The Innovator Founder visa is a UK immigration route designed for overseas entrepreneurs who wish to establish and operate innovative businesses in the UK. It has replaced the previous Innovator and Start-up visas, creating a single pathway for individuals with original and scalable business ideas.
What this article is about: This guide provides a comprehensive overview of the Innovator Founder visa, written from an authoritative legal perspective for UK employers, HR directors, and entrepreneurs. It explains who can apply, how the endorsement system works, the requirements for business plans, the application process, and the route towards settlement. By the end of the article, readers will understand both the practical and legal considerations involved in sponsoring or supporting entrepreneurs under this visa.
Section A: Understanding the Innovator Founder Visa
The Innovator Founder visa was introduced to streamline the UK’s immigration routes for entrepreneurs, replacing the former Innovator and Start-up visas. Its purpose is to attract ambitious individuals who can bring fresh, original business ideas to the UK economy. Unlike other work-based visas, this route focuses not on sponsorship by an employer but on the strength of a business proposal that meets the Home Office’s innovation requirements.
1. What the Innovator Founder Visa Is
The visa is designed for entrepreneurs who wish to establish a new business in the UK. Applicants must demonstrate that their proposed venture is innovative, viable, and scalable. This means that the business must introduce something new or significantly different to the UK market, must have a realistic chance of success, and must have potential to grow and create jobs.
By combining elements of the previous visa categories, the Innovator Founder visa provides a single, clear route for entrepreneurs. Unlike the old Innovator visa, there is no set minimum investment requirement, removing a barrier that excluded many viable business ideas in the past.
2. Key Features of the Route
The Innovator Founder visa is distinct from other business immigration routes because of its specific criteria and permissions:
- It requires endorsement from an authorised endorsing body before applying.
- Applicants must commit to working primarily on the endorsed business.
- There is no fixed minimum investment requirement, but applicants must show access to sufficient resources to deliver the business plan.
- The visa is initially granted for 3 years, with the possibility of extension or early settlement if endorsement conditions are met.
- Dependants, such as partners and children under 18, can be included in the application.
These features ensure that the visa supports genuine entrepreneurs who have the capacity to contribute positively to the UK’s economy and business landscape.
3. Eligible Applicants
The Innovator Founder visa is open to individuals both outside and inside the UK. Applicants can apply from abroad or switch from certain other visa categories if they are already in the UK. Common switchers include those on Student visas or Skilled Worker visas who meet the eligibility requirements and secure endorsement.
Applicants must be at least 18 years old, and they must meet English language and financial maintenance requirements. Importantly, dependants of applicants are also eligible to apply, giving entrepreneurial families the ability to relocate together under one immigration route.
Section Summary
The Innovator Founder visa exists to attract ambitious entrepreneurs with fresh and scalable business ideas. It is characterised by its endorsement requirement, its focus on innovation, and its pathway to settlement. With no set investment threshold and eligibility for dependants, it provides a flexible yet carefully regulated option for those seeking to establish themselves and their businesses in the UK.
Section B: Eligibility & Endorsement Criteria
To qualify for the Innovator Founder visa, applicants must meet strict eligibility requirements, with the endorsement process forming the central part of the route. The endorsement verifies that the business is innovative, viable, and scalable, ensuring only high-potential ventures gain entry to the UK market.
1. Endorsement Requirement
Before applying for the visa, an applicant must obtain endorsement from an approved endorsing body. These bodies are authorised by the Home Office to assess business proposals against the criteria of innovation, viability, and scalability.
Endorsing bodies do more than approve initial applications. They are required to monitor the progress of endorsed businesses through regular “check‑in” reviews, typically at 12, 24, and 36 months. This means that entrepreneurs must actively demonstrate ongoing development of their business plan, not just at the application stage but throughout their time in the UK.
If the business fails to meet development expectations, or if the entrepreneur is not actively engaged in the venture, the endorsement may be withdrawn. Loss of endorsement can jeopardise visa status, underscoring the need for ongoing compliance with endorsement conditions.
2. Business Plan Standards
The business plan lies at the heart of the application. It must convincingly demonstrate that the proposed venture is:
- Innovative – the product, service, or business model must introduce something new or significantly different to the UK market.
- Viable – the applicant must show they have the skills, knowledge, and resources to deliver the business successfully.
- Scalable – the venture should have the potential to grow beyond a small operation, with prospects for job creation and wider market impact.
Applicants are expected to present a clear and professional business plan, supported by financial forecasts, evidence of market research, and a credible explanation of how the venture will be established and expanded.
3. English Language & Financial Requirements
Alongside endorsement, applicants must satisfy the Home Office’s general requirements. This includes:
- English language requirement – Applicants must prove English proficiency to at least CEFR Level B2 in reading, writing, speaking, and listening. This can be met by nationality, academic qualifications taught in English, or passing an approved test.
- Financial maintenance – Applicants must demonstrate they can support themselves without recourse to public funds. This usually involves showing access to a specified level of personal savings held for a minimum period before applying. However, applicants who have been lawfully living in the UK for at least 12 months at the time of their application are exempt from this requirement. Dependants must still show maintenance funds separately.
Section Summary
Eligibility for the Innovator Founder visa rests on securing endorsement, supported by a credible business plan that meets innovation, viability, and scalability standards. In addition, applicants must meet English language and financial maintenance requirements. Together, these measures ensure that only serious and capable entrepreneurs are admitted under this route, while providing safeguards for the Home Office and endorsing bodies overseeing the system.
Section C: Application Process & Costs
Applying for the Innovator Founder visa requires careful preparation. The process begins with securing endorsement and proceeds through a series of steps involving document preparation, application submission, and payment of fees. Employers and HR directors supporting applicants should understand the key stages and associated costs to avoid delays or refusals.
1. How to Apply
The first step is obtaining endorsement from an authorised endorsing body. Once endorsement has been secured, applicants can proceed with the visa application. The steps are as follows:
- Secure endorsement – Obtain a formal letter of endorsement from a Home Office-approved endorsing body.
- Prepare documentation – Collect supporting evidence, including the endorsement letter, business plan, English language proof, and financial maintenance evidence.
- Submit the application online – Applications must be made through the Home Office website. Applicants outside the UK must apply from their home country or country of lawful residence, while those inside the UK may be able to switch if they hold an eligible visa.
- Provide biometrics – Applicants must attend a visa application centre (outside the UK) or a UKVCAS service point (inside the UK) to provide fingerprints and a photo.
- Wait for decision – The Home Office assesses the application, typically within published processing times.
2. Fees & Immigration Health Surcharge
The Innovator Founder visa carries several costs:
- Home Office application fee – £1,191 for applications made outside the UK, or £1,486 if applying to switch or extend from inside the UK.
- Dependants – Each dependant must pay the same application fee as the main applicant.
- Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) – £1,035 per person per year, payable upfront for the length of the visa.
- Endorsing body fees – Some endorsing bodies charge applicants for assessing and monitoring their business proposals. Fees vary and are payable directly to the endorsing body.
These fees make the Innovator Founder visa one of the more expensive UK immigration routes, particularly for applicants relocating with dependants.
3. Processing Times & Common Issues
The Home Office aims to process Innovator Founder visa applications within 3 weeks for applications made outside the UK, and within 8 weeks for applications made inside the UK. However, these timelines can be affected by demand, complexity of the case, or the need for additional checks.
Common causes of delay or refusal include:
- Insufficient evidence of business plan innovation or scalability.
- Inadequate financial maintenance documentation.
- Failure to meet the English language requirement.
- Errors or inconsistencies in submitted information.
Applicants are strongly advised to ensure all requirements are fully addressed before submission to avoid costly reapplications.
Section Summary
The Innovator Founder visa application process is structured around endorsement, document submission, and payment of fees, with applicants also required to provide biometrics. While processing times are relatively short, refusals are common if eligibility and evidential requirements are not met. Employers and applicants alike must therefore prepare thoroughly, budgeting for both visa fees and the significant Immigration Health Surcharge.
Section D: Duration, Work Rights & ILR Pathway
The Innovator Founder visa is designed not only to allow entrepreneurs to establish their businesses in the UK but also to provide a pathway to permanent residence. Understanding the visa’s duration, permitted activities, and settlement rules is crucial for both applicants and the organisations that may work with them.
1. Visa Validity & Extensions
The Innovator Founder visa is initially granted for 3 years. Unlike other routes that may require continuous extensions, the visa allows applicants to apply for settlement (Indefinite Leave to Remain) once they have completed the 3-year period, provided they meet all the requirements.
Extensions are possible if settlement criteria are not yet met, but re-endorsement is required for every extension. This involves the endorsing body confirming that the business continues to meet the criteria of innovation, viability, and scalability, and that the applicant remains actively engaged in the day-to-day development of the venture.
2. Work & Business Activities
Visa holders must primarily focus on developing their endorsed business. They are permitted to:
- Work solely for their own business or businesses that are endorsed.
- Act as a director or be self-employed within the scope of the endorsed venture.
- Carry out secondary employment, provided it is skilled work at RQF Level 3 or above, and does not distract from their primary business obligations.
They are not permitted to take on low-skilled or casual employment outside of these restrictions. This ensures the visa route remains consistent with its objective of supporting innovative entrepreneurs rather than providing a general work permit.
3. Settlement (Indefinite Leave to Remain)
One of the main advantages of the Innovator Founder visa is the accelerated route to settlement. After 3 years, applicants can apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) if:
- Their endorsing body confirms the business continues to meet innovation, viability, and scalability requirements.
- At least two of the Home Office’s published success criteria for business development are met. Examples include:
- The business has created at least 10 full-time jobs for resident workers.
- The business has created at least 5 full-time jobs with an average salary of £25,000.
- The business has generated gross revenue of at least £1 million.
- The business has generated gross revenue of at least £500,000, with at least £100,000 from exporting overseas.
- The customer base has at least doubled within the 3-year period and is currently higher than the average for comparable UK businesses.
- They meet the general ILR requirements, including continuous residence, knowledge of life in the UK, and ongoing endorsement.
If ILR is granted, applicants gain permanent residence rights. This opens the door to eventual British citizenship, subject to further eligibility and residence requirements.
Section Summary
The Innovator Founder visa is structured to encourage long-term business establishment in the UK. With an initial 3-year duration, opportunities for extensions, and a direct pathway to settlement, it offers entrepreneurs a clear route to permanent residency. However, success depends on maintaining endorsement, demonstrating active involvement, and achieving measurable business milestones, making compliance with visa conditions an ongoing responsibility.
FAQs
Can I bring family members on the Innovator Founder visa?
Yes. Partners and children under 18 can apply as dependants. Each dependant must pay a separate application fee and Immigration Health Surcharge. They will have the right to live, work, and study in the UK, but they cannot access public funds.
Do I need a set investment amount to apply?
No. Unlike the old Innovator visa, there is no fixed minimum investment requirement. However, applicants must show that they have sufficient resources to deliver their business plan and meet the viability criteria set by the endorsing body.
What businesses qualify as “innovative”?
An innovative business is one that offers something original or significantly different to the UK market. This may involve new products, services, business models, or technologies. Replicating existing businesses or entering saturated markets without a clear innovation is unlikely to meet the criteria.
Can I switch to this visa from inside the UK?
Yes, but only if you hold an eligible visa, such as a Skilled Worker or Student visa. Applicants cannot switch from visit visas, short‑term visas, or immigration bail. The same endorsement requirement applies to in‑country applications.
How does endorsement renewal work?
Endorsements are monitored at 12, 24, and 36 months. To extend the visa or apply for ILR, the endorsing body must confirm that the business continues to meet innovation, viability, and scalability criteria and that the applicant remains actively involved in the venture. If progress is insufficient, endorsement can be withdrawn, which may affect visa status.
Conclusion
The Innovator Founder visa is a significant route for entrepreneurs looking to establish innovative businesses in the UK. It has been designed to encourage original, scalable, and viable ventures, while maintaining safeguards through the endorsement and monitoring system.
For applicants, the visa offers clear advantages: no fixed investment requirement, eligibility for dependants, and a direct pathway to settlement after only three years. For employers and HR directors, understanding this route is important when advising entrepreneurial staff, exploring business collaborations, or supporting founders seeking UK expansion.
The key to success lies in securing endorsement with a strong business plan, maintaining compliance with monitoring duties, and demonstrating measurable progress towards business growth. With careful preparation and ongoing engagement with endorsing bodies, the Innovator Founder visa provides a genuine opportunity for ambitious entrepreneurs to secure permanent residence while contributing to the UK economy.
Glossary
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Endorsement | Formal approval from an authorised endorsing body confirming the applicant’s business is innovative, viable, and scalable. |
| Endorsing Body | An organisation authorised by the Home Office to assess and monitor business proposals under the Innovator Founder visa route. |
| IHS (Immigration Health Surcharge) | A fee paid as part of the visa application granting access to the UK’s National Health Service. |
| ILR (Indefinite Leave to Remain) | A form of permanent residence in the UK, available after three years on the Innovator Founder visa if conditions are met. |
| Innovative | A business idea that introduces a new or significantly different product, service, or approach not already established in the UK market. |
| Scalable | A business model that has potential for growth, job creation, and impact in wider markets beyond a small-scale operation. |
| Viable | A realistic business proposal showing the entrepreneur has the skills, knowledge, and financial resources to succeed. |
Useful Links
| Resource | Link |
|---|---|
| GOV.UK – Innovator Founder visa guidance | https://www.gov.uk/innovator-founder-visa |
| GOV.UK – List of endorsing bodies | https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/endorsing-bodies-innovator-founder |
| DavidsonMorris – Innovator Founder Visa | https://www.davidsonmorris.com/innovator-founder-visa/ |
| Xpats.io – Innovator Founder Visa | https://www.xpats.io/innovator-founder-visa/ |
Author
Gill Laing is a qualified Legal Researcher & Analyst with niche specialisms in Law, Tax, Human Resources, Immigration & Employment Law.
Gill is a Multiple Business Owner and the Managing Director of Prof Services - a Marketing & Content Agency for the Professional Services Sector.
