Launch Your Innovative Businessin the UK
Entrepreneur visa guidance with 98%+ success rate. Build your scalable business with endorsement support and settle in just 3 years.
£50k investment (can be waived if established/funded). Work and study alongside your business. Fastest settlement route: ILR in just 3 years with full family work rights.
*Success rates based on properly prepared cases. UKVI makes final decisions on all applications.
Free Innovator Founder Assessment
Expert entrepreneur visa advice • Same-day callback • Completely confidential
What is the Innovator Founder Visa?
The Innovator Founder Visa is designed for experienced entrepreneurs with innovative, viable, and scalable business ideas. Launch or scale your UK business with endorsement support and settle in just 3 years - one of the fastest settlement routes available.
£50k Investment (Can Be Waived)
£50,000 minimum investment required, BUT can be waived if business already established/funded by third parties.
Endorsement Required
Get endorsement from approved body (Envestors, UKEAS, GEP, etc.) confirming your business is innovative, viable, scalable.
3 Years to Settlement
One of UK's FASTEST settlement routes. ILR after just 3 years if you meet business milestones. Citizenship after 4 years.
Work & Study Rights
Work for other employers (up to 20hrs/week) and study any course alongside running your innovative business.
Family Work Rights
Bring partner and children with FULL work rights from day one. They can work any job, any hours, unrestricted.
3+3 Years Duration
Initial 3-year visa, extendable for 3 more years. Total 6 years possible, but most apply for ILR after 3 years.
Perfect for Experienced Entrepreneurs
The Innovator Founder Visa replaced the previous Innovator visa in Loading..., offering more flexibility and a clearer path to settlement. It's designed for entrepreneurs with innovative, viable, and scalable business ideas who want to establish or scale their business in the UK. Unlike the Start-up Visa (for first-time entrepreneurs), the Innovator Founder route requires proven entrepreneurial experience and leads directly to settlement after just 3 years - one of the fastest routes available. You must secure endorsement from an approved body confirming your business meets the three criteria. The £50,000 investment can be waived if your business is already trading or has received third-party funding, making it accessible for established entrepreneurs and funded startups.
Who Can Apply?
Experienced entrepreneurs with innovative, viable, scalable business ideas
Endorsement from approved UK endorsing body (Envestors, UKEAS, GEP, Innovator International)
English at B2 level (IELTS 5.5 or equivalent - intermediate level)
£50,000 investment funds (can be waived if business established/funded)
£1,270 maintenance funds held for 28 consecutive days
Genuine entrepreneur with credible business plan and financial projections
Visa Benefits
3 years initial visa, extendable for 3 more years (total 6 years possible)
Apply for ILR after just 3 years (meet 2 of 7 business milestones)
Work for other employers (up to 20hrs/week) alongside your business
Study any course at any level without restrictions
Bring family with full work rights (partner and children under 18)
British citizenship possible after just 4 years total (ILR at 3 + citizenship at 4)
Innovator Founder Visa Requirements
Meeting these requirements ensures your application success. Our experts guide you through endorsement, business planning, and full application preparation.
Endorsement from Approved Body
You must get an endorsement letter from one of four Home Office approved endorsing bodies confirming your business is innovative, viable, and scalable.
Approved endorsing bodies:
- Envestors Limited (fintech, tech, innovation sectors)
- UK Endorsement Services (UKEAS) (all business sectors)
- Global Entrepreneurs Programme (GEP) (tech startups)
- The Innovator International (international entrepreneurs)
Endorsement Process
Endorsement takes 4-8 weeks and costs £1,000-£1,500 + VAT. Requires business plan, financial projections, market research, and interview. We help match you with the right endorsing body and prepare your application for approval.
Innovative, Viable, Scalable
Your business must meet ALL three mandatory criteria assessed by the endorsing body:
INNOVATIVE
Original business plan with genuine innovation or competitive advantage. New to UK market even if available overseas. Shows clear differentiator and solves real problem in new way.
VIABLE
You have necessary skills, experience, knowledge to succeed. Business has realistic market opportunities with credible path to profitability. Detailed financial projections required.
SCALABLE
Potential for significant growth beyond UK. Can create jobs for settled workers. National or international expansion potential. Not limited to single location or personal services.
Strong Sectors
Technology, fintech, SaaS, healthcare innovation, cleantech, export businesses, and digital platforms typically meet all three criteria easily.
£50,000 Investment Funds
You must have access to at least £50,000 investment funds to invest in your UK business. HOWEVER, this requirement can be WAIVED in certain circumstances.
Investment sources (if required):
- Your own funds held in bank for 90 days before applying
- Joint funds with partner/spouse (if applying together)
- Third-party investment (venture capital, angel investors, accelerators)
- Government grants or competition prize money
Investment Can Be WAIVED
If your business is already established and trading, or has received investment from third parties (VCs, accelerators, grants), the £50k requirement can be waived by endorsing body. Many successful applicants have £0 personal investment requirement.
English Language (B2 Level)
You must demonstrate English at B2 level (CEFR) - equivalent to IELTS 5.5 in all four skills. This is INTERMEDIATE level - higher than basic visas.
Ways to prove English:
- Pass approved English test (IELTS 5.5, Trinity ISE II, PTE Academic)
- Degree taught in English (bachelor's or higher from UK or approved country)
- National of majority English-speaking country (USA, Canada, Australia, etc.)
B2 Level Explained
B2 means you can have fluent conversations about your business, understand complex business discussions, write detailed correspondence, and present business plans clearly. If you completed a UK or US degree, you're likely exempt from testing.
Required Documents
A complete document package ensures fast approval. Here's everything you need for your Innovator Founder Visa application.
Identity Documents
- Valid passport or travel document
- Previous passports (travel history)
- Birth certificate
- Marriage/civil partnership certificate (if bringing family)
Endorsement Documents
- Endorsement letter from approved body (valid 3 months)
- Endorsement reference number
- Business plan submitted to endorsing body
- Endorsement assessment report
Business Documents
- Detailed business plan (innovative, viable, scalable)
- Financial projections (3-5 years)
- Market research and competitive analysis
- Companies House registration (if already incorporated)
Financial Evidence
- £50,000 investment funds (if not waived) - 90 days bank statements
- Third-party investment agreements (if £50k waived)
- £1,270 maintenance funds (28 consecutive days)
- Business bank account statements
English Language Proof
- IELTS 5.5 (or Trinity ISE II, PTE Academic B2), or
- Degree taught in English (with confirmation letter), or
- Passport from exempt country (USA, Canada, Australia, etc.)
- NARIC confirmation if degree from non-UK institution
Experience Evidence
- CV showing entrepreneurial experience
- Previous business registrations (if applicable)
- Qualification certificates relevant to business
- Reference letters from previous employers/investors
Expert Endorsement & Application Support
Our business immigration specialists will guide you through the entire process: matching you with the right endorsing body, preparing your business plan and financial projections, reviewing all documents, and ensuring your application meets Home Office standards. We have a 98%+ success rate for Innovator Founder applications.
Application Process
Follow these 7 steps to successfully apply for your Innovator Founder Visa. We guide you through each stage from business plan to visa approval.
Develop Your Business Plan
Create a comprehensive business plan demonstrating your business is innovative (original/new to UK), viable (you have skills to succeed with realistic market), and scalable (growth potential, job creation, national/international expansion). Include detailed financial projections for 3-5 years, market research, competitive analysis, and growth strategy. Must show genuine innovation and clear competitive advantage.
Apply to Endorsing Body
Submit your application to one of the four Home Office approved endorsing bodies (Envestors, UKEAS, GEP, or Innovator International). Each has different sector specialisms and assessment processes. Include business plan, financial projections, evidence of entrepreneurial experience, and personal statement. Pay endorsement fee (£1,000-£1,500 + VAT). Attend interview with endorsing body (typically virtual). Process takes 4-8 weeks.
Receive Endorsement Letter
If approved, receive endorsement letter from endorsing body confirming your business is innovative, viable, and scalable. The letter includes endorsement reference number valid for 3 months - you must submit your visa application within this timeframe. If investment requirement is waived (business already established/funded), this will be stated in endorsement letter.
Gather Supporting Documents
Collect all required documents: passport, English language certificate (IELTS 5.5 B2 or equivalent), financial evidence (£50k investment funds for 90 days OR third-party investment agreements if waived, plus £1,270 maintenance for 28 days), business plan, entrepreneurial experience evidence, TB certificate (if from listed country). All non-English documents must be professionally translated.
Complete Online Application & Pay Fees
Submit application through UK government website using your endorsement reference number. Pay application fee: £1,274 (from outside UK) or £1,590 (switching/extending inside UK). Pay Immigration Health Surcharge: £3,105 (£1,035 × 3 years). If bringing family, pay same fees for each dependent. Total for main applicant: £4,379 (outside UK) or £4,695 (inside UK), plus endorsement fees.
Attend Biometric Appointment & Submit Documents
Book and attend biometric appointment at visa application center (if applying from outside UK) or UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services (UKVCAS) center (if inside UK). Provide fingerprints and photo. Submit passport and all supporting documents. Pay biometrics fee (£19.20). Use "keep your passport" service if needed (to continue travel while processing).
Receive Decision & Launch Your UK Business
Processing time: 3 weeks (from outside UK) or 8 weeks (from inside UK). Once approved, receive 3-year visa. Travel to UK (if outside) and start building your business. Register with Companies House, open business bank account, begin operations. Attend regular check-ins with endorsing body (6, 12, 24 months). After 3 years, apply for ILR if you've met 2 of 7 business milestones. British citizenship possible after 4 years total.
Timeline Summary
4-8 weeks
Endorsement process
3-8 weeks
Visa processing
3 years
To ILR settlement
Total timeline: 3-4 months from starting business plan to UK arrival. One of the fastest settlement routes - ILR in just 3 years!
Frequently Asked Questions
Get answers to common questions about the Innovator Founder Visa. Our specialists are here to help with your business immigration journey.
Speak to Innovator Founder Specialist
Get expert advice about endorsement, business planning, investment requirements, and settlement milestones for entrepreneurs.
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98%+ Success Rate for Innovator Founder Visas
Our specialist knowledge of business immigration and endorsement requirements has helped over 2,850 entrepreneurs successfully obtain Innovator Founder Visas and achieve settlement with the Loading... requirements. We guide you from business plan to British citizenship.
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Meet the Specialists Behind Your Success
Our experienced team of immigration professionals is dedicated to helping you navigate the UK visa process with confidence.
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Legal Assistant
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Immigration Consultant
With decades of combined experience, our team has successfully helped thousands of families reunite in the UK.
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