The Innovator Founder Visa is designed for entrepreneurs wishing to establish an innovative, viable, and scalable business in the UK, offering a direct route to Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) after three years.
Introduced in April 2023, this visa replaced the former Innovator and Start-up visas, allowing experienced founders to bring an existing business or launch a new one that meets Home Office innovation standards.
There is no minimum investment requirement under the new rules, but applicants must secure endorsement from an approved UK endorsing body and show they have sufficient personal funds to support themselves and their venture. The UK Innovator Founder Visa also enables dependants to join and provides a pathway to settlement and British citizenship.
For entrepreneurs establishing an innovative, viable, and scalable business in the UK.
No fixed minimum — applicants must show adequate personal and business funds.
Valid for 3 years with unlimited extensions possible.
Qualifies for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) after 3 years.
The UK Innovator Founder Visa is tailored for experienced entrepreneurs who want to establish an innovative, viable, and scalable business in the UK. It’s ideal for those aiming for long-term settlement and a pathway to Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) while taking full control of their business venture.
Start by preparing a comprehensive business plan. This should clearly outline your innovative business idea, how it differs from existing UK market offerings, potential revenue streams, growth strategy, and job creation prospects. A well-prepared plan strengthens your endorsement application and demonstrates your business’s viability and scalability.
Submit your business plan to an approved UK endorsing body (e.g., Envestors Limited, Innovator International). The endorsing body will assess whether your business is genuinely innovative, viable, and scalable. Endorsement is mandatory and forms the foundation of your visa application.
Once endorsed, complete the UKVI online application form for the Innovator Founder Visa. Upload all required documents, including your endorsement letter, proof of English proficiency, financial evidence, and a valid passport. Pay the application fee (£1,274 outside UK / £1,590 inside UK) and the Immigration Health Surcharge (£1,035 per year).
Book and attend a biometric appointment at a UKVCAS centre. This involves submitting fingerprints and a photograph, which are essential for identity verification and visa processing.
After submission, your application will typically be processed within 8 weeks. Priority processing may be available for an additional fee, reducing the decision time. Keep communication lines open with your endorsing body and legal advisors during this period for any queries.
Ensure all required documents—including proof of endorsement, English language qualification, and financial evidence—are accurate, complete, and submitted on time. Missing or incorrect documents can lead to delays or refusals.
Unlike the old Innovator Visa, there is no minimum investment requirement, allowing entrepreneurs of all scales to establish or expand their business in the UK.
You can apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) after just three years, making this one of the fastest business routes to permanent residency in the UK.
Operate your own business, work as a director or self-employed, and even take on secondary skilled employment (RQF Level 3+) for additional income or industry experience.
Your spouse or partner and children under 18 can join you in the UK. Dependants are free to work, study, and build their future while you run your business.
Receive expert guidance from approved endorsing bodies who evaluate your business’s innovation, viability, and scalability.
After ILR, you may apply for British citizenship, giving you and your family long-term stability in the UK.
Enjoy access to the NHS, education, and a strong entrepreneurial ecosystem that supports business growth and innovation.
The Innovator Founder Visa has no annual cap or random selection process, giving qualified applicants a fair and predictable immigration pathway.
| Endorsement Validity | Active Business Participation | Public Funds Restriction |
|---|---|---|
| Your endorsement letter for the UK Innovator Founder Visa must be issued within three months of submitting your visa application. Expired endorsements are automatically rejected by UKVI, so timing your submission is critical. | Applicants must be directly involved in managing and growing their business. The Home Office expects genuine founders — not passive investors — to take part in the day-to-day operations of the business. | While the Innovator Founder Visa UK allows full access to work, study, and business opportunities, you and your dependents cannot claim public funds such as housing or benefits during your stay. You must rely on personal or business income for support. |
| We specialise in Home Office case presentations |
| Our expert team knows what it takes to mitigate challenges and present your case to the Home Office in the best light for a positive outcome. |
| We offer comprehensive and expert legal support |
| With more than 15 years’ experience managing sponsor licence compliance for our clients, our in-depth knowledge gives you an added advantage. |
| We will support your case through to its conclusion |
| We endeavour to challenge any rare negative outcomes through administrative review, pre-action protocol letters or judicial review proceedings, within our fixed fees. |
Weak Business Plans : Many UK Innovator Visa applications fail because of poorly structured business plans. Ensure your plan clearly shows innovation, market potential, and a strong growth strategy that aligns with endorsement body criteria.
Inadequate Documentation : Missing or inconsistent documentation — such as proof of endorsement, financial evidence, or English test results — often leads to processing delays or refusals. Always verify that each document is up to date and formatted correctly before submission.
Failure to Meet English Requirements : Applicants must meet the CEFR Level B2 English standard. If you struggle with this requirement, prepare early by taking an approved language test like IELTS or showing an English-taught degree certificate.
Financial Insufficiency: Applicants must maintain at least £1,270 in personal savings (plus additional funds for dependents). Failure to maintain this balance for 28 consecutive days is a common reason for rejection. Always plan your finances well before applying.
A strong Innovator Founder Visa business plan can make the difference between approval and refusal. Endorsing bodies assess your plan against three essentials — innovation, scalability, and financial viability.
Three Essentials of a Successful Business Plan
A Y & J Solicitors has handled over hundreds of successful Self-Sponsorship UK applications, making it a renowned leader in UK immigration law. Each case that we take is handled with meticulous professionalism by our experienced team, meeting every requirement and providing the highest possible likelihood of approval.
To qualify for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) under the UK Innovator Founder Visa, your business must meet measurable growth milestones within three years. These success metrics confirm that your business is viable and sustainable.
Business Milestones for ILR:
Meeting these ILR benchmarks demonstrates that your business is not only thriving but also contributing to the UK’s innovation ecosystem.
| Feature | Innovator Founder Visa | Self-Sponsorship Visa | Global Talent Visa | Expansion Worker Visa |
| Ideal For | Experienced entrepreneurs with innovative business ideas | Entrepreneurs seeking to establish a business without external sponsorship | Individuals recognised as leaders or potential leaders in specific fields | Senior employees of overseas businesses expanding to the UK |
| Endorsement Requirement | Yes, from an approved UK endorsing body | No | Yes, unless applying based on an eligible prestigious prize | No |
| Minimum Investment | None | None | None | None |
| English Language Requirement | Typically CEFR Level B2 | Typically CEFR Level B2 | Typically CEFR Level B2 | Typically CEFR Level B2 |
| Financial Requirement | £1,270 in personal savings for 28 consecutive days before applying | £1,270 in personal savings for 28 consecutive days before applying | Varies depending on circumstances | £1,270 in personal savings for 28 consecutive days before applying |
| Visa Duration | 3 years, extendable | Typically 2 years, extendable | Up to 5 years, extendable | Up to 5 years, extendable |
| Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) | Eligible after 3 years if business meets growth criteria | Not applicable | Eligible after 3 or 5 years, depending on field and application type | Eligible after 3 years |
| Family Inclusion | Spouse and children can join as dependents | Spouse and children can join as dependents | Spouse and children can join as dependents | Spouse and children can join as dependents |
| Application Complexity | Moderate – requires business plan and endorsement | Low – straightforward application process | High – requires endorsement or proof of prestigious prize | Moderate – requires employer sponsorship and job offer |
| Processing Time | Up to 8 weeks | Varies | Varies | Varies |
| Cost (Main Applicant) | £1,274 application fee + £1,035/year Immigration Health Surcharge | Varies | £766 application fee + Immigration Health Surcharge | £1,220 application fee + £1,035/year Immigration Health Surcharge |
| Main Advantages | No minimum investment required; pathway to ILR | Flexible route without the need for external endorsement | Open to a wide range of fields; no job offer required | Allows UK expansion of overseas business; provides a clear pathway for senior employees |
Each visa route has its unique advantages and requirements. Choosing the right one depends on your specific circumstances, including your professional background, business plans, and long-term goals in the UK.
With over 15 years of experience and 5,000+ successful immigration cases, A Y & J Solicitors is a multi-award-winning UK immigration law firm based in London, trusted by entrepreneurs, investors, and professionals worldwide.
Our expert team specialises in complex business immigration routes, including the Innovator Founder Visa, Self-Sponsorship Visa, Global Talent Visa, and UK Expansion Worker Visa. We provide end-to-end guidance: from securing endorsements and preparing compliant business plans to managing Home Office submissions and achieving Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR).
We are recognised for our strategic approach, transparent advice, and consistent success rate. Every Innovator Founder Visa case we handle is meticulously reviewed to ensure compliance, innovation strength, and readiness for endorsement approval.
A Y & J Solicitors has more than 1,200 positive client reviews across Google and Trustpilot and is listed in The Legal 500 top UK law firms. You can rest assured that your immigration journey is in safe hands when you contact us for your Innovator Founder visa needs. Here’s how we support you:
The Innovator Founder Visa UK is highly competitive, as applicants must present an innovative, viable, and scalable business idea that earns endorsement from an approved UK endorsing body. Success depends on the strength of your business plan, your experience, and compliance with visa requirements. Working with experienced Innovator Founder Visa solicitors can significantly improve your chances of a successful outcome.
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