Innovator Founder Visa
The Innovator Founder visa is designed for entrepreneurs who want to establish and run an innovative business in the UK. The applicant must have developed, or made a significant contribution to, the business idea and must play a key role in the day-to-day management and development of the business.
The business must be assessed and endorsed by a Home Office-approved endorsing body. For a new business, the applicant must demonstrate that the business is innovative, viable and scalable. The business plan must be original, realistic and achievable, meet new or existing market needs or create a competitive advantage, and demonstrate potential for job creation and growth into national and international markets.
There is no fixed minimum investment amount required under the Innovator Founder route. However, applicants establishing a new business must demonstrate to the endorsing body that they have sufficient funding to implement their business plan and must explain the source of those funds. Applicants may be part of a founding team, provided that each applicant meets the relevant endorsement requirements.
Financial Requirement
Applicants applying from outside the UK must normally have at least £1,270 in personal savings, held for at least 28 consecutive days. The same requirement applies to applicants switching to the Innovator Founder route who have been in the UK with permission for less than 12 months.
Applicants who have been living in the UK with valid permission for at least 12 months at the date of application do not normally need to demonstrate these maintenance funds. Business investment funds cannot be relied upon to satisfy the personal maintenance requirement.
Visa Duration and Settlement
The Innovator Founder visa is granted for 3 years. Applicants must have at least two contact point meetings with their endorsing body during this period to demonstrate progress with their business. There is no limit on the number of times the visa can be extended, provided that the relevant requirements continue to be met and a new endorsement is obtained.
The Innovator Founder route can lead to Indefinite Leave to Remain after 3 years. However, completing three years on the route does not automatically qualify an applicant for settlement. A new endorsement is required, the business must be active, trading and sustainable, and the applicant must demonstrate significant achievements against the business plan and satisfy at least two of the specified business growth criteria. The applicant must also meet the continuous residence requirement and, where applicable, pass the Life in the UK Test.
Work and Business Activities
Innovator Founder visa holders can establish and operate one or more businesses in the UK and work for their own business as a director or as a self-employed member of a business partnership.
They may also undertake employment outside their own business, provided that the job requires a qualification of at least RQF Level 3. Innovator Founder visa holders cannot work as professional sportspersons.
Home Office and Endorsement Fees
The current Home Office application fee is:
• £1,357 per person for applications made outside the UK;
• £1,693 per person for applications made inside the UK.
The same visa application fees apply to dependant family members. Applicants must also pay the applicable Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS).
In addition to the Home Office fees, the applicant must pay £1,000 (amount can vary depending on the chosen endorsement body) to an approved endorsing body for the initial endorsement. Following a successful visa application, a fee of £500 (can vary) is payable to the endorsing body for each mandatory contact point meeting. At least two such meetings are required during the visa period. These endorsement and contact point fees are stated excluding VAT.
English Language Requirement
Applicants must demonstrate English language ability at B2 level in reading, writing, speaking and listening, unless an exemption applies.
The requirement can normally be met by passing an approved Secure English Language Test (SELT), holding an eligible UK qualification, or holding a degree taught in English that meets the relevant requirements. Applicants who are nationals of specified majority English-speaking countries are not normally required to take an English language test. Other exemptions and methods of satisfying the requirement may also apply under the Immigration Rules.
Switching to the Innovator Founder Visa
Applicants who are already in the UK may be able to switch to the Innovator Founder route if they meet the relevant requirements.
However, an applicant cannot normally switch to this route if their current or last permission is as:
• a Visitor;
• a Short-term Student;
• a Parent of a Child Student;
• a Seasonal Worker;
• a Domestic Worker in a Private Household;
• a person with permission outside the Immigration Rules.
A person on immigration bail also cannot apply for permission to stay under this route.
