United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland · entrepreneur · Leads to settlement

Innovator Founder visa

By Sam Parks · Last reviewed: 1 June 2026

Endorsement-based visa for founders launching an innovative, viable and scalable business in the UK.

No sponsorship requiredLeads to permanent residency3 years per grant; extendable. Leads to settlement after 3 years.

Processing time: Endorsement process varies by body; visa typically 3 weeks after endorsement.
Government fees: Endorsement body fees (varies by body) plus visa application fee and IHS £1,035/year.
Typical duration: 3 years per grant; extendable. Leads to settlement after 3 years.
Sponsorship required: No
Leads to permanent residency: Yes

Reviewed 1 June 2026UK Home Office ↗

Overview

The Innovator Founder visa replaced the Start-up and Innovator visas in April 2023. It requires endorsement from a Home Office–approved body based on a business that is innovative, viable and scalable. Unlike its predecessor, there is no minimum investment threshold — but the endorsement bar has risen.

Guidance by nationality

Specific information for applicants from these countries. Don’t see yours? The general eligibility criteria above apply to everyone.

Eligibility

Typical criteria

✓Endorsement from an approved body confirming the business is innovative, viable and scalable.
✓English language at CEFR B2.
✓Financial requirement of £1,270 held for 28 days (unless exempt).

Common blockers

!Business lacks genuine novelty — a copy of an existing UK or foreign business rarely meets the innovation criterion.
!Plan does not show realistic path to market and growth.

Typical evidence

·Detailed business plan tailored to endorsement body's criteria.
·Evidence of any funding, team, or traction to date.
·Endorsement letter from an approved endorsing body.

Application pathway

Develop and validate the business concept
Most successful applicants spend months refining the business case and financial model before approaching an endorsing body.
Engage an approved endorsing body
Apply to one of the Home Office–approved endorsing bodies. Each has its own application process, fees, and review cadence.
Secure endorsement
Receive the endorsement letter confirming the innovation, viability and scalability tests are met.
Submit visa application
File the visa application within 3 months of endorsement and pay fees.
Launch and attend contact-point meetings
Attend endorsement body contact-point meetings at 12 and 24 months and provide evidence of progress.

Official application links

Where to actually go next

Government links only

These are the official pages to use for this route. Open them before preparing documents: the forms, fees, appointment systems, and sponsor steps can change without warning.

Official guidanceApplicant
Get endorsed ↗
Use this official guidance to choose an endorsing body and understand the endorsement step before applying.
UK Home Office · verified 1 June 2026
ApplyApplicant
Apply for the Innovator Founder visa ↗
Use this GOV.UK form to submit the visa application after receiving an endorsement letter.
UK Home Office · verified 1 June 2026

Fees and processing time

Indicative government fees: Endorsement body fees (varies by body) plus visa application fee and IHS £1,035/year.. A decision then typically takes 3 weeks – 8 weeks. Both change over time, so the dedicated pages below carry the itemised breakdown and the current official figures.

Processing time detail
Current decision windows from the issuing authority.

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Frequently asked questions

Is there a minimum investment for the Innovator Founder visa?+

No. Unlike the previous Innovator visa, there is no £50,000 minimum investment threshold. However, applicants still need to demonstrate realistic financial planning and access to funds appropriate to the business plan.

Can two founders apply together?+

Yes. Joint founders can apply under the same business provided each meets the eligibility criteria and each is individually endorsed.

How quickly can the Innovator Founder visa lead to permanent residence?+

Each grant is for 3 years and is extendable, and the route can lead to settlement after 3 years, subject to business progress checks at the 12- and 24-month contact-point meetings. Always verify the current settlement requirements on GOV.UK.

What English language level does the Innovator Founder visa require?+

The Innovator Founder visa requires English at CEFR Level B2, which is higher than the B1 standard on most UK work routes such as Skilled Worker and Scale-up. Check the accepted evidence on GOV.UK.

What is the most common reason Innovator Founder applications fail?+

The most common blockers are a business that lacks genuine novelty - a copy of an existing UK or foreign business rarely meets the innovation criterion - and a plan that does not show a realistic path to market and growth. Securing endorsement from an approved body is the critical bottleneck. Review the endorsement guidance on GOV.UK.

Need tailored advice?

We do not provide legal advice. For an application that depends on your exact circumstances, consult a regulator-listed immigration advisor.

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Overview

Eligibility

Typical criteria

✓Endorsement from an approved body confirming the business is innovative, viable and scalable.
✓English language at CEFR B2.
✓Financial requirement of £1,270 held for 28 days (unless exempt).

Common blockers

!Business lacks genuine novelty — a copy of an existing UK or foreign business rarely meets the innovation criterion.
!Plan does not show realistic path to market and growth.

Typical evidence

·Detailed business plan tailored to endorsement body's criteria.
·Evidence of any funding, team, or traction to date.
·Endorsement letter from an approved endorsing body.

Application pathway

Develop and validate the business concept

Most successful applicants spend months refining the business case and financial model before approaching an endorsing body.

Engage an approved endorsing body

Apply to one of the Home Office–approved endorsing bodies. Each has its own application process, fees, and review cadence.

Secure endorsement

Receive the endorsement letter confirming the innovation, viability and scalability tests are met.

Submit visa application

File the visa application within 3 months of endorsement and pay fees.

Launch and attend contact-point meetings

Attend endorsement body contact-point meetings at 12 and 24 months and provide evidence of progress.