Comparison guide
Self-Sponsorship and Founder Routes in the UK and Ireland
Routes for individuals who want to relocate without a sponsoring employer: UK Innovator Founder, UK Global Talent, Ireland STEP, and more.
Last reviewed:
Founders of scalable, innovative venturesSenior researchers, technologists, and leadersGraduates of top-ranked global universities within 5 years of graduationWhat does Self-Sponsorship and Founder Routes in the UK and Ireland compare?
Routes for individuals who want to relocate without a sponsoring employer: UK Innovator Founder, UK Global Talent, Ireland STEP, and more. It compares Innovator Founder visa, Global Talent visa, High Potential Individual visa, Start-up Entrepreneur Programme (STEP), with each route linked to its primary government source.
Verified against UK Home Office on 21 July 2026.
At a glance
Key facts for each route covered in this comparison. Click any visa for the full guide.
| Country | Route | Sponsor? | Duration | Leads to PR? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | Innovator Founder visa | No | 3 years per grant, with no fixed limit on extensions. Settlement may be available after 3 years if the route’s separate endorsement and business-growth requirements are met. | Yes |
| United Kingdom | Global Talent visa | No | Up to 5 years per grant; leads to settlement after 3 or 5 years depending on endorsement type. | Yes |
| United Kingdom | High Potential Individual visa | No | 2 years (3 years for PhD graduates). Non-extendable. | No |
| Ireland | Start-up Entrepreneur Programme (STEP) | No | Initial 2-year permission; renewable; leads to Stamp 4 after 5 years. | Yes |
Detailed comparison
The UK Innovator Founder visa requires endorsement from a Home Office-approved body confirming that the business idea is innovative, viable, and scalable—the previous GBP 50,000 investment requirement was removed in 2023.
UK Global Talent is endorsement-based (Tech Nation’s tech track closed in 2023; Royal Society, Royal Academy of Engineering, British Academy, UKRI, Arts Council England remain active) and allows self-sponsored work.
UK High Potential Individual (HPI) visa is open to recent graduates of specified top-ranked universities (Global Universities List updated annually).
Ireland’s Start-up Entrepreneur Programme (STEP) requires EUR 50,000 in funding plus a high-potential startup (HPSU) plan, with no minimum staff numbers or Irish-resident director required.
Full guides for each route
Each link takes you to the complete visa guide — eligibility, step-by-step pathway, fees, processing time, and FAQs.
Innovator Founder visa· United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
Endorsement-based visa for founders launching an innovative, viable and scalable business in the UK.
No sponsorship needed · 3 years per grant, with no fixed limit on extensions. Settlement may be available after 3 years if the route’s separate endorsement and business-growth requirements are met.
Global Talent visa· United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
Unsponsored visa for leaders or potential leaders in academia, research, arts, culture, or digital technology.
No sponsorship needed · Up to 5 years per grant; leads to settlement after 3 or 5 years depending on endorsement type.
High Potential Individual visa· United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
Unsponsored work visa for graduates of a time-limited list of top global universities.
No sponsorship needed · 2 years (3 years for PhD graduates). Non-extendable.
Start-up Entrepreneur Programme (STEP)· Republic of Ireland
Residence programme for founders establishing a High Potential Start-Up in Ireland.
No sponsorship needed · Initial 2-year permission; renewable; leads to Stamp 4 after 5 years.
Source basis
This comparison is based on the official government portals and primary route sources for the visas named on this page. Open each full guide for eligibility, fees, processing time and action links.
Reviewed
Primary sources
- GOV.UK — Browse visas and immigration
UK Home Office - verified
- Immigration Service Delivery
Department of Justice (Ireland) - verified
- GOV.UK — Innovator Founder visa
UK Home Office - verified
- GOV.UK — Global Talent visa
UK Home Office - verified
- GOV.UK — High Potential Individual visa
UK Home Office - verified
- ISD — Start-up Entrepreneur Programme
Immigration Service Delivery (Ireland) - verified
Frequently asked questions
Do any of these routes allow dependants to work?+
Yes. UK Global Talent, UK Innovator Founder, UK High Potential Individual, and Ireland’s STEP all permit dependant partners to work in the destination.
Which of these routes leads to indefinite leave to remain fastest?+
UK Global Talent offers the fastest settlement in the UK — as short as 3 years for endorsed-exceptional-talent category leaders, and 5 years otherwise. The UK Innovator Founder visa can also lead to settlement after 3 years if the business hits growth metrics. UK High Potential Individual does not itself lead to settlement; holders must switch to a sponsored or qualifying route first. Ireland’s STEP leads to long-term residence after 5 reckonable years.
Is the UK Innovator Founder visa still restricted to £50,000 investment?+
No. The £50,000 minimum investment requirement was removed in April 2023 when the Start-up and Innovator routes were consolidated into Innovator Founder. Applicants must now demonstrate an innovative, viable and scalable business plan endorsed by an approved body — there is no minimum capital test in the Immigration Rules.
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