United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
Innovator Founder visa processing time
Endorsement by an approved body is a pre-requisite; visa decision is 3 weeks outside the UK or 8 weeks inside.
Typical window
3 weeks – 8 weeks
Government fees
Endorsement body fees (varies by body) plus visa application fee and IHS £1,035/year.
Last checked
20 April 2026
What drives the timeline
Innovator Founder visa sits in the entrepreneur category. Typical duration: 3 years per grant; extendable. Leads to settlement after 3 years.. Indicative government fees: Endorsement body fees (varies by body) plus visa application fee and IHS £1,035/year..
- Does not require a sponsor.
- Leads to settlement / permanent residence.
- Suited for: Founders with a novel business concept and a credible plan to build it in the UK, Entrepreneurs who can secure endorsement from a government-approved endorsing body.
Primary source
GOV.UK — Innovator Founder visa
https://www.gov.uk/innovator-founder-visa
Frequently asked questions
How long does the Innovator Founder visa take to process?
Endorsement by an approved body is a pre-requisite; visa decision is 3 weeks outside the UK or 8 weeks inside. These figures come from GOV.UK — Innovator Founder visa and were last verified on 2026-04-20. Always confirm on the primary source before acting.
Is there a priority or premium service that speeds this up?
Refer to the linked primary source for current priority / premium options; availability changes frequently and varies by consular post.
Can you guarantee my application will fall inside this window?
No. Processing times are indicative and depend on case complexity, biometrics scheduling, sponsor-side delays, source country, public-holiday calendars, and policy shifts. The linked source is the only authoritative reference on the day you apply.