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.
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Key claims
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.
Routes referenced
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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