What is the Innovator Founder visa?
The Innovator Founder visa allows entrepreneurs and experienced businesspersons to start and establish a fresh and original business in the UK.
You can apply for an Innovator Founder visa if:
You would like to set up and run an original, innovative business in the UK. Therefore, your business must be different from anything else on the current market.
Your business idea must be endorsed by an approved body, also known as an endorsing body. If you are joining an established entity, it must have received prior endorsement.
You must meet the eligibility requirements listed below.
Who is eligible for the Innovator Founder visa?
In order to be eligible for the Innovator Founder visa, you must be able to demonstrate that your business idea is:
New – You cannot join a business that is already trading, unless the business had received endorsement.
Innovative – Your business idea must be original and different from anything else on the market.
Scalable – Demonstrate, by way of business planning how the business will create jobs and expand into national and international markets.
Viable – With potential for growth.
You must be at least 18 years old on the date of application to apply for the Innovator Founder visa. An endorsing body will assess that your business idea meets the requirements.
70 Points
In order to demonstrate that your business meets the eligibility requirements you must be awarded 70 points from the categories listed below.
20 points are mandatory, the other 50 must either be under the ‘New Business’ criteria or the ‘Same Business’ criteria, but not both.
There are 3 point categories:
‘Mandatory’ points
‘New Business’ points
‘Same Business’ points
Mandatory for all applicants:
English language requirement – 10 points
Financial requirements – 10 points
New Business Points
Business Plans – 30 points
Business venture is innovative, viable and scalable – 20 points
Same Business
Applicant’s previous permission was in the Innovator Founder (including Innovator under Appendix Innovator of the rules before 13 April 2023), Start-up or Tier 1 (Graduate Entrepreneur) route and they are pursuing a business assessed by a Home Office approved endorsing body either for the previous endorsement or at a contact point during their last grant of leave – 10 points
Business is active, trading and sustainable and demonstrates significant achievements against the business plan – 20 points
Applicant is active in day-to-day management and development of business – 20 points
How do you apply for the Innovator Founder visa?
You apply for the Founder Innovator visa online on the official government website. As part of your application, you will need to prove your identity and provide all required documents.
Applicants must meet the following validity requirements:
You must provide a passport or other document which establishes your identity and nationality.
Be at least 18 years old at the time of the application.
You must have provided any required any biometrics.
Your endorsement letter must have been issued by the endorsing body no more than 3 months before the application date. If your endorsement is withdrawn by the endorsing body, your application will no longer be valid.
The Immigration Health Surcharge must have been be paid in full.
It is crucial to note that you do not need to be the sole founder of the business. It is possible to form part of an entrepreneurial partnership or team that shares the same business idea and plan. If so, you, and each member must secure individual endorsement and meet all the above requirements.
Find out how we can support your immigration journey on +44 (0) 203 488 1061 or info@thomaschaseimmigration.com.
How long can you stay in the UK?
You can stay in the UK on an Innovator Founder visa for 3 years if you have:
Come to the UK on an Innovator Founder visa.
Switch to the visa from another visa route while in the UK.
Once you have been granted an Innovator Founder visa, you will meet with an endorsing body twice to show that you are making progress with your business. and that you continue to meet the eligibility requirements.
You will need to meet with your endorsing body twice:
After 12 months.
After 24 months.
If your endorsement is withdrawn by your endorsing body, your visa may be cut short. If you would like to remain in the UK for a longer period of time, you must re-apply with a new endorsement before your current visa expires.
Is there a route to settlement?
Yes. The Innovator Founder visa offers a fast track to settlement. You may be able to apply for settlement once you have been in the UK for 3 years and providing that the settlement requirements are met in full.
Can you bring dependents?
Yes. You can sponsor your partner and children to join you as family dependents of the Innovator Founder visa. Dependents must pay the Immigration Health surcharge fee in full at the time of their applications.
How long does it take to get a decision?
The standard processing time will depend on if the application an application for entry clearance is submitted from outside of the UK, or if you are making an application from within the UK to switch into the Innovator Founder visa from another qualifying visa category.
Once you have applied online, paid the Immigration Health Surcharge and provided all of your documents, you will usually get a decision on your visa application within:
3 weeks if you are outside of the UK.
8 weeks if you are outside of the UK.
How much does it cost?
How much you pay for an application depends on where you apply from:
It costs £1,191 per person if you apply from outside of the UK.
It costs £1,485 per person if you apply to extend or switch your visa in the UK.
Immigration Health Surcharge
You must pay the Immigration Health Surcharge as part of your application.
What you can and cannot do on an Innovator Founder visa?
You can:
Set up businesses.
Work for your business.
Do work outside of your business as long as it is skilled work.
Travel overseas and re-enter the UK.
Sponsor your partner and children as dependents.
Apply for settlement (indefinite leave to remain) after living in the UK for 3 years if you meet the eligibility requirements.
You cannot:
Work as a professional sportsperson.
Apply for State benefits or a State pension.
Can you switch to an Innovator Founder visa?
If you hold a qualifying visa in the UK, you may switch into the Innovator Founder visa route.
However, switching into this route is not possible if you fall within one of the following:
Short-term student.
Visitor.
Parent of a Child Student.
Seasonal Worker
Domestic worker in a private household
Immigration Bail
Outside of the Immigration Rules
You can switch to the Innovator Founder visa if you are a student who has completed their course or completed the first 12 months of your PHD or Doctorate of Philosophy.
Written by Mya Alghali
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If you would like assistance with applying for an Innovator Founder visa, Thomas Chase Immigration can help. Our processes are tried and tested. We offer an individual touch when assisting you and presenting the matter to UKVI. We also offer consultations of you would like to discuss your eligibility and options.
