UK Innovator Founder Visa
Expert Guide to Starting Your UK Business Journey
The UK innovator founder visa enables international entrepreneurs to establish innovative businesses in the United Kingdom.
This visa guide outlines the key requirements and processes for obtaining this visa, which has replaced the previous Start-up and Innovator visa routes.
What is the Innovator Founder Visa?
The innovation founder visa permits entrepreneurs to start and run an innovative business in the UK. Understanding what is an innovator is essential – it’s an entrepreneur who creates or significantly contributes to an original business idea that demonstrates innovation, viability, and scalability in the UK market.
Key Features of the Innovative Founder Visa UK
- The visa is valid for an initial period of 3 years.
- You do not need a specific minimum investment amount but must demonstrate sufficient funds to establish and grow your business.
- You can apply for settlement after 3 years of continuous residence.
- Your spouse, partner, and children under 18 can join you in the UK.
- You may undertake additional employment in roles requiring RQF Level 3 or above.
Entrepreneur Visa UK Requirements
The innovator visa UK requirements include:
Essential Criteria:
- You must be at least 18 years old.
- You must prove English language ability at CEFR Level B2 in reading, writing, speaking, and listening.
- You must have at least £1,270 in personal funds held for 28 days.
- You must obtain endorsement from an approved endorsing body.
Business Requirements:
- Your business plan must show genuine innovation that creates a competitive advantage.
- Your business must be realistic and achievable with your available resources.
- Your business must demonstrate potential for job creation and growth into national and international markets.
Innovator Founder Visa Endorsing Bodies
The following organizations are authorized to provide endorsements for the innovative Visa UK:
Envestors Limited assesses and endorses business proposals for new ventures.
Innovator International evaluates business plans and provides endorsement services.
UK Endorsement Services reviews applications for innovative business concepts.
The Global Entrepreneurs Programme (GEP) endorses selected participants in their program.
How to Apply for an Innovation Founder Visa
Business Plan Development
⪼ Create a detailed business plan showing how your idea is innovative and meets market needs. ⪼ Include financial projections and growth strategies based on realistic market research. ⪼ Demonstrate your skills, knowledge, and experience to run the business successfully.
STEP 1
Secure Endorsement
Your endorsement application must prove: ⪼ You are a fit and proper person to receive endorsement. ⪼ Your funds come from legitimate sources. ⪼ You will actively manage the business day-to-day. ⪼ You will attend at least two contact point meetings during your visa period.
STEP 2
Visa Application
After receiving endorsement for your innovator visa UK, submit:
⪼Your valid passport and immigration history
⪼Endorsement letter issued within the last 3 months
⪼Evidence of English language ability
⪼Proof of maintenance funds
⪼Tuberculosis test results if required
STEP 3
Innovator Founder Visa Success Rate
Success factors for the innovator visa UK success rate include:
- Having a thoroughly researched and documented business plan
- Meeting all eligibility criteria precisely
- Providing clear evidence of innovation and scalability
- Maintaining regular contact with your endorsing body
360 Global Immigration
The Premier Migration Consultancy in Dubai For Your Immigration & Visa Success.
Innovator Visa UK Requirements for Settlement
After 3 years on the innovator founder visa., you can apply for settlement if you meet these criteria:
Years Experience
Understanding the Innovation Visa UK Process
Contact Point Meetings
- Attend two mandatory meetings with your endorsing body
- Each meeting costs £500
- Demonstrate progress against your business plan
- Show active involvement in business management
Financial Requirements
Unlike the investment visa UK 50000 or UK investor visa 50 000, the innovative visa focuses on business viability rather than a specific investment amount. You must show:
- Sufficient funds to establish your business
- £1,270 in personal maintenance funds
- Additional funds for any dependents
Innovator Founder Visa Business Plan
Key components your business plan must include:
Innovation Evidence
- Your business must demonstrate a clear competitive advantage through specific innovative features or approaches.
- Your proposal must identify and address specific gaps in the UK market with evidence-based solutions.
- Your innovative product or service must be detailed with technical specifications and unique selling points.
Financial Planning
- The owner a funds introduced section must detail all sources and amounts of initial and ongoing investment.
- Your revenue projections must be supported by concrete market research and realistic growth assumptions.
- Your cost structure and pricing strategy must reflect current market conditions and competitor analysis.
- Your working capital requirements must be calculated based on detailed operational needs.
Market Analysis
- Your target market must be defined with specific demographic and behavioral characteristics.
- Your competitor analysis must include direct and indirect competitors with detailed market positioning.
- Your market entry strategy must outline specific steps for establishing your business in the UK.
- Your growth opportunities must demonstrate potential for expansion both within the UK and internationally.
360 Global Immigration
The Premier Migration Consultancy in Dubai For Your Immigration & Visa Success.
Maintaining Your Innovators Visa UK
Business Operation Requirements:
- Your business must be properly registered with Companies House as a UK company.
- Your company must maintain active trading status with regular business activities.
- Your financial records must be accurately maintained and updated according to UK standards.
- Your business must submit all required tax returns and regulatory filings on time.
- Your operations must comply with all relevant UK business regulations and laws.
What is the Innovator Visa UK Extension Process?
To extend your visa:
- Obtain new endorsement from an approved body
- Show significant progress against original business plan
- Prove active involvement in business management
- Maintain sufficient funds
- Continue meeting English language requirements
Costs and Timeframes
Application Fees:
- Endorsement fee: £1,000
- Visa application outside UK: £1,191
- Visa application inside UK: £1,486
- Healthcare surcharge: £1,035 per year
Processing Times:
- Endorsement decision: 4-8 weeks
- Visa application: 8 weeks standard service
- Extension applications: 8 weeks
- Settlement applications: 6 months
Common Reasons for Innovation Founder Visa Refusal
UK Innovator Founder Visa Contact Point Meetings
Your obligations for meetings include:
- Your attendance is required at a minimum of two contact point meetings during your visa period.
- Your business progress must be demonstrated through specific achievements at each meeting.
- Your active involvement in the business must be evidenced through daily management records.
- Your company's financial performance must be presented with supporting documentation.
- Your future business plans must align with your original innovative proposal.
Financial Requirements for Innovator Visa
Unlike the investment visa UK 50000, your financial requirements focus on viability:
- Your business must demonstrate access to sufficient funds for establishment and growth.
- Your personal account must maintain £1,270 for maintenance requirements.
- Your dependent family members must have additional maintenance funds if applicable.
- Your business expenses must be clearly projected and documented.
- Your revenue forecasts must show realistic growth potential.
360 Global Immigration
The Premier Migration Consultancy in Dubai For Your Immigration & Visa Success.
Visa Type |
Duration |
Key Features |
Settlement Path |
Investment Requirement |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Innovative founder visa uk |
3 Years |
|
Direct route after 3 years |
No fixed minimum |
|
Skilled Worker Visa |
5 Years |
|
After 5 years |
Not applicable |
|
Scale-up Visa |
2 Years |
|
Possible after 5 years |
Not applicable |
International entrepreneurs looking to establish innovative businesses in the UK can apply for this visa.
The visa is valid for an initial period of 3 years.
No specific minimum investment is required, but you must show sufficient funds to establish and grow your business.
Yes, your spouse, partner, and children under 18 can join you.
You must prove English ability at CEFR Level B2 in reading, writing, speaking, and listening.
You need an endorsement from an approved body for your business plan.
Develop a business plan, secure endorsement, and submit your visa application with required documents.
Meet business achievement and residence criteria, such as investment or job creation.
You must have at least £1,270 in personal funds held for 28 days.
It should include innovation evidence, financial planning, and market analysis.
Yes, you may undertake additional employment in roles requiring RQF Level 3 or above.
Lack of innovation evidence can lead to visa refusal; ensure your plan is comprehensive
Fees include an endorsement fee, visa application fee, and healthcare surcharge
Endorsement decisions typically take 4-8 weeks.
These are mandatory meetings with your endorsing body to demonstrate business progress.
Refusals can occur due to business plan issues, documentation problems, or eligibility issues.
You must maintain accurate financial records and submit tax returns as per UK standards.
Obtain new endorsement, show business progress, and maintain sufficient funds.
Yes, you can apply for settlement after 3 years if criteria are met.
It focuses on innovative business development with no fixed investment requirement and allows direct management of your venture.