Innovator
Overview
You may apply for an Innovator Founder visa if you wish to establish and manage an innovative business in the UK. Your business idea must be unique and unlike anything currently available in the market. To qualify, your business or business proposal must be endorsed by an approved endorsing body, and you must meet all other eligibility requirements.
This route has replaced the former Innovator visa.
Eligibility
To be eligible, you must demonstrate that your business idea is:
- New– you cannot join or take over an existing trading business.
- Innovative– your idea must be original and different from what already exists in the market.
- Viable– the business must show potential for sustained growth.
- Scalable– you must provide evidence of structured planning that includes creating jobs and expanding into national and international markets.
Your business proposal must be assessed and endorsed by an approved endorsing body, which will confirm that it meets the required criteria.
Knowledge of English
You must demonstrate the ability to speak, read, write, and understand English. In most cases, you will be required to provide proof of your English language proficiency as part of your visa application.
How long you can stay on an Innovator Founder visa
- Initial stay
- When you are granted an Innovator Founder visa, you can stay in the UK for up to 3 years.
- This applies whether you enter the UK directly on this visa or switch from another visa category while already in the UK.
- Progress checks
- You must meet with your endorsing bodyafter 12 months and again after 24 months.
- These meetings are to confirm that you are making sufficient progress with your business.
- If your endorsement is withdrawn at any point, your visa may be shortened (curtailed).
- Extension of stay
- Before your current visa expires, you can apply to extend it for another 3 years, provided you still meet the requirements and hold a valid endorsement.
- There is no limitto the number of extensions you can apply for.
- Settlement (Indefinite Leave to Remain)
- You may be eligible to apply for settlement in the UK(also called indefinite leave to remain) after you have lived in the UK for 3 continuous years on this visa.
- Settlement allows you to stay permanently in the UK without needing to extend your visa further.
Processing Times
- Outside the UK: Decision usually within 3 weeksafter completing biometrics & submitting documents.
- Inside the UK: Decision usually within 8 weeks.
- Priority service: You may be able to pay extra for a faster decision.
Visa Application Fees
- Applying from outside the UK: £1,274 per person
Extending or switching inside the UK: £1,590 per person
Endorsement Costs
- Initial Endorsement: £1,000(paid to the endorsing body).
- Progress Check Meetings: £500 each(minimum 2 required = £1,000 total).
- These fees are separate from visa application fees and are paid directly to the endorsing body.
Expect to pay:
- Visa fee (£1,274–£1,590 per applicant, depending on location)
- Endorsement fee (£1,000)
- Progress check fees (£1,000 total across 2 meetings)
What You Can Do
With an Innovator Founder visa, you are permitted to:
- Establish and manage one or multiple businesses.
- Work for your own business as a directoror be self-employed in a business partnership.
- Take on employment outside your business, provided it requires a qualification at RQF Level 3(A-level equivalent) or above.
- Bring your partner and childrenas dependants, if eligible.
- Travel abroadand return to the UK freely.
- Apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR)after 3 years if you meet settlement requirements.
What You Cannot Do
On this visa, you are not allowed to:
- Apply for or claim most public funds (benefits).
- Work as a professional sportsperson or sports coach.
If your application is approved, you’ll receive a full list of permissions and restrictions along with your visa grant.
Your Partner and Children (Dependants)
Eligibility
Your partner and children can apply to join you or stay in the UK as your dependants if:
- Their application is successful.
- Their visa will usually end on the same dateas yours.
- If parents have different visa expiry dates, a child’s visa will end on the earlier date.
Who Qualifies as a Dependant
- Partner: husband, wife, civil partner, or unmarried partner.
- Children under 18: including those born in the UK during your stay.
- Children over 18: only if they already have permission to stay in the UK as your dependant.
Partner Requirements
You must prove one of the following:
- You are in a civil partnership or marriagerecognised in the UK.
- You have lived together in a relationship for at least 2 years.
- You have been in a committed relationship for at least 2 years, but cannot live together due to work, study, or cultural reasons.
If you do not live together, you must show evidence of ongoing commitment, for example:
- Regular communication.
- Financial support.
- Joint care of children.
- Spending time together (holidays, events).
Child Requirements
Your child must:
- Live with you, unless they live away for full-time education (boarding school/university).
- Not be married or in a civil partnership.
Evidence of their address may include:
- Bank statement or credit card bill.
- Driving licence.
- NHS registration.
- Official university/college letter.
Financial Requirements
In addition to £1,270 required for yourself, you must show funds for each dependant:
- £285for your partner.
- £315for one child.
- £200for each additional child.
Example:
If applying with your partner and one child, you must show £1,870 in funds:
- £1,270 (yourself) + £285 (partner) + £315 (child).
This ensures that both you and your dependants can support yourselves in the UK without relying on public funds.
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