The Innovator Founder visa allows overseas entrepreneurs to come to the UK to establish an innovative business — one that offers something genuinely distinct from what's already available on the market.
Formerly known simply as the "Innovator visa," this route replaced the Tier 1 (Entrepreneur) visa in March 2019. Since 13 April 2023, applicants are no longer required to show a minimum investment of £50,000, though they must still satisfy the endorsing body that they have sufficient, reliable funding for their venture.
The visa initially grants up to three years in the UK, with the option to apply for a further three-year extension. One of its most attractive features is the accelerated path to settlement: holders may become eligible for permanent residence after just three years, rather than the standard five years required under most other routes.
Eligibility Requirements
To succeed with an Innovator Founder visa application, applicants generally need to:
- Be aged 18 or over
- Intend to establish and run an innovative business in the UK
- Have their business or business idea endorsed
- Meet the English language requirement
- Have sufficient funds to support themselves in the UK
Business Plan
Securing endorsement starts with a carefully prepared business plan, covering an existing innovative business or a new business idea. The plan needs to demonstrate that the venture is:
- Innovative — an original, genuine proposal that clearly sets out how it will meet a new or existing market need, or create a competitive advantage
- Viable — showing a realistic prospect of success, supported by evidence of relevant experience, market knowledge, and business skills
- Scalable — with genuine potential to grow, create jobs, and expand into both domestic and international markets
Business Endorsement
Perhaps the most critical step in applying for this visa is securing endorsement for the business idea from an approved UK endorsing body. Current endorsing bodies include:
- Envestors Limited
- UK Endorsement Services
- Innovator International
- The Global Entrepreneurs Programme (GEP)
When assessing an application, endorsing bodies typically consider:
- Whether there's a genuine need for the business in the UK
- Whether the business offers something new within existing markets
- Whether adequate market research has been carried out
- Whether realistic, sustainable product goals are in place
- Whether there's a credible long-term plan for the venture
- Whether the business is likely to gain real traction
- Whether there's genuine potential for UK growth
Endorsement must be secured before applying for the visa, and exists to ensure only genuinely promising businesses progress to the application stage. The chosen endorsing body will explain its own process and provide the resources needed to apply. A successful endorsement results in a letter, which then forms part of the visa application.
English Language Requirement
Applicants must meet the English language requirement in one of the following ways:
- Demonstrating reading, writing, speaking, and comprehension to CEFR level B2, evidenced by an approved English test
- Holding a degree taught in English
- Being a national of an exempt country, including Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, the Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Canada, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, Malta, New Zealand, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago, or the USA
Sufficient Funds
Applicants must also show they have £1,270 held in their bank account for 28 days before applying, to demonstrate they can support themselves in the UK.
How to Apply
The general application process involves:
- Preparing a comprehensive business plan
- Applying for endorsement from an approved UK endorsing body
- Completing the relevant online application form once endorsed — the form differs depending on whether the applicant is switching from another visa within the UK or applying from abroad
- Verifying identity, either through a biometric appointment at a visa application centre (for a biometric residence permit) or via the "UK Immigration: ID Check" app
- Paying the application fee — £1,274 for applications made outside the UK, or £1,590 from within the UK, with the same fees applying to dependent family members
- Paying the Immigration Health Surcharge for the length of the visa (currently £1,035 per person, per year)
Decisions are typically issued within 3 weeks, though applicants will be informed if additional time is needed — for instance, where further evidence is requested or an interview is required.
Extending the Visa
A successful Innovator Founder visa grants up to three years in the UK to establish the intended business. Holders wishing to stay longer can apply to extend, with no limit on the number of extensions available.
Extensions are generally straightforward provided the applicant:
- Applies before their current visa expires
- Continues to meet the eligibility requirements met at the original grant
- Is still running their UK business, or has plans to establish a new one
The extension process involves:
- Completing the online application form
- Providing proof of identity, as with a new application
- Paying the application fee of £1,590
- Providing any documents requested by the Home Office
Extension applications typically take around 8 weeks to process, and applicants can continue running their business throughout this period.
Route to ILR
One of the standout benefits of the Innovator Founder visa is its accelerated path to Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR). Once granted, ILR allows permanent residence in the UK free of immigration control, with British citizenship becoming available a further year later.
To qualify for ILR under this route, applicants generally need to have lived and worked in the UK for three years, meeting requirements tied to their business's progress — designed to confirm that the business is genuine and being run as originally described. Key requirements include:
- Three years of UK residence specifically on the Innovator Founder visa — time spent on other visa types does not count
- No more than 180 days spent outside the UK in any 12-month period
- A new endorsement confirming the applicant has met the requirements for growing their business
- Passing the Life in the UK Test
- Applications can be submitted up to 28 days before becoming eligible
The ILR application fee for Innovator Founder visa holders is £3,029 per applicant, with decisions typically issued within six months.