What the Innovator Founder visa is
The Innovator Founder visa is for experienced businesspeople who want to start and run an innovative business in the UK. It replaced the earlier Innovator and Start-up routes. You need the endorsement of an approved endorsing body, which checks the business idea, and you must show English at the required level. You may set up one business or several, and work as a director or a self-employed partner, and you may take other employment at a skill level of RQF level 3 or above.
What the business must be
- New. You cannot join a business that is already trading.
- Innovative. The idea must be genuinely original, and distinct from anything on the market.
- Viable. It must have a realistic plan and growth potential, and you must have the skills and experience to deliver it.
- Scalable. There must be evidence of plans to create jobs and to expand nationally, or internationally.
The endorsement process
An endorsing body assesses whether your business meets those four tests. You pay £1,000 for the initial assessment, and £500 for each meeting with the endorsing body. There are at least two meetings during your stay, at about 12 and 24 months, to check progress. The body can withdraw its endorsement if you are not meeting your plan, and that can shorten or end your visa. Preparing the business plan, the evidence of your experience and a realistic forecast is the heart of the application.
Fees
| Item | Fee |
|---|---|
| Visa from outside the UK | £1,357 for each person |
| Visa from inside the UK (extend or switch) | £1,693 for each person |
| Endorsement assessment | £1,000 |
| Each meeting with the endorsing body | £500 |
| Immigration health surcharge | For the whole stay, for each person. See the Immigration Health Surcharge |
Length, extensions and settlement
The first visa is for three years. You can extend it for further periods of three years, with no limit on the number of extensions. After three years in the UK you may qualify for indefinite leave to remain, if you have met the requirements, including that the business has been active, and you have been actively managing it. See indefinite leave to remain.
Family
Your partner and children can join you as dependants. See dependant visas.
Common reasons for failure
- A business that is not new, or that is a variation of an existing product.
- A plan that does not show the founder has the skills or the track record to carry it out.
- A forecast that is not credible, or that cannot be tied to evidence.
- A failure to meet the endorsing body’s check-ins, or to show active management of the business.
Other routes to compare
If you are a leader in your field without a business plan, see Global Talent. If you will be employed by a UK sponsor, see the Skilled Worker visa. For fast-growing UK businesses recruiting staff, see the Scale-up visa.
How we help
We test your idea against the four endorsement criteria, help you build the business plan, prepare the endorsement and visa applications, and plan for the check-ins and settlement. Book a consultation below.
