Innovator Founder Visa

The Innovator Founder visa was introduced in April 2023 and replaces the former Innovator and Start-up routes.

What is the Innovator Founder Visa?

The Innovator Founder visa is for entrepreneurs who intend to set up and run a new, innovative, viable, and scalable business in the UK.

Applicants are firstly required to have had their business endorsed by an approved body, also known as an Endorsing Body. The Endorsing Body will consider whether the business is innovative, viable and scalable, and whether the applicant has a genuine, original business plan that meets new or existing market needs.

Once the applicant has received a positive endorsement, they will be able to apply for an Innovator Founder visa.

What are the requirements for an Innovator Founder Visa?

The requirements an applicant must meet when making an Innovator Founder visa application are broadly as follows:

• they are aged 18 or over;
• they do not fall for refusal under the Part 9: grounds for refusal;
• they have provided a valid TB certificate, where applicable;
• they are a genuine Innovator Founder applicant;
• they have an endorsement letter from an Endorsing Body;
• they have sufficient knowledge of English language (CEFR level B2); and
• they meet the financial requirement (entry clearance applicants and those in the UK for less than 12 months must have held funds of £1,270 for a 28-day period).

The Innovator Founder visa is a Points Based System (PBS) visa type. Therefore, in order to meet the eligibility requirements, the applicant must be awarded 70 points. 50 points are awarded for endorsement depending on whether the business is a ‘new business’ or ‘same business’, 10 points are awarded for meeting the English language requirement, and a further 10 points are awarded for meeting the financial requirement.

What is the endorsement criteria?

The Immigration Rules distinguish between applicants who are applying under the ‘new business’ criteria and those applying under the ‘same business’ criteria. Those who are applying to come to the UK for the first time will need to apply under the ‘new business’ requirement.

The ‘same business’ criteria is for entrepreneurs who have last had permission as an Innovator Founder, or on the Start-up, or Tier 1 (Graduate Entrepreneur) route.

‘New business’ requirements

There are two elements to the ‘new business’ requirements.

Part 1: Business Plan:
The applicant must:

• have a business plan to which they either generated or made a significant contribution;
• demonstrate they will have a day-to-day role in executing the business plan;
• confirm they will attend two contact meetings with the endorsing body during their period of permission; and
• be either a sole founder or an instrumental member of the founding team.

Part 2: an innovative, viable, and scalable business:
The applicant must be able to show that their business venture is innovative, viable, and scalable, and that they meet the following requirements:

• they have a genuine, original business plan that meets new or existing market needs;
• the business plan is realistic and achievable;
• the applicant has, or will have, the skills to successfully run the business; and
• there must be plans for job creation and growth nationally and internationally.

‘Same business’ requirements

There are three elements to the ‘same business’ requirements.

Part 1: Business previously assessed by an endorsing body:
The applicant must have, or have last had permission as an Innovator Founder, or on the Start-up, or Tier 1 (Graduate Entrepreneur) route. Additionally, the letter of endorsement must confirm they are pursuing a business that has been assessed by a Home Office approved body for either the previous endorsement or at a contact point.

Part 2: Business is active, trading, and sustainable:
The applicant’s business must be active, trading, and sustainable, and the applicant is able to show significant achievements against the business plan.

Part 3: Applicant is involved in day-to-day management:
The endorsement letter must confirm that the applicant is involved in the day-to-day management and development of the business.

Endorsing Bodies can be viewed on the gov.uk website.

Who can switch onto an Innovator Founder Visa?

Generally, an application for an Innovator Founder visa is made from outside the UK. However, if a person is already in the UK on a different type of visa, they may be able to apply to switch onto an Innovator Founder visa.

Individuals who are in the UK on a Student visa may be eligible to switch provided they have either completed their course of study, or have studied for a PhD for at least 24 months.

Individuals currently in the UK on one of the following visa types are not permitted to switch to an Innovator Founder visa:

• Visit visa
• Short-term student visa
• Parent of a Child Student visa
• Seasonal worker visa
• Domestic worker in a private household visa
• On immigration bail
• With permission to stay outside the immigration rules

Once the Innovator Founder application is approved

Successful applicants will be granted permission to stay for three years. Individuals on this visa type must meet with their Endorsing Body at the 12 month and 24 month marks to prove that the business is continuing to make progress.

There is the possibility to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), also known at settlement, once the applicant has completed the three-year stay.

If an applicant does not meet the requirements for ILR, they can apply to extend their stay for a further three years. There is no limit on the amount of times an applicant can extend their visa.

How our Immigration Solicitors can help

Please note that at present, we are only able to offer visa assistance to applicants who have already received an offer of endorsement from an Endorsing Body.

We have significant experience in preparing visa applications for individuals who wish to move to the UK for work and business purposes. For assistance please contact us.

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