The Innovator Founder visa is designed for individuals who want to establish and run their own business in the UK. Applicants must demonstrate both the ambition and ability to create an innovative business within the country.

Eligibility Criteria

To qualify for an Innovator Founder visa, applicants must meet the following requirements:

• Investment Funds: Applicants must have access to at least £50,000 in investment funds for their UK business. If applying as a team, each applicant must contribute at least £50,000, totaling £100,000. Third-party funding is allowed but must be properly documented.
• Maintenance Funds: Applicants must have at least £1,270 in personal savings, maintained for a minimum of 28 days before applying.
• English Language Proficiency: Applicants must demonstrate English proficiency at a B2 level on the CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages). This can be proven through an approved language test, nationality from a majority English-speaking country, or a degree taught in English.
• Innovation, Viability & Scalability: Applicants must present a genuine and original business plan that addresses a new or existing market need. They must also have the necessary skills, knowledge, and experience to successfully run the business. The business must show potential for job creation and expansion into national and international markets.

These factors are assessed by government-approved endorsing bodies, which issue endorsement letters to successful applicants. In some cases, the Home Office may conduct an interview to verify the applicant’s credibility.

Duration of the Innovator Founder Visa

The Innovator Founder visa is initially granted for three years, with the option to extend for additional three-year periods if needed.

To qualify for an extension, applicants must demonstrate that their business has made significant progress, as assessed against their original business plan.

The business must be fully registered, actively trading, and financially sustainable for at least the next 12 months. The applicant must demonstrate their active involvement in the daily operations of the business, and the endorsing body must be satisfied that they will dedicate their full working time in the UK to developing business ventures.

If the original business does not meet these criteria, applicants can apply for a visa extension with a new business idea, provided they meet all the initial application requirements.

Can Family Members Be Included?

Applicants can include their partner and children under 18 in their Innovator Founder visa application. Dependents will receive the same visa duration as the main applicant and will have the right to work or start their own business in the UK.

Does This Visa Lead to Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR)?

Innovator Founder visa holders can apply for settlement (Indefinite Leave to Remain) after three years if they meet at least two of the following criteria:

• At least £50,000 has been invested in the UK business.
• The number of customers has at least doubled in the last three years and exceeds the average for similar UK businesses.
• The business has conducted significant research and development (R&D) and applied for Intellectual Property protection in the UK.
• The business has generated at least £1 million in gross annual revenue in the most recent full year.
• The business has generated at least £500,000 in gross annual revenue in the last full year, with at least £100,000 coming from overseas exports.
• The business has created at least 10 full-time jobs for resident workers, paying at least the National Minimum Wage.
• The business has created at least 5 full-time jobs for resident workers, each paying at least £25,000 per year.

Applicants must also meet the Knowledge of Language and Life in the UK requirement and ensure their absences from the UK remain within permitted limits.

Dependents will typically be eligible for ILR after completing five years as a dependent.