Innovator Founder Visa 👇

🏢 1. What It Is The Innovator Founder Visa is the UK's main immigration route for experienced entrepreneurs who want to set up and run a new, innovative business in the UK. This visa replaced the previous Start-up and Innovator visa routes.

The visa is granted for three years and is a direct route to settlement (Indefinite Leave to Remain) in the UK. A key feature of this route is that the business idea must be endorsed by an approved body, which assesses its potential before the visa application can be made.

📜 2. Who Can Apply This visa is for individuals with a genuine and original business idea that is different from anything else on the market. An applicant must:

• Have a business idea that is innovative, viable, and scalable.
• Intend to have a key role in the day-to-day management and development of the business.
• Be at least 18 years old.

The applicant can be a sole founder or an instrumental member of a founding team. They are also permitted to do skilled work outside of their own business.

🔑 3. Key Requirements The application process is rigorous and depends heavily on the business idea itself. The main requirements are:

• Endorsement Letter: This is the most crucial requirement. The applicant must first get their business idea assessed and approved by a Home Office-approved Endorsing Body. The endorsing body must confirm in a letter that the business idea is innovative, viable, and scalable.
• English Language Requirement: The applicant must prove they can read, write, speak, and understand English to a minimum of CEFR Level B2.
• Financial Requirement: The applicant must show they have at least £1,270 in personal savings, held for 28 consecutive days, to support themselves upon arrival in the UK. There is no longer a specific investment fund requirement; the endorsing body will assess if the applicant has sufficient funds to execute their business plan.
• Regular Check-ins: After getting the visa, the holder must stay in contact with their endorsing body, with mandatory "checkpoint" meetings at 12 and 24 months to show they are making significant progress with their business plan.