Who Can Apply for the Innovator Founder Visa?

You may be eligible for this visa if:

• You intend to establish and run a genuinely innovative business in the UK
• Your business idea has been endorsed by an authorised endorsing body
• You meet all other relevant visa requirements

In addition, your business must be new and original, rather than an extension of an existing enterprise. You will also need to demonstrate that the business is viable, scalable, and capable of long-term growth. Applicants must meet a higher level of English language ability, set at B2 on the CEFR scale.

Conditions of the Innovator Founder Visa

If your application is successful, you must comply with certain conditions during your stay in the UK. Under this visa, you are permitted to:

• Establish one or more businesses in the UK
• Work within your business as a director or self-employed partner
• Bring your partner and dependent children
• Travel in and out of the UK
• Apply for settlement once you meet the requirements

However, you are not permitted to:

• Work outside your business or take employment with another organisation
• Work as a professional sportsperson
• Access public funds or claim a state pension

Full details of your conditions will be provided if your visa is granted.

Required Documents

As part of your application, you must provide documents to demonstrate that you meet the visa requirements.

These include:

• An endorsement letter from an approved endorsing body confirming your business idea
• A valid passport or travel document
• Bank statements showing at least £1,270 in personal savings
• Evidence that you meet the English language requirement
• Tuberculosis test results, where applicable

If any documents are not in English or Welsh, certified translations must be provided. You must also have a blank page in your passport for the visa.

Endorsing Bodies

A key requirement of the Innovator Founder Visa is obtaining approval from an authorised endorsing body. These organisations assess whether your business idea meets the required standards of innovation, viability, and scalability. Only approved organisations listed by the UK government are permitted to issue endorsements. Each endorsing body may focus on specific sectors, operate in different locations, and apply its own criteria and timelines when assessing applications.

English Language Requirements

You must demonstrate that you meet the required English language level of B2.

This can be done in one of the following ways:

• Passing an approved Secure English Language Test (SELT)
• Holding a UK school qualification such as a GCSE
• Holding a degree taught in English
• Being a national of a majority English-speaking country
• Relying on evidence from a previous successful visa application

Financial Requirements

Although there is no minimum investment requirement for the business itself, you must show that you can support yourself financially in the UK.

You will need to demonstrate:

• At least £1,270 in personal savings for the main applicant
• Additional funds if you are bringing dependants

These funds must have been held for at least 28 consecutive days before your application.

Settlement in the UK (Indefinite Leave to Remain)

The Innovator Founder Visa provides a direct route to settlement after three years in the UK. To qualify, you must meet the continuous residence requirement and show that you have been actively involved in your business. You must not have spent more than 180 days outside the UK in any 12-month period. You will also need to meet the English language requirement at a higher level and pass the Life in the UK Test.

Business Requirements for Settlement

As part of your settlement application, you must obtain a further endorsement confirming that your business has made genuine progress and remains sustainable.

The endorsement must confirm:

• Details of the endorsing body and your original endorsement
• That your business is actively trading and financially viable
• That you continue to play a key role in its management and development
• That your business meets at least two of the recognised success criteria

To qualify, your business must meet at least two of the following:

• You have invested at least £50,000 into the business
• Your customer base has significantly increased
• You have undertaken research and development or secured intellectual property protection
• The business has generated at least £1 million in annual revenue
• The business has generated at least £500,000 with strong growth
• You have created at least 10 full-time jobs
• You have created at least 5 full-time jobs with salaries of at least £25,000 Bottom of Form

Specialist Legal Advice and Representation

The requirements for an Innovator Founder Visa can vary significantly depending on your individual circumstances. Careful preparation and a clear legal strategy are essential to ensure that your application meets the Immigration Rules and is supported by the appropriate evidence.

Our specialist immigration lawyers provide comprehensive legal advice and representation, guiding you through each stage of the application process with precision, clarity, and a focus on achieving a successful outcome.

Our Service

We offer a fully managed service on a fixed-fee basis, covering all aspects of your application from initial instruction through to a decision by the Home Office.

If instructed, your matter will be handled by a specialist immigration lawyer who will:

• Take detailed instructions to establish all relevant facts
• Advise you on the eligibility and suitability requirements of your application
• Assess the strengths and potential risks in your case, and advise on how these may be addressed
• Provide a tailored schedule of supporting documents
• Review all documentation to ensure compliance with the Immigration Rules and required format
• Advise on any additional evidence required following review
• Prepare and complete your application form for your approval
• Draft detailed legal representations demonstrating how the requirements are met
• Prepare witness statements where necessary
• Submit your application and supporting documents via the Home Office portal
• Arrange your biometric enrolment appointment
• Liaise with the Home Office on your behalf, including responding to any further enquiries

Where appropriate, we will also take steps to secure priority processing in order to minimise decision times.

Our Approach

Our approach is defined by careful preparation, technical expertise, and a clear focus on results. Each application is handled with close attention to detail to ensure that it is properly evidenced, accurately presented, and aligned with Home Office requirements. Your matter will be assigned to a lawyer with specialist expertise in immigration law, who will manage your case throughout. In more complex matters, additional specialist input will be provided to ensure a thorough and considered approach. We provide a flexible service to clients based in the UK and internationally. Consultations and case handling can be conducted remotely without compromising on quality, alongside in-person meetings where preferred.

Fees and Accessibility

We offer our services on a transparent fixed-fee basis, providing certainty as to legal costs from the outset. Payment plans may be available to assist with managing fees.

You may also submit an initial enquiry online to receive preliminary guidance on your circumstances before deciding how you wish to proceed.

Contact Us

For tailored advice and professional representation in relation to your Innovator Founder Visa application, please contact our specialist immigration lawyers.