The Innovator Founder visa is for entrepreneurs seeking to establish and develop an innovative, viable and scalable UK business. An approved endorsing body must support the application, and the applicant must play an active role in developing the venture.

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At a glance

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Who it is for: Entrepreneurs aged 18 or over with a qualifying endorsed business proposal.
Employer sponsorship: Not required; business endorsement is required.
Length of stay: Normally three years, with extensions possible.

Settlement: Potentially after three qualifying years if the business and personal requirements are met.

 

Dependants: Eligible partners and children may apply.

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Main eligibility requirements

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You must have generated or made a significant contribution to the business idea and have a key role in its day-to-day management and development.

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The business must be innovative, with an original proposition meeting a market need or offering a competitive advantage; viable, with realistic resources and relevant skills; and scalable, with credible plans for growth and job creation.

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You need an endorsement issued within the three months before application. The endorsing body must be satisfied with your suitability and the legitimacy of relevant business funds. Continuing with an already endorsed business requires evidence of progress, trading and sustainability under the same-business criteria.

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English and financial requirements

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You normally need English at B2 level.

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There is no fixed £50,000 minimum investment requirement for the initial visa. However, you must demonstrate that the proposed business has sufficient legitimate funding to be viable.

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Personal maintenance is separate from business investment. You normally need £1,270 held for 28 consecutive days, with the evidence meeting Appendix Finance.

 

Eligible applicants applying inside the UK after at least 12 months' lawful residence are exempt from showing maintenance funds. Dependants may need additional funds.

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Business monitoring and other work

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You must attend the required contact-point meetings with the endorsing body, normally around months 12 and 24. Failure to make appropriate progress or maintain endorsement can affect your permission.

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Work outside your business is permitted where the role is skilled to at least RQF level 3. The endorsed business must remain genuine, and separate restrictions prevent using it simply to hire out your labour to another business.

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Settlement requirements

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Three years does not automatically lead to settlement. You need a fresh endorsement confirming the required business progress and at least two specified business-success criteria, alongside residence, suitability and Life in the UK requirements.

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The criteria include qualifying investment, customer growth, research and development, revenue or job creation. Each has detailed conditions, and founding teams cannot simply share the same achievement to satisfy every member's application.

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Evidence commonly required

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Passport; endorsement; business plan and market research; financial forecasts and funding evidence; relevant experience; English and maintenance evidence; and any required TB or family documents.

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Application process

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Assess the business proposal, obtain endorsement, prepare the visa evidence and apply online. After approval, maintain business records and attend the endorsing body's reviews.

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Common issues

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Buying or opening an ordinary business does not by itself meet the innovation requirement. Passive investment and generic business plans are unlikely to demonstrate the required active founder role.

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Frequently asked questions

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Must I invest £50,000 to obtain the visa?

No fixed amount applies to an initial application, but sufficient credible funding is still necessary.

Can my partner settle after three years with me?

Normally, a dependent partner has a separate five-year qualifying period.

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