Innovator Founder Visa

The UK Innovator Founder visa is the primary immigration route for foreign entrepreneurs who wish to establish an innovative business in the United Kingdom. Introduced in April 2023, it replaced and merged the previous Start-up visa and Innovator visa. A key reform was the removal of the former GBP 50,000 minimum investment requirement, making the route accessible to founders who can demonstrate a credible business proposition regardless of available capital. The visa provides a direct path to settlement (permanent residence) after just 3 years if the business meets specified growth milestones.

• Business idea endorsed as innovative, viable, and scalable by an approved endorsing body
• At least GBP 1,270 in personal savings held for 28 consecutive days (waived if applicant has held UK permission for 12+ months)
• English language ability at CEFR B2 level
• Valid passport or travel document
• Must be aged 18 or over
• TB test certificate if applying from a listed country
• Business must be genuinely new (cannot join an already-trading business unless continuing a previously endorsed venture)

Four approved endorsing bodies assess business ideas:

• Envestors Limited
• UK Endorsing Services
• Innovator International
• Global Entrepreneurs Programme (effectively invitation-only)

The endorsing body evaluates whether the business idea is innovative (genuine and original, not a replication of something already on the market), viable (realistic and achievable), and scalable (capable of growth). The endorsement fee is GBP 1,000.

• Valid passport or travel document
• Endorsement letter from approved endorsing body (dated within 3 months of application)
• Bank statements showing GBP 1,270+ held for 28 consecutive days
• Proof of English language at CEFR B2 level
• TB test results if applying from a listed country
• Certified translations for documents not in English or Welsh

• Visa application: GBP 1,274 from outside UK; GBP 1,590 for extensions or switches within UK
• Endorsement fee: GBP 1,000 (paid to endorsing body)
• Two mandatory contact-point meetings: GBP 500 each (GBP 1,000 total over 3-year period)
• Immigration Health Surcharge: GBP 1,035/year (GBP 3,105 for 3 years)
• Dependants pay the same visa application fee plus Immigration Health Surcharge

The initial grant is 3 years. Extensions are available for further 3-year periods with no limit on the number of extensions. Renewal requires a fresh endorsement letter confirming the business is active, trading, and sustainable, and that the applicant continues to play a day-to-day management role. Two further mandatory contact-point meetings (GBP 500 each) are required during each extension period.

Indefinite Leave to Remain (permanent residence) is available after 3 years of continuous residence. The business must have achieved at least 2 of 7 specified growth milestones:

• At least GBP 50,000 invested and actively spent on the business
• Customer base at least doubled and exceeding the mean for comparable UK businesses
• Significant research and development with intellectual property protection applied for or granted
• Annual gross revenue of at least GBP 1 million
• Annual gross revenue of at least GBP 500,000 with at least GBP 100,000 from exports
• Created at least 10 full-time equivalent jobs for settled workers
• Created at least 5 full-time equivalent jobs with average salary of at least GBP 25,000/year

A fresh endorsement letter confirming achievement of these milestones is required. Applicants must also pass the Life in the UK test and maintain continuous residence. Settlement application fee is GBP 3,029.

Spouses, civil partners, unmarried partners (with a 2+ year relationship), and children under 18 may apply as dependants. Additional savings requirements: GBP 285 for a partner, GBP 315 for the first child, and GBP 200 for each additional child. Partners may work in the UK (except as professional sportsperson or coach). Partners can apply for settlement after 5 years of continuous residence.

Holders may establish and run their own business, and may also take supplementary employment in skilled roles at RQF Level 3 or above. Work as a professional sportsperson or coach is prohibited. No access to most public funds until settlement. The business must be registered with Companies House with the visa holder listed as a director.

UK tax residence is determined by the Statutory Residence Test — presence in the UK for 183+ days in a tax year creates automatic UK tax residence with liability on worldwide income. The business must register with HMRC. Limited companies pay Corporation Tax on profits. VAT registration is required if taxable turnover exceeds GBP 90,000.

The application follows a multi-stage process. First, approach one of the four approved endorsing bodies and pay the GBP 1,000 endorsement fee. The endorsing body assesses the business idea against innovation, viability, and scalability criteria. Upon receiving the endorsement letter, apply online via GOV.UK, uploading all required documents and paying the visa fee and Immigration Health Surcharge. Identity is verified via the UK Immigration: ID Check app or at a biometric appointment. Processing takes approximately 3 weeks from outside the UK or 8 weeks from within. During the 3-year visa period, two mandatory contact-point meetings with the endorsing body are required (at 12 and 24 months) to demonstrate business progress.

The business idea must be genuinely new — applicants cannot join an already-trading business. Each applicant must be the sole founder or an instrumental member of the founding team; passive investors do not qualify. If the endorsing body withdraws the endorsement, the Home Office may curtail the visa. Student visa holders who have completed their course can switch directly to the Innovator Founder route from within the UK. The Innovator Founder route offers a faster path to settlement (3 years) compared to most other UK work routes (typically 5 years).