Innovator Founder visa

At a Glance

Item	Details
Visa name	Innovator Founder visa
Stay	3 years per grant; unlimited extensions
Cost	£1,357 outside UK; £1,693 inside UK
Endorsement cost	£1,000 endorsement; £500 per progress meeting
Processing time	3 weeks outside UK; 8 weeks inside
Eligibility timing	Apply before current permission expires
Work rights	Run business; outside work at level 3+
Study	Permitted for dependants
Medicare / Healthcare	Healthcare surcharge payable
Travel facility	Travel abroad and return to UK permitted
Settlement / Citizenship	Indefinite leave to remain after 3 years
Family sponsorship	Eligible partner and children allowed
Visa record	eVisa via online UKVI account

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Purpose

The Innovator Founder visa (formerly the Innovator visa) is for individuals who want to set up and run an innovative business in the UK that is different from anything else on the market.

Eligibility Requirements

Business Criteria

Your business idea must be assessed and approved by an approved endorsing body. You must demonstrate that the business idea is:

• New: You cannot join an existing, trading business.
• Innovative: You must have an original business idea different from anything on the market.
• Viable: Possesses growth potential.
• Scalable: Shows planning for job creation and growth into national and international markets.

You must prove to the endorsing body that you have sufficient funding and identify its source. Investment funds are not required if your business is already established and was endorsed for an earlier visa, or if you changed your business with endorsing body agreement.

General Criteria

• Age: At least 18 years old.
• Endorsement: An official endorsement letter from an approved body.
• Personal Savings: At least £1,270 in your bank account held for 28 consecutive days before applying (unless switching/extending after being in the UK for 1 year or more). Investment funds or illegal earnings cannot be used.

English Language Requirement

You must prove English proficiency to at least CEFR level B2 in reading, writing, speaking, and understanding through one of the following:

• A UK school qualification (GCSE, A Level, Scottish National Qualification level 4/5, or Scottish Higher/Advanced Higher) started while under 18.
• A degree taught in English awarded by a UK institution.
• A degree taught in English outside the UK with confirmation from Ecctis.
• Passing an approved Secure English Language Test (SELT).
• Being a national of an exempt majority English-speaking country (e.g., Australia, Canada, New Zealand, USA).
• Having proved it in a previous successful application.

Endorsement and Check-ins

• Endorsement Fee: £1,000 paid directly to the endorsing body.
• Monitoring Meetings: You must meet with your endorsing body after 12 months and 24 months to show business progress. Each meeting costs £500.
• If your endorsement is withdrawn, your visa may be shortened.

Stay, Extensions, and Settlement

• Initial Stay: 3 years.
• Extensions: Extend for 3 years at a time with no maximum limit. You must get re-assessed by an endorsing body.
• Settlement (Indefinite Leave to Remain): You can apply after living in the UK for 3 years on this route.

Costs and Processing

Application Fees

• Outside the UK: £1,357 per person.
• Inside the UK (Switch or Extend): £1,693 per person.
• Healthcare Surcharge: Mandatory immigration healthcare surcharge.
• Biometrics: No fee for taking biometrics in the UK.

Processing Times

• Outside the UK: Usually 3 weeks.
• Inside the UK: Usually 8 weeks.
• Priority processing options may be purchased where available.

Conditions and Rights

Permitted Activities

• Set up one or multiple businesses.
• Work for your business as a director or self-employed partnership member.
• Undertake employment outside your business in roles requiring at least a level 3 qualification.
• Bring eligible dependants.
• Travel abroad and re-enter the UK.

Prohibited Activities

• Accessing most public funds (state benefits).
• Working as a professional sportsperson or sports coach.

Family Members (Dependants)

Eligible partners and children under 18 (or over 18 if already dependants in the UK) may apply.

Relationship Criteria

• Partners: Legally recognised marriage/civil partnership, or proof of at least 2 years of cohabitation or ongoing commitment.
• Children: Must live with you (unless in full-time education) and not be married/in a civil partnership.

Financial Requirements for Dependants

Funds must be held for 28 consecutive days:

• £285 for a partner
• £315 for the first child
• £200 for each additional child

(Exempt if applying in the UK after residing there for 1 year or more).

Dependant Rights and Settlement

• Rights: Work (except as a professional sportsperson/coach) and study. No access to public funds or State Pension.
• Settlement: Dependants can apply for settlement after 5 years in the UK.
• UK-Born Children: Do not automatically become British citizens; must apply for a dependant visa to travel.

Switching to this Visa

You can switch from another visa while in the UK if eligible. Student visa holders must have either completed their course or completed at least 24 months of a full-time PhD.

Ineligible Switching Categories

You cannot switch inside the UK if you hold permission on:

• Visit visa
• Short-term student visa
• Parent of a Child Student visa
• Seasonal worker visa
• Domestic worker in a private household visa
• Immigration bail
• Leave outside the immigration rules

Documents Required

• Endorsement letter from an approved body.
• Valid passport or identity document.
• Bank statements showing required maintenance funds held for 28 days.
• Proof of English language proficiency.
• Tuberculosis (TB) test results (if from a country requiring screening).
• Certified translations for any non-English or non-Welsh documents.

How to Apply

1. Obtain an endorsement letter from an approved endorsing body.
2. Complete the online visa application (outside the UK or inside the UK).
3. Prove identity via the "UK Immigration: ID Check" app or at a visa application centre / UKVCAS point.
4. Pay the visa application fee, endorsement fees, and healthcare surcharge.

Important Warnings

• Travel During Application: If applying from inside the UK (extending or switching), you must not travel outside the UK, Ireland, the Channel Islands, or the Isle of Man until a decision is issued. Leaving will cause your application to be withdrawn.
• Endorsement Cancellation: Your visa may be curtailed if your endorsing body withdraws its endorsement.