FURTHER DETAILS
Innovator Founder Visa requirements
The Innovator Founder route is intended for individuals who have generated, or significantly contributed to, a business idea that they intend to establish and develop in the UK.
The proposed business must normally satisfy the following criteria:
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New: the applicant cannot simply join a business that is already trading.
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Innovative: the business must offer an original proposition that is different from existing products or services in the market.
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Viable: the applicant must have the skills, knowledge, experience and market awareness required to deliver the business plan.
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Scalable: the business must demonstrate structured planning for growth, job creation and expansion into national or international markets.
Obtaining an endorsement
Before submitting the visa application, the applicant must obtain an endorsement from an organisation authorised to endorse Innovator Founder applications.
The endorsing body will assess the founder, business plan, commercial proposition, market opportunity and potential for growth. It will also consider whether the applicant genuinely intends to play a key role in developing the business.
An endorsement does not guarantee that the visa application will be approved. The applicant must separately meet the immigration, English language, financial and suitability requirements.
English language and financial requirements
Applicants must normally demonstrate English language ability to at least level B2 in reading, writing, speaking and listening.
An applicant who has been in the UK for less than 12 months may also need to show that they have held at least £1,270 for 28 consecutive days to support themselves.
Additional maintenance funds may be required where a partner or children are applying as dependants.
How long the visa lasts
The Innovator Founder Visa is normally granted for three years, whether the applicant applies from overseas or switches from another eligible route within the UK.
The founder must usually attend progress meetings with the endorsing body after 12 months and 24 months. The visa may be affected if the endorsing body withdraws its endorsement.
There is no fixed limit on the number of times the visa can be extended, provided the applicant continues to meet the requirements and receives a further endorsement.
Working outside the business
Innovator Founder Visa holders may work for their own business and can also undertake employment outside it, provided the external role requires a qualification at or above the prescribed skill level.
The route does not permit employment as a professional sportsperson or sports coach.
Switching from inside the UK
Some applicants can switch to the Innovator Founder route from within the UK.
Switching is not normally permitted for individuals who hold permission as a visitor, short-term student, seasonal worker, Parent of a Child Student or domestic worker in a private household.
A person applying from the Student route must normally have completed the course for which they were sponsored or have studied towards a full-time PhD for at least 24 months.
Settlement after three years
Innovator Founder Visa holders may be eligible to apply for indefinite leave to remain after spending three continuous years in the Innovator or Innovator Founder route.
Settlement is not automatic. The applicant must obtain a further endorsement confirming that the business has made sufficient progress and meets the relevant settlement criteria.
Applicants must also satisfy the continuous residence and Life in the UK requirements. Time spent under other visa categories cannot normally be included in the three-year qualifying period.
WHY WESTKIN
Why entrepreneurs choose Westkin
Innovator Founder applications require a combination of immigration law, commercial evidence and a clear understanding of the endorsement criteria. Our role is to identify weaknesses before they result in an unsuccessful endorsement or visa application.
Lawyer-led advice: your immigration application is reviewed by an experienced business immigration lawyer.
Commercial and legal assessment: we examine how the business proposition, founder’s experience and supporting evidence address the innovation, viability and scalability requirements.
End-to-end support: we can advise from the initial eligibility assessment through to the visa application, dependant applications, extensions and settlement.
Complex case experience: we regularly advise founders with previous refusals, complicated immigration histories and business proposals requiring careful legal presentation.
Established immigration firm: Westkin is Legal 500 ranked, regulated by the SRA and IAA, has more than 700 Google reviews and has advised more than 70,000 individuals and businesses.
WHAT HAPPENS NEXT
Starting your Innovator Founder application
We begin by reviewing your business idea, professional background, proposed role and current immigration position.
We will explain whether the business appears suitable for the route, identify any areas requiring further evidence and advise on the endorsement and visa application process.
Once instructed, our lawyers can work with you and your professional advisers to prepare the immigration application and supporting representations.
