Innovator Founder Visa

The Innovator Founder visa is for experienced entrepreneurs who want to establish an innovative, viable, and scalable business in the UK. It replaced the earlier Innovator and Start-up visas and, since the 2023 reform, removed the previous minimum investment requirement, shifting the focus onto the strength and originality of the business idea rather than how much money you bring.

It suits founders with a genuinely new concept - not a copy of an existing offering - who can show their business fills a market gap, has realistic growth potential, and can scale beyond the local area. You must meet English-language ability at level B2 and hold maintenance funds, and you must be a key founder rather than purely an investor, since the route is built around active involvement in running the business.

Before you can apply you must secure endorsement from an approved endorsing body that has been authorised by the Home Office to assess Innovator Founder businesses. The endorsing body checks that your idea is innovative, viable and scalable, and that you have a credible business plan and the skills to deliver it. This endorsement is the central requirement and the part founders should invest the most preparation in.

Endorsement is not a one-off rubber stamp: the endorsing body continues to monitor your progress, with contact-point checks (typically at 12 and 24 months) to confirm the business is making reasonable progress against its plan. Choosing the right endorsing body for your sector, and building a clear, evidence-backed business plan with milestones, dramatically improves both your chances of endorsement and your later checkpoint reviews.

First, develop your business plan and approach an approved endorsing body for assessment; if successful you receive an endorsement letter. You then apply for the visa online with your passport, endorsement letter, evidence of English at B2, and proof of maintenance funds, attending a biometrics appointment or using the ID Check app as required.

Processing is usually about three weeks when applying from outside the UK and around eight weeks from inside, after endorsement. Throughout the visa you must remain engaged with your endorsing body and attend the scheduled contact points, where continued endorsement depends on demonstrating genuine progress, active involvement, and that the business remains innovative, viable and scalable. Failing a checkpoint can put your continued leave at risk, so ongoing record-keeping matters.

The application fee is about 1,191 pounds from outside the UK or 1,486 pounds from inside, plus the Immigration Health Surcharge at 1,035 pounds per year and the endorsing body's own fees. Since the reform you can also take on skilled employment outside your own business, which gives founders more financial flexibility while they grow the company, and you can bring dependent partners and children.

The Innovator Founder visa is initially granted for three years and offers a three-year route to settlement: founders can apply for indefinite leave to remain after three years if the business meets the required growth and innovation criteria assessed by the endorsing body. This relatively fast settlement timeline, with no fixed investment floor, makes it one of the more attractive entrepreneur routes into the UK.

Planning around the real numbers makes the Innovator Founder Visa far less stressful. On cost, Application £1,191 (out) / £1,486 (in) + IHS £1,035/yr + endorsement fee. On timing, About 3 weeks (outside UK) or 8 weeks (inside UK) after endorsement. Budget a little extra for document translation, certified or notarised copies, any required medical examination, photos to specification, and travel to a consulate or biometrics appointment. These smaller costs add up and are easy to overlook. Start gathering your documents early. An innovative, viable and scalable business idea endorsed by an approved UK endorsing body, plus English at B2 and maintenance funds. No fixed minimum investment since the 2023 reform. Beyond those specifics, almost every applicant needs a passport valid well beyond the intended stay, recent photographs, and proof of funds or income. Where papers are issued in another language, official translations and sometimes an apostille or legalisation are expected, so confirm the exact format before booking your appointment.

Because this is an employer-driven route, the biggest factor in a smooth outcome is a well-prepared sponsor. Make sure your employer's registration and filings are current, that your job title and salary match every supporting document, and that your qualifications clearly map to the role. Most delays come from inconsistent paperwork, a name spelled differently across files, an expired registration, or missing proof of the company's standing. Respond quickly to any request for evidence, keep copies of every submission, and avoid booking flights until the visa is physically issued. If you might change employers later, learn the notification steps in advance so you never work outside the terms of your permit.