INNOVATOR FOUNDER VISA
Innovator Founder Visa
The Innovator Founder visa is for entrepreneurs who want to set up and run an innovative business in the UK. It’s designed for people who have come up with an original business idea, or made a significant contribution to one, and who will play an active part in running it.
Unlike work visas, it doesn’t need a job offer or an employer to sponsor you. Instead, an approved endorsing body has to assess your business idea and confirm it’s innovative, viable and scalable. You’ll also need to meet the Home Office’s own immigration requirements.
The route replaced the old Innovator visa and can lead to Indefinite Leave to Remain after three years.
Who can apply?
You’ll normally need to show that you:
- are 18 or over
- came up with the business idea or made a significant contribution to it
- will be actively involved in running the business day to day
- have been endorsed by an approved endorsing body
- meet the English language and financial requirements
- meet the general immigration suitability requirements
You can be the sole founder or a key member of a founding team. The visa isn’t meant for investors who provide money but don’t take part in the business.
If you’re already on the Innovator Founder route, or on certain older routes, you may be able to apply to continue with the same endorsed business. Different endorsement criteria apply in that case.
What makes a business innovative, viable and scalable?
Your business plan is at the heart of the application. A good commercial idea won’t necessarily qualify unless it meets these three tests.
Innovation
Your business needs a genuine, original plan that meets a gap in the market or gives you a clear advantage over competitors. You should be able to explain what sets you apart and back that up with evidence. Opening a standard business in a crowded market is unlikely to be enough on its own.
Viability
Your plan has to be realistic and achievable with the resources you have. The endorsing body will look at your skills, experience and knowledge of the market, and at how you’ll actually build the business. Financial forecasts should be based on sensible assumptions, not optimistic guesses.
Scalability
Your business needs clear potential to grow, including plans to create jobs and expand into national or international markets. A new business doesn’t have to employ lots of people or trade overseas straight away, but the plan has to show how that growth could realistically happen. An innovative idea with no believable growth plan can still be turned down.
Getting endorsed
Before you can apply for the visa, you need an endorsement from an approved endorsing body. This is a separate process from the visa application itself, which the Home Office decides.
For a new business, the endorsing body looks at your role in creating the business plan, how involved you’ll be in running it, and the evidence for its innovation, viability and scalability. It will also check that you’re suitable to be endorsed and that your business funding is legitimate.
Your endorsement letter must be issued no more than three months before you apply for the visa. Being endorsed doesn’t guarantee your visa will be granted, because you still have to meet the immigration requirements.
Keeping your endorsement
Once you have your visa, you’ll need to stay in touch with your endorsing body. You’ll have at least two progress meetings during your three years, normally at around 12 and 24 months, to check how the business is doing against your plan.
If the endorsing body decides you no longer meet the requirements, it can withdraw your endorsement, and that can affect your right to stay in the UK.
English language and money
English
You’ll need English at level B2 in reading, writing, speaking and listening. You can usually prove this with an approved English test, an eligible qualification or another accepted method. Some people are exempt.
Personal savings
If you’re applying from outside the UK, you’ll usually need to show at least £1,270 in personal savings, held for 28 days in a row. The same applies if you’re switching or extending from inside the UK and have been here for less than 12 months. If you’ve been in the UK with permission for 12 months or more, you won’t need to show this. Money set aside for your business can’t be counted as personal savings.
Do you need £50,000 to apply?
No. There’s no fixed investment amount for the Innovator Founder visa. The £50,000 figure comes from the old Innovator visa and no longer applies.
You will need to show the endorsing body that you have enough money to deliver your business plan and explain where it comes from. How much that is depends on the business and what it will cost to get it going.
How much does it cost?
The visa application fee is £1,357 from outside the UK, or £1,693 if you’re extending or switching from inside the UK. You’ll also pay the endorsing body £1,000 for the initial assessment and £500 for each progress meeting, plus the Immigration Health Surcharge of £1,035 for each year of your visa.
Fees correct at October 2026. You can check the latest Home Office fees on GOV.UK.
How long does a decision take?
Usually around three weeks if you apply from outside the UK, and eight weeks from inside the UK.
Can you work outside your business?
Yes, within limits. As well as working in your own business, you can take other employment in a skilled job at RQF level 3 or above. You can’t work as a professional sportsperson. Any other job doesn’t change the requirement to stay actively involved in running your endorsed business.
How long does the visa last?
The visa is normally granted for three years. You can extend it as many times as you like, as long as you still meet the requirements and get a new endorsement.
If you’re continuing an existing endorsed business, the criteria are different from those for a new business. You’ll need to show the business has made good progress and that you’re still actively running it.
Can your partner and children join you?
Usually, yes. Your partner and children under 18 can apply to join you as dependants. They’ll each need to make their own application and meet the relationship and other requirements, and extra financial requirements may apply.
Your family won’t automatically get settlement at the same time as you. Their applications have their own requirements, including how long they’ve lived in the UK.
Can you get Indefinite Leave to Remain after three years?
You can currently apply for ILR after three years on the Innovator Founder route, but it isn’t automatic. You’ll need a new endorsement confirming your business has made enough progress. The business must meet at least two of the performance criteria in the Immigration Rules, which cover things like investment, research and development, revenue, customer growth and job creation.
You’ll also need to meet the continuous residence and Life in the UK requirements. Time spent on other visas doesn’t automatically count towards the three years.
It’s worth checking your position well before your visa runs out. If you’re not ready for settlement, an extension may be an option. The government has proposed changes to the settlement rules, so check with us before you plan around a date.
Frequently asked questions
The route is mainly for setting up a new innovative business. If you’re continuing a business that was endorsed under an eligible visa route, you may qualify under the same-business criteria. You can’t usually use the new-business criteria just to join a business that’s already trading. It depends on the history of the business and your role in it.
Yes, from many visa types, as long as you meet the Innovator Founder requirements. You can’t switch from a visitor visa, and students have to meet extra conditions. Check your eligibility before your current visa runs out.
Yes. Your visa application must be backed by a valid endorsement from an approved endorsing body.
Yes. A business can have more than one founder, and each eligible member of the team can apply separately. Each person must show their own contribution and involvement and meet the requirements themselves. There are extra rules if more than one founder wants to rely on the same business results for settlement.
It depends on the circumstances. Missing your original forecasts doesn’t automatically mean you’ll lose your endorsement, but the endorsing body must still be satisfied that you meet the requirements. If your endorsement is withdrawn it can affect your visa, so get advice on your options.
Possibly. You’ll need a new endorsement and to meet the other requirements. The progress of your business and your continuing role in it will be key.
Innovator Founder visa advice from Fusco Browne
An Innovator Founder application has two parts: getting your business idea endorsed, and meeting the immigration rules. Being endorsed is essential, but it doesn’t replace the need to show you meet the personal requirements.
We can advise on whether you’re eligible, what the endorsing body will be looking for, and the evidence you’ll need for your visa application. We also help existing visa holders with extensions, changes in circumstances and applications for Indefinite Leave to Remain.
If you’re planning to set up an innovative business in the UK, call us for a free initial assessment.