Innovator Founder Visa UK – Start and Grow an Innovative Business
At Fard Solicitors, we specialise in guiding entrepreneurs through the Innovator Founder visa process in the UK.
If you want to set up and run a genuinely innovative business in Britain, the Innovator Founder visa UK route may be the right option for you. This visa is designed for entrepreneurs with original, scalable business ideas that can create jobs and expand into national and international markets.
At Fard Solicitors, our experienced immigration team supports founders, start-ups and investors through every stage of the Innovator Founder visa process – from securing endorsement to applying for settlement.
What Is the Innovator Founder Visa?
The Innovator Founder visa (previously called the Innovator visa) is a UK work and business visa for people who:
want to set up and run a new, innovative business in the UK, and
can show that their idea is different from anything already on the market, and
have an approved UK endorsing body confirming that the idea meets the visa requirements.
You can use this route to launch a brand-new venture or to continue building a business that has already been endorsed under an earlier visa.
Who Can Apply for an Innovator Founder Visa?
To qualify, you must satisfy both business and personal requirements.
Business requirements
Your business or business idea must be:
New – you cannot simply join a company that is already trading.
Innovative – your idea must be original and clearly different from competitors.
Viable – it has realistic prospects of success and growth.
Scalable – you must show credible plans for creating jobs and expanding into UK-wide and international markets.
An endorsing body will assess your business plan and, if satisfied, issue an endorsement letter. This is essential for your visa application.
Personal requirements
You must also:
be at least 18 years old
meet the English language requirement (usually at level B1 or higher)
show you have enough personal savings to support yourself in the UK
meet the general immigration and good character requirements
How Long Can You Stay on an Innovator Founder Visa?
If your application is successful, you can stay in the UK for 3 years if you:
come to the UK on an Innovator Founder visa, or
switch into this route from another visa from inside the UK.
During this time you will normally have scheduled check-ins with your endorsing body after 12 months and 24 months to demonstrate that your business is progressing in line with the endorsed plan.
If your endorsement is withdrawn, your visa may be cut short.
To remain in the UK beyond your initial grant, you must obtain a new endorsement and apply again before your visa expires.
Extending your stay
You can apply to extend your Innovator Founder visa for another 3 years when it is due to expire. There is no limit to the number of times you can extend, as long as you continue to meet the requirements and hold a valid endorsement.
Settlement (Indefinite Leave to Remain)
You may be able to apply for settlement (ILR) after 3 continuous years in the UK on the Innovator Founder visa, if you and your business meet the settlement criteria.
What You Can and Cannot Do on an Innovator Founder Visa
You can:
set up one or more businesses in the UK
work for your own business, either as a director or self-employed partner
undertake additional work outside your business, provided the role is at least at UK RQF level 3 (roughly A-level standard)
bring your partner and children to the UK as dependants, if they qualify
travel in and out of the UK freely during your visa
apply for indefinite leave to remain after 3 years if all requirements are met
You cannot:
access most UK benefits or public funds
work as a professional sportsperson or sports coach
Your decision letter will confirm the full list of permissions and restrictions that apply to you.
How Fard Solicitors Can Help With Your Innovator Founder Visa
The Innovator Founder visa UK route involves detailed business planning, strict endorsement requirements and complex immigration rules. A small mistake or unclear explanation can lead to refusal or delays.
At Fard Solicitors, our award-nominated immigration team can:
review your business concept and advise if it fits the Innovator Founder criteria
guide you in preparing a strong business plan for endorsement
help you select and approach a suitable endorsing body
prepare and submit your visa, extension or settlement applications
assist your partner and children with dependant applications
advise you on long-term strategy, including switching from other routes and planning for ILR
We work with entrepreneurs in the UK and worldwide from our offices in Canary Wharf (London) and Camberley (Surrey), handling straightforward and highly complex cases.
FAQs
Typically, decisions are made within 3 weeks for applications from outside the UK and 8 weeks for applications from within the UK. Options for expedited processing are available.
£1,274 per applicant if applying outside the UK - £1,590 per applicant if applying inside the UK (extensions or switching)
Yes. You must pay the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS), usually £1,035 per year of your visa.
For a 3-year Innovator Founder visa this usually means around £3,105 per adult (fees may change)
Holders can set up and work for their business, do skilled work outside their business, bring dependants, travel abroad and return, and apply for permanent settlement in the UK after 3 years.
You cannot work as a professional sportsperson, access public funds, or the State Pension.
Your business idea must be new, innovative, viable, and scalable. You also need to meet the English language requirement and have sufficient personal savings.
An endorsing body must assess and endorse your business idea. Fard Solicitors can guide you through this process.
You need £1,270 held for 28 days, BUT only if:
You are applying for the first time, OR
You are extending/switching and have been in the UK less than 12 months.
If you have been in the UK 12 months or more, you do not need to show this.
Yes, your partner and children can apply as dependants if they're eligible.
Dependents need additional funds (£285 for a partner, £315 for one child, £200 for each additional child). You must prove your relationship and their financial self-sufficiency.
At Fard Solicitors, our award-winning team, including a Lawyer of the Year finalist, offers expert guidance on the Innovator Founder visa process, ensuring a seamless and successful application experience.
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