UK Innovator Founder Visa Solicitors
The UK Innovator Founder Visa allows experienced entrepreneurs and business creators to establish or expand innovative ventures in the United Kingdom. It is aimed at founders with genuine, scalable business ideas and provides one of the most flexible and direct routes to permanent residence in the UK.
At Immigration Solicitors UK, our solicitors guide clients through every stage, from preparing a compliant business plan and securing endorsement to managing visa submissions, extensions and settlement. We ensure that your application is structured for success from day one.
To discuss your Innovator Founder application with a solicitor, call +44 7561 699 666 or contact us online.
Book your FREE consultation today!
Understanding the Innovator Founder Visa
The Innovator Founder Visa enables entrepreneurs to build their business in the UK without showing a fixed investment amount. Instead, you must obtain endorsement from one of four authorised bodies: Envestors, UK Endorsing Services, Innovator International or the Global Entrepreneurs Programme.
You must be directly involved in the business’s management and demonstrate that the idea is innovative, viable and scalable. The visa is issued for three years and can lead to settlement after that period if success indicators are achieved. You can bring your partner and children under 18 to the UK as dependants.
For professional advice on eligibility, endorsement or strategy, contact us to arrange a consultation.
Applicants must be at least 18 years old and hold a valid endorsement issued within the three months before applying. The endorsing body must confirm that your business meets the innovation, feasibility and scalability standards and that you are a core founder.
English language ability must be proven at CEFR Level B2. From January 2026, the Home Office has strengthened this requirement to ensure founders can manage their UK operations confidently. Holding a UK degree, or an overseas degree verified by UK ENIC, automatically satisfies this requirement.
You must hold a minimum balance of funds for at least 28 consecutive days before applying.
Applicant Type | Required Funds |
|---|---|
Main Applicant | £1,270 |
Partner | £285 |
First Child | £315 |
Each Additional Child | £200 |
An endorsement fee of £1,000 plus VAT is payable to the endorsing body. Mandatory check-in meetings are typically held at the 12 and 24-month marks, though your endorsing body may require more frequent updates depending on your business’s progress. Each meeting costs £500, and missing or delaying these can result in endorsement withdrawal.
How to Apply
First, prepare a detailed business plan that explains how your company will operate and contribute to the UK economy. Submit the plan to an endorsing body for assessment. If approved, you will receive an endorsement letter to include with your visa application.
Applications are made online through the Home Office portal. The fee is £1,274 if applying from outside the UK and £1,590 if applying from within. The Immigration Health Surcharge is £1,035 per person, per year.
Most applications are decided within three weeks if made from overseas. Our solicitors manage the process from start to finish, liaising with both the Home Office and the endorsing body to ensure a smooth process.
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Unlike previous business routes, Innovator Founders may take on secondary employment outside their business, provided the role is skilled to at least RQF Level 3 (A-level equivalent). This allows founders to maintain income or gain valuable experience while building their enterprise.
Did you know? Unlike the Skilled Worker route, Innovator Founders are not tied to a fixed salary. You may reinvest profits into your business during its early stages, provided you continue to meet maintenance requirements and the business remains viable. Our solicitors can help you structure your income to stay compliant.
Switching from a Student Visa
Since November 2025, international graduates who have completed a UK degree can switch directly into the Innovator Founder route without leaving the country. In some cases, PhD students can start self-employment while their Innovator Founder application is pending.
If you are a student with a viable business idea, contact our solicitors to assess your eligibility and prepare your application.
The Fit and Proper Test
From 2026, endorsing bodies must conduct detailed background and financial checks on all applicants under the “Fit and Proper Person” standard. This review covers the source of funds, ownership structure and professional record.
Our solicitors carry out a pre-endorsement Fit and Proper audit to identify and resolve any potential issues before submission. We examine your source of wealth, company structure and compliance record to prevent endorsement delays or rejections.
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The Innovator Founder route allows multiple founders to apply under the same business venture. Each founder must obtain their own endorsement and visa but may share a single business plan.
For settlement, each applicant must meet at least two success indicators independently. Successes cannot be double-counted. For example, if one founder relies on job creation, another must rely on revenue or intellectual property.
Our solicitors work with founding teams to design endorsement strategies that ensure each member’s path to settlement is distinct and achievable.
Endorsement Rescue Service
If your endorsement has been refused or withdrawn, our solicitors can assist with an Endorsement Rescue application. We review your business plan, identify gaps in innovation or scalability, and represent you in a new submission to a more appropriate endorsing body. Prompt legal support can preserve your immigration status and reduce delays.
Extending Your Visa
The visa is valid for three years and can be extended if your endorsement remains valid and your business continues to meet its stated objectives. There is no limit on the number of extensions.
We recommend beginning your renewal process at least six months before expiry to ensure continuity and compliance.
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After three years, you may apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain if your business meets at least two of the Home Office’s success indicators and you have maintained continuous residence.
The Seven Success Indicators
Success Indicator | Description |
|---|---|
1 | A minimum of £50,000 invested and spent on business development |
2 | Customer base doubled in the last three years |
3 | Application made for significant UK intellectual property protection |
4 | Annual gross revenue of at least £1 million |
5 | Minimum annual gross revenue of £500,000 in the last full year, with at least £100,000 from exporting overseas |
6 | At least five full-time jobs created paying £25,000 or more |
7 | At least ten full-time jobs created at any salary level |
You must meet at least two of these indicators to qualify for settlement. In addition, you must have lived in the UK continuously for three years and have no more than 180 days of absence in any rolling 12-month period. We provide absence-tracking tools for clients to ensure compliance with this rule. You must also pass the Life in the UK Test and obtain renewed endorsement confirming that your business remains genuine and sustainable.
To plan your long-term route to settlement, contact our solicitors for tailored guidance.
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Common reasons for refusal include incomplete or unrealistic business plans, endorsement from an unapproved body or weak financial documentation. Many refusals can be avoided through early legal preparation and clear communication with the endorsing body.
Our solicitors review every detail of your application to ensure consistency, accuracy and compliance. If your endorsement has been withdrawn or your visa refused, we can prepare a structured response or reapplication.
Benefits of the Innovator Founder Route
This route provides a fast pathway to permanent residence in just three years. It allows dependants to join you, offers secondary employment flexibility and has no fixed investment threshold. It is ideal for both first-time entrepreneurs and experienced business owners expanding into the UK.
For clear, practical advice tailored to your business, call +44 7561 699 666 or contact us online.
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What We Offer
Our Services
we understand that immigrating to a new country is a significant
decision that comes with its own set of challenges.
Family Visas
Partner Visas
Settlement in the UK
Settlement of EEA Nationals
British Citizenship and The Right of Abode
Challenge a Refusal
Removals/Deportations
Asylum/Human Rights
Sponsor License for a UK Business
UK Business Visas
Student Visas
Popular Work Visas
Other work visas and permits
Visas without a job offer
Work for an overseas employer
Temporary work visas
UK Visit Visas
How Immigration Solicitors UK Can Help
Our firm acts for entrepreneurs, start-ups and investors from around the world. We provide strategic legal support for endorsement, visa applications, extensions and settlement. We also represent clients with complex or refused applications.
As solicitors regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority, our advice is protected by legal professional privilege and remains confidential. We combine commercial insight with legal precision to help you build your business and secure your future in the UK.
To speak with an immigration solicitor, call +44 7561 699 666 or complete our online enquiry form.
Speak to a Solicitor
Early legal advice can make all the difference to your success. Whether you are seeking endorsement, applying for your visa, or preparing for settlement, our solicitors are ready to help.
Call +44 7561 699 666 or contact us online to arrange a consultation by phone, video or in person.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Innovator Founder Visa
A visa route for entrepreneurs establishing or expanding an innovative and scalable business in the UK, requiring endorsement from an authorised body.
What are the current fees
The application fee is £1,274 from outside the UK and £1,590 from within. The endorsement fee is £1,000 plus VAT, and there are two mandatory £500 check-in meetings, though some endorsing bodies may request additional updates depending on progress.
Can I bring my family
Yes. You may bring your partner and children under 18, who can live, work or study in the UK.
When can I apply for settlement
You may apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain after three years if you meet at least two success indicators and satisfy residence requirements.
How long does the process take
Most applications are processed within three weeks if made from outside the UK.
