BEFORE YOU LEAVE

UK Innovator Founder Visa

The UK Innovator Founder Visa is for entrepreneurs who want to set up and grow an innovative business in the United Kingdom. It is suitable for founders with a strong business idea, a clear commercial plan and the ability to build a business with genuine growth potential.

To qualify, your business idea must usually be endorsed by an approved endorsing body. The endorsing body will assess whether your business is innovative, viable and scalable, and whether you will play an active role in developing and running the business. The current route is called the Innovator Founder Visa, which replaced the previous Innovator Visa and Start-up Visa categories.

Unlike the old Innovator Visa route, the Innovator Founder Visa does not always require a fixed £50,000 investment. However, applicants still need to show that their business idea is credible, properly planned and capable of success in the UK market.

What is the UK Innovator Founder Visa?

The Innovator Founder Visa allows eligible entrepreneurs to come to the UK to establish and run a business. The business must be based on a new or original idea and must normally be endorsed by an approved UK endorsing body before the visa application is submitted.

This visa may be suitable if you:

• Have an innovative business idea
• Want to start a business in the UK
• Have a realistic and well-researched business plan
• Can show that your business has growth potential
• Want to work for your own UK business
• Want to bring your partner and children to the UK
• Want a visa route that may lead to settlement in the UK

If your application is successful, you can usually stay in the UK for up to 3 years. You may be able to extend your visa or apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain if you meet the relevant requirements.

Innovator Founder Visa Requirements

To apply for a UK Innovator Founder Visa, you must meet the relevant Home Office requirements. These usually include an endorsement, a suitable business idea, English-language ability, financial evidence, and supporting documents.

The main Innovator Founder Visa requirements are set out below.

1. Endorsement from an Approved Endorsing Body

Before applying for the visa, you must usually obtain an endorsement from an approved endorsing body. This is one of the most important parts of the Innovator Founder Visa process.

The endorsing body will assess your business idea and decide whether it meets the required standard. Your business must normally be:

Innovative

Your business idea should be original or meaningfully different from what is already available in the market.

Viable

Your business plan should be realistic, credible and capable of being delivered by you.

Scalable

Your business should have potential for growth, job creation or expansion into wider UK or international markets.

The Innovator Founder applicants must be endorsed for a business idea and that authorised endorsing bodies are responsible for assessing applicants under the route.

2. A Genuine and Innovative Business Idea

Your business idea must be more than a general trading proposal. It should show something new, different or commercially distinctive.

A strong business idea should clearly explain:

• What problem your business solves
• Who your target customers are
• What makes your idea different
• Why there is demand for your product or service
• How your business will generate revenue
• Why the UK is the right place to launch or grow the business
• How the business can expand over time

The endorsing body will want to see that you understand your market and that your business idea is not simply a copy of an existing business.

3. A Credible Business Plan

Your business plan is a key part of the Innovator Founder Visa process. It should be clear, practical and supported by evidence.

A strong Innovator Founder Visa business plan may include:

• Executive summary
• Business concept
• Product or service description
• Market research
• Competitor analysis
• Target customers
• Sales and marketing strategy
• Pricing model
• Operational plan
• Financial forecasts
• Funding plan
• Founder background
• Growth strategy
• Risk analysis

Your business plan should be written specifically for your business. A generic or unrealistic plan can weaken both the endorsement application and the visa application.

4. Your Role in the Business

The Innovator Founder Visa is intended for genuine founders, not passive investors. You must show that you will have a key role in the day-to-day management and development of the business.

You may need to show that you will be involved in:

• Developing the business idea
• Managing business operations
• Making strategic decisions
• Building the product or service
• Leading sales, partnerships or investment activity
• Overseeing the UK launch
• Growing the business over time

Your application should clearly show why you are important to the success of the business.

5. English Language Requirement

You must normally meet the English language requirement unless an exemption applies.

You may be able to prove your English language ability through:

• An approved English language test
• A qualifying academic degree taught in English
• Nationality from a majority English-speaking country
• A previous successful UK visa application where English was already accepted

The exact evidence required will depend on your circumstances.

6. Financial Requirement

You may need to show that you have enough personal funds to support yourself in the UK. This is separate from any funding required for the business.

The financial requirement can depend on whether you are applying from inside or outside the UK and whether your family members are applying with you. You should make sure your bank statements and financial documents meet the relevant Home Office rules before submitting your application.

Innovator Founder Visa Endorsing Bodies

To apply for a UK Innovator Founder Visa, you must usually obtain an endorsement from an approved endorsing body before submitting your visa application.

An endorsing body is an organisation authorised by the Home Office to assess whether your business idea meets the Innovator Founder Visa requirements. They review whether your business is innovative, viable and scalable, and whether you are genuinely involved in developing and running the business.

An organisation can only issue an endorsement for a new initial Innovator Founder application if it is included on the official list of endorsing bodies.

Current Innovator Founder Visa Endorsing Bodies

The current Business Endorsing Bodies who can issue endorsements for Innovator Founder visas and Scale-up licences. These are:

• UK Endorsing Services
• Innovator International
• Envestors Limited

The Global Entrepreneurs Programme, known as GEP, as an organisation that can issue endorsements for the Innovator Founder Visa only. GEP is a government programme run by the Department for Business and Trade for internationally mobile, tech-based entrepreneurs, and it provides visa endorsements only to founders who have already been invited to participate in the programme.

Legacy Innovator Endorsing Bodies

There are several Legacy Innovator Endorsing Bodies. These organisations no longer accept new Start-up or Innovator applications. They can only continue maintaining and monitoring existing migrants whom they previously endorsed under the old Innovator or Start-up visa routes before 13 April 2023.

Applicants should not approach legacy endorsing bodies unless they are already an existing endorsee.

Endorsement Fees and Contact Point Meetings

It costs £1,000 per person to apply for an Innovator Founder Visa endorsement. This fee is paid directly to the endorsing body.

If your Innovator Founder Visa application is successful, you must meet with your endorsing body for at least two mandatory contact point meetings during your permission to stay in the UK. Each contact point meeting costs £500, paid directly to the endorsing body.

These meetings are used to check your progress and confirm that you are continuing to work on the business.

What Does the Endorsing Body Check?

The endorsing body will usually assess whether:

• Your business idea is genuinely innovative
• Your business plan is realistic and credible
• Your business has potential for growth
• You have the skills and experience to deliver the business
• You have made a significant contribution to the business idea
• You will be actively involved in running the business
• Your business is not simply a copy of an existing company
• You have a credible plan for developing the business in the UK

Getting endorsement is a key stage of the Innovator Founder Visa process. Without a valid endorsement from an approved endorsing body, your visa application is unlikely to succeed.

Do You Need £50,000 Investment Funds?

Under the previous Innovator Visa route, many applicants had to show access to at least £50,000 in investment funds. The current Innovator Founder Visa does not always require a fixed £50,000 minimum investment amount.

However, this does not mean funding is irrelevant. If your business needs investment or start-up capital, you must be able to show that your funding plan is realistic.

Depending on your business, useful evidence may include:

• Personal savings
• Investor funding
• Business loans
• Grant funding
• Accelerator or incubator support
• Commercial partnerships
• Early revenue
• Product development funds

Your financial plan should match the needs of your business. For example, a technology platform, retail business, manufacturing concept or regulated service may each require different levels of funding and evidence.

New Business and Same Business Applications

There are different types of Innovator Founder applications depending on your circumstances.

New Business Application

A new business application is for applicants who want to establish a new business in the UK.

You will need to show that:

• You have generated or significantly contributed to the business idea
• The business idea is innovative, viable and scalable
• You will be actively involved in developing the business
• You have a credible business plan
• You understand the market and commercial risks

Same Business Application

A same business application may apply if you have previously been endorsed under a relevant business route and are continuing with the same business.

You may need to show that:

• The business is active
• The business is trading or making progress
• You remain involved in the business
• You have met previous contact point requirements
• The business continues to be viable and scalable

Home Office recognises different endorsement scenarios, including new business and same business applications.

What Can You Do on an Innovator Founder Visa?

With an Innovator Founder Visa, you can usually:

• Set up a business in the UK
• Run one or more businesses
• Work for your own business
• Be employed as a director of your company
• Work as a self-employed member of a business partnership
• Do certain skilled work outside your business
• Bring eligible family members to the UK
• Travel outside the UK and return
• Apply for settlement if you meet the requirements

The Innovator Founder Visa holders can work for their business, do eligible work outside the business, bring dependants, travel abroad and apply for settlement if eligible.

You cannot usually:

• Claim most public funds
• Work as a professional sportsperson or sports coach

Bringing Your Family to the UK

Your partner and children may be able to apply as your dependants. If their applications are successful, they can live with you in the UK during your visa.

Dependants may need to provide:

• Valid passports
• Relationship evidence
• Financial evidence
• Immigration history
• TB test certificates, if required
• Other supporting documents depending on their circumstances

How Long is the Innovator Founder Visa Valid For?

The Innovator Founder Visa is usually granted for up to 3 years. Before your visa expires, you may be able to apply for an extension or settlement, depending on your circumstances.

During your visa, you must continue to work on your endorsed business and maintain contact with your endorsing body.

Innovator Founder Visa Extension

You may be able to extend your Innovator Founder Visa if you continue to meet the requirements and obtain a further endorsement.

Your endorsing body may need to confirm that:

• Your business is active
• You are still involved in the business
• The business is making progress
• You have attended required contact point meetings
• You continue to meet the route requirements
• You have complied with your visa conditions

Extensions are not automatic. It is important to keep strong records of your business activity, including trading evidence, product development, investment, marketing, customer growth, partnerships and financial performance.

Innovator Founder Visa Settlement

The Innovator Founder Visa can lead to Indefinite Leave to Remain in the UK. You may be able to apply for settlement after 3 years if you meet the relevant eligibility requirements.

Settlement requirements can be detailed and evidence-heavy. You may need to show that your business has made genuine progress and that you continue to meet the endorsement requirements.

Planning early is important. The evidence you keep during your first 3 years can make a significant difference when applying for settlement.

Common Reasons Innovator Founder Visa Applications Are Refused

Innovator Founder Visa applications can be refused if the evidence is weak, inconsistent or incomplete.

Common issues include:

• The business idea is not genuinely innovative
• The business plan is too generic
• Market research is weak
• Financial forecasts are unrealistic
• The applicant cannot explain the business clearly
• The endorsement evidence is incomplete
• Documents do not match the application form
• The applicant appears to be a passive investor
• The applicant does not meet the English language requirement
• The applicant does not meet the financial requirement
• UKVI has concerns about credibility

A strong application should be well-prepared, consistent and supported by clear evidence.

Innovator Founder Visa Documents

The documents required for an Innovator Founder Visa depend on your circumstances. However, applicants may need to provide:

• Valid passport
• Endorsement letter
• Business plan
• Evidence of your role in the business
• Evidence of your skills and experience
• Financial evidence
• English language evidence
• Company documents, if applicable
• Investment or funding evidence, if relevant
• TB test certificate, if required
• Dependant documents, if family members are applying

You should not rely on a generic document checklist. Your evidence should be tailored to your business, your immigration history and your personal circumstances.

How Visa Simple Can Help

The Innovator Founder Visa process involves both business endorsement and immigration application preparation. A strong application should be clear, credible and supported by the right evidence.

Visa Simple can help with:

• Initial eligibility assessment
• Innovator Founder Visa advice
• Endorsement guidance
• Business plan review
• Supporting document checklist
• Visa application preparation
• Cover letter and legal representations
• Dependant visa applications
• Extension applications
• Settlement advice

We help identify potential weaknesses early and guide you through the process step by step.

Why Choose Visa Simple?

At Visa Simple, we understand that every founder’s journey is different. Some applicants are at the idea stage, while others already have a developed business, early customers, investment or international traction.

Our service is:

• Personalised
• Clear
• Strategic
• Evidence-focused
• Practical
• Designed around your business goals

We provide honest immigration advice and help you prepare your application with care.

FAQ

• What is the UK Innovator Founder Visa? v

  • The UK Innovator Founder Visa is a business immigration route for entrepreneurs who want to establish an innovative, viable and scalable business in the UK. The business idea must usually be endorsed by an approved endorsing body.

• Is the Innovator Visa still available? v

  • The previous Innovator Visa route has been replaced by the Innovator Founder Visa. Applicants should check the current Innovator Founder rules rather than relying on older Innovator Visa guidance.

• Do I need an endorsing body? v

  • Yes. Most applicants must obtain endorsement from an approved endorsing body before applying for the Innovator Founder Visa.

• Who are the current Innovator Founder Visa endorsing bodies? v

  • The current Business Endorsing Bodies listed are UK Endorsing Services, Innovator International and Envestors Limited. The Global Entrepreneurs Programme as able to issue endorsements for the Innovator Founder Visa only, for founders invited to participate in that programme.

• How much does endorsement cost? v

  • It costs £1,000 per person to apply for an Innovator Founder Visa endorsement. Mandatory contact point meetings cost £500 per meeting, paid directly to the endorsing body.

• Do I need £50,000 to apply for an Innovator Founder Visa? v

  • Not always. The current Innovator Founder Visa does not always require a fixed £50,000 minimum investment. However, you must show that your business is properly planned and has access to suitable resources where funding is needed.

• What does innovative, viable and scalable mean? v

  • Innovative means your business idea is original or meaningfully different. Viable means your business plan is realistic and achievable. Scalable means the business has potential for growth, job creation or wider market expansion.

• Can I bring my family to the UK? v

  • Yes. Your partner and children may be able to apply as your dependants if they meet the relevant requirements.

• Can I work outside my business? v

  • Yes, in some circumstances. GOV.UK confirms that Innovator Founder Visa holders can do eligible work outside their business, subject to the visa conditions.

• How long is the Innovator Founder Visa valid for? v

  • The visa is usually granted for up to 3 years. You may then be able to apply for an extension or settlement if you meet the requirements.

• Can the Innovator Founder Visa lead to ILR? v

  • Yes. The Innovator Founder Visa can lead to Indefinite Leave to Remain after 3 years if you meet the settlement requirements.