INNOVATOR FOUNDER VISA

The Innovator Founder Visa is for entrepreneurs and experienced businesspersons seeking to set up a business in the UK. The applicants do not need to have any specific level of funds to invest in their proposed business, but must have an innovative, viable and scalable business idea, supported by a business plan, which has been approved by an endorsing body in the UK. 

Many of the endorsing bodies are universities, investment businesses, innovation hubs, business incubators, accelerator businesses, or business support services.

Applicants for an Innovator Founder Visa must have generated, or have significantly contributed to, their business idea.  Innovator Founders must also intend to have a key role in the day-to-day management and development of their business.

Innovator Founder visas are valid for 3 years and can lead directly to indefinite leave to remain in the UK at the end of this period.  

If you are interested in setting up a new business in the UK, or you own an existing UK business, you may also be eligible for a Skilled Worker visa via self-sponsorship, that is by being sponsored by your own UK company.

An applicant for entry clearance or permission to stay must be awarded 70 points from the table below, of which 50 must either be under the new business criteria or under the same business criteria, but not both.

• You are at least 18 years old.
• You have an endorsement letter from an eligible UK endorsing body that confirms that you have an innovative, viable and scalable business venture.
• Your endorsement letter was issued not more than 3 months before the date of your Innovator visa application.
• You have the ability and expertise to undertake business activity relating to your intended business idea.
• You are competent in the English language to at least CEFR Level B2 (equivalent to IELTS 5.5 in reading, writing, listening and speaking)
• If you are outside the UK or have been in the UK for less than 12 months, you have maintenance funds to support yourself and your dependent(s)
• Your application does not fall for refusal on general grounds for refusal.
• You have provided a TB (Tuberculosis) test certificate, if required.

 To qualify for indefinite leave to remain as an Innovator Founder you will need to satisfy that:

• You have been endorsed by an approved UK endorsing body that is satisfied that you have shown significant achievements judged against the business plan assessed in your previous endorsement, you are registered with Companies House as a Director or Member of your business, your business is active, trading and appears sustainable for at least the following 12 months and you have had an active key role in the day-to-day management and development of the business
• You satisfy at least two of the following:

o At least £50,000 has been invested into the business and actively spent furthering your business;

o The business has created the equivalent of at least 5 full-time jobs for settled workers, which have an average salary of at least £25,000 a year;

o The business has created the equivalent of at least 10 full-time jobs for resident workers with no average salary requirement;

o The number of customers has at least doubled within the most recent 3 years and is currently higher than the mean number of customers for other UK businesses offering comparable main products or services;

o The business has engaged in significant research and development activity and has applied for intellectual property protection in the UK;

o The business has generated a minimum annual gross revenue of £1 million in the last full year covered by its accounts;

o The business has generated a minimum annual gross revenue of £500,000 in the last full year covered by its accounts, with at least £100,000 from exporting overseas.

• You have spent not more than 180 days outside the UK in any rolling      12 month period during the 3 years prior to the date of application; and
• You have sufficient knowledge of the English language and Life in the UK.

Innovator Founder Visa applicants can bring their partner and any children under the age of 18 to the UK.

www.gov.uk/innovator-founder-visa

UK Immigration Rules

www.gov.uk/guidance/immigration-rules/immigration-rules-appendix-innovator-founder