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UK Innovator Founder Visa

Build your UK enterprise with confidence.

The UK's premier business immigration route — designed for experienced founders ready to build their next venture on British soil. Settlement in as little as three years.

The Innovator Founder Visa

For entrepreneurs with innovative, viable & scalable ideas.

The UK's premier business immigration route — designed for experienced founders ready to build their next venture on British soil. One of the fastest paths to settlement available today.

— 01 / Investment

£50,000 — or zero

The £50,000 investment requirement can be entirely waived for already-trading businesses or those backed by third-party investors. Many of our clients arrive with no personal investment at all — and we'll tell you upfront whether yours qualifies.

Waiver available
— 02 / Endorsement

Endorsement Required

Approval from a Home Office endorsing body — Envestors, UKEAS, GEP, or Innovator International.

— 03 / Settlement

3 Years to ILR

One of the fastest UK settlement routes. Apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain after just 3 years.

— 04 / Work

Work & Study

Take side work up to 20 hours/week. Study any course at any level — no restrictions.

— 05 / Family

Full Family Rights

Partner and children join with full work rights from day one. No restrictions.

— 06 / Duration

3 + 3 Years

Initial 3-year visa, extendable for another 3. Total 6 years available.

Eligibility & Benefits

Built for experienced founders with a clear vision.

Who Can Apply

Eligibility Criteria

  • Experienced entrepreneurs with an innovative, viable and scalable business idea
  • Endorsement from a Home Office-approved body
  • English at B2 level (IELTS 5.5 or equivalent — intermediate proficiency)
  • £50,000 investment funds (can be waived for established or funded businesses)
  • £1,270 maintenance funds held for 28 consecutive days
  • Genuine entrepreneur with a credible business plan and realistic projections
Visa Benefits

What You Gain

  • 3 years initial visa, extendable for 3 more years (total 6 years available)
  • Apply for ILR after just 3 years (meeting 2 of 7 business milestones)
  • Work for other employers up to 20 hours per week alongside your business
  • Study any course at any level without restrictions
  • Bring family — partner and children under 18 — with full work rights
  • British citizenship possible after just 4 years total (ILR at 3, citizenship at 4)
Our Process

Eight steps from business plan to British soil.

Each step prepared and refined by senior consultants who know exactly what UKVI and endorsing bodies want to see.

01

Develop Your Business Plan

We craft a comprehensive business plan demonstrating your venture is innovative, viable, and scalable. Includes 3–5 year projections, market research, and competitive analysis.

InnovationProjectionsMarket research
02

Apply to Endorsing Body

We match you with the right body — Envestors, UKEAS, GEP, or Innovator International — and prepare your submission. Process takes 4–8 weeks.

Body selectionInterview prep4–8 weeks
03

Receive Endorsement

Upon approval, you receive an endorsement letter with reference number valid 3 months. If investment is waived (already trading or funded), this is explicitly stated.

Valid 3 monthsReference numberInvestment status
04

Gather Documents

We assemble every document — passport, English certificate, financial evidence, maintenance funds, TB certificate if applicable. Certified translations arranged.

ChecklistFinancialsTranslations
05

Submit Application

Submit via UK government portal using your endorsement reference. Application fee £1,357 outside UK or £1,693 switching. IHS £3,105 for 3 years. Family members pay the same.

£1,357 fee£3,105 IHS3 month window
06

Biometrics & Submission

Book your biometric appointment at a visa application centre or UKVCAS centre. Provide fingerprints and photo. Submit passport and supporting documents.

BiometricsDocument reviewKeep passport
07

Decision & Launch

Processing 3 weeks (outside UK) or 8 weeks (inside). Once approved, you receive a 3-year visa. Travel to UK, register with Companies House, open business bank account.

3-year visaILR after 3 yrsCitizenship at 4
08

Post-Arrival Support

Our relationship doesn't end at landing. We support your milestone check-ins, advise on compliance, and prepare your ILR application after 3 years — and citizenship after 4.

MilestonesILRCitizenship
4–8 wks
Endorsement
3–8 wks
Visa Processing
3 yrs
To Settlement
The Three Pillars

Every approved application meets three core criteria.

Your business must be innovative, viable, and scalable — assessed by your endorsing body before your visa application even begins.

01

Innovative

An original business plan with genuine innovation or competitive advantage. New to the UK market — even if it exists overseas. Shows a clear differentiator and solves a real problem in a new way.

Original idea
02

Viable

You possess the necessary skills, experience and knowledge to succeed. The business has realistic market opportunities with a credible path to profitability, evidenced by detailed projections.

Credible path
03

Scalable

Potential for significant growth beyond the UK. Capable of creating jobs for settled workers. National or international expansion potential — not limited to a single location or personal services.

Growth potential
04

English Language (B2)

Demonstrate English at CEFR B2 level — equivalent to IELTS 5.5 in all four skills. A UK or US degree may exempt you from testing entirely. We confirm your exemption before you spend a penny.

IELTS 5.5
05

Investment Funds

£50,000 investment funds — your own, joint with a partner, third-party investment, or government grants. Waived entirely if your business is already trading or has third-party backing.

May be waived
06

Maintenance Funds

£1,270 held in your account for 28 consecutive days before applying. Additional amounts required for family. We prepare a precise funds-timeline so nothing is queried by UKVI.

28 days
Frequently Asked

Answers to what founders ask most.

The £50,000 must be available to invest in your UK business. It can come from your own funds (held for 90 days), joint funds with a partner, third-party investment (VCs, angels, accelerators), or government grants. Critically, the requirement is waived if your business is already trading or has received third-party funding. Many of our clients invest nothing personally.
You apply to one of four Home Office-approved endorsing bodies (Envestors, UKEAS, GEP, or Innovator International). Each has different sector specialisms. You submit a business plan, financial projections, and personal statement, then attend a typically virtual interview. Endorsement fees range £1,000–£1,500 + VAT. The process takes 4–8 weeks. If approved, you receive a letter valid for 3 months.
The Start-up Visa is for first-time entrepreneurs and does not lead directly to settlement. The Innovator Founder Visa requires proven entrepreneurial experience and is one of the UK's fastest routes to ILR — just 3 years. If you have business experience and want a direct path to British citizenship, the Innovator Founder is the right choice.
Yes. You must meet 2 of 7 business milestones — including evidence of investment, customer growth, job creation, intellectual property, or significant revenue. You'll need to demonstrate your business is genuinely progressing. We help you plan your milestones from the outset so you're ILR-ready at month 36.
Innovative — your business is original, or genuinely new to the UK market. Viable — you have the experience and skills to execute, and your projections are realistic. Scalable — your business has clear potential for significant growth, including job creation and national or international expansion. Strong sectors include technology, fintech, SaaS, healthcare innovation, cleantech, and digital platforms.
Yes — your partner and children under 18 can join you as dependants with full work rights from day one. They can work any job, any hours, with no restrictions. This is one of the most generous family arrangements of any UK visa category.
Government fees for the main applicant total approximately £4,462 from outside the UK (£1,357 application fee + £3,105 Immigration Health Surcharge for 3 years). Add endorsement fees of £1,000–£1,500 + VAT. Family members add the same costs each. Our consultancy fees are quoted transparently at your free assessment — no surprises.
Yes — you can switch from most UK visa categories including Student, Graduate, Skilled Worker, and other business routes, provided you meet all Innovator Founder requirements including endorsement. The application fee is slightly higher inside the UK (£1,693 vs £1,357). We routinely help graduates and skilled workers make this transition.
Ready to Begin?

Your UK chapter starts with one conversation.

Book a complimentary, no-obligation assessment with a senior consultant. We'll review your business idea, your circumstances, and tell you honestly whether the Innovator Founder route is right for you.