UK INNOVATOR
FOUNDER VISA

The Innovator Founder Visa is a leading UK immigration route for entrepreneurs looking to build innovative businesses in the UK. It offers a fast track to permanent residency and removes the previous £50,000 investment requirement.

To qualify, you must:

• Be 18 years or older
• Intend to set up and run an innovative business in the UK
• Obtain endorsement from an approved UK endorsing body
• Meet English language requirements (B2 level)
• Show £1,270 in personal savings to support yourself in the UK

You do not need to be the sole founder. Co-founders and team members may also be eligible if each applicant has a distinct business role and a separate endorsement.

1. BUSINESS PLAN

Your business plan must demonstrate that your idea is:

Innovative: Clearly original and distinct from anything already available in the UK market.
Viable: Realistically executable with a sustainable model and your demonstrated business acumen.
Scalable: Offers potential for growth, job creation, and expansion into national or international markets.

2. BUSINESS ENDORSEMENT

You must receive an endorsement from an approved body. These include:

• Envestors Limited
• UK Endorsement Services
• Innovator International
• Global Entrepreneurs Programme (GEP)

Endorsing bodies assess factors such as market demand, originality, business strategy, long-term viability, and your ability to deliver the business plan.

3. ENGLISH LANGUAGE REQUIREMENT

You must meet CEFR Level B2 in reading, writing, speaking, and listening, or:

• Hold a degree taught in English, or
• Be from an English-speaking exempt country

4. MAINTENANCE FUNDS

Show evidence of £1,270 in your bank account, held for at least 28 days before your application. This proves you can support yourself in the UK.

You’ll need to submit:

• Valid passport or travel document
• Endorsement letter from an approved endorsing body
• Business plan or supporting pitch materials
• Proof of English language proficiency
• Financial evidence (e.g. bank statements showing £1,270+ in savings)
• Tuberculosis test results (if required, based on country)
• Biometric data (submitted during the application process)

Your visa can be extended indefinitely in 3-year increments. To qualify for renewal, you must:

• Reapply before your visa expires
• Still be running your business or starting a new one
• Continue to meet the original endorsement criteria
• Extension Fee: £1,486
• Processing time: Approx. 8 weeks

1. Develop your business plan 
2. Apply for endorsement from a recognised UK endorsing body
3. Submit your visa application online via the Home Office portal
4. Verify your identity:
   – Attend a biometric appointment, or
   – Use the UK Immigration: ID Check app
5. Pay application fees:
   – £1,191 (applying from outside the UK)
   – £1,486 (applying from inside the UK)
   – Healthcare surcharge: £1,035 per year
6. Receive a decision, usually within 3 weeks

The Innovator Founder Visa offers a direct route to permanent UK residency. You can apply for ILR after 3 years, provided that:

• You’ve held the visa for the full 3 years
• You’ve not been outside the UK for more than 180 days in any 12-month period
• You secure a new endorsement confirming your business has achieved key growth milestones
• You pass the Life in the UK Test

ILR Application Fee: £2,885 per applicant
Decision time: Up to 6 months

Once granted ILR, you can live, work, and start businesses freely, and after 12 months, you may apply for British citizenship.

The Innovator Founder Visa is more than permission to work—it’s a powerful route to establish your legacy in the UK. Whether you’re launching a tech start-up, creative agency, or new product solution, Cromwell Wilkes will guide your visa journey from concept to residency.
If you plan to launch, grow, or invest in the UK, expert legal support for your UK business visa application can make all the difference.

Contact us today for personalised legal advice and take the first step toward starting your career in the UK.