in the last full year covered by its accounts, with at least £100,000 from exporting overseas.
- You have spent no more than 180 days outside the UK in any rolling 12-month period during the 3 years prior to the date of application.
- You have sufficient knowledge of the English language and Life in the UK.
Summary
The Innovator Founder Visa offers a pathway for entrepreneurs to establish innovative businesses in the UK. It requires endorsement from a recognized body and a viable business plan but does not mandate a specific investment amount. The visa provides opportunities for growth, family inclusion, and eventual settlement in the UK.
Application Stages
Stage 1: Enquiry Form
Complete the Innovator Founder Visa enquiry form for an initial assessment.
Stage 2: Eligibility Assessment
A consultation meeting to check eligibility against Immigration Rules.
Stage 3: Concept Assessment
Initial consultation to evaluate the innovativeness, viability, and scalability of your business idea.
Stage 4: Introduction to Endorsing Bodies
Formal introduction to one or more Home Office-approved endorsing bodies.
Stage 5: Concept and Business Plan Approval
Pitch your business concept and plan to the endorsing body for approval.
Stage 6: Full KYC and Due Diligence
The endorsing body conducts a thorough background check and verifies the source of your funds.
Stage 7: Visa Application
Preparation and submission of your Innovator Founder Visa application to the Home Office.
Stage 8: Approval and Mentoring
Upon visa approval, start developing your business in the UK with ongoing support until you achieve indefinite leave to remain.
