Innovator Founder Visa — Build an Innovative UK Business
The Innovator Founder visa is for ambitious entrepreneurs with a genuinely innovative, viable, and scalable business idea who want to establish and run a business in the UK.
Updated
What Is the Innovator Founder Visa?
The Innovator Founder visa replaced the former Innovator and Start-up routes. It is the UK’s principal immigration route for entrepreneurs who want to set up and run a new business that is innovative, viable, and scalable. It suits founders building a genuinely new product or service — typically in technology, but the route is open to any sector where the idea is original and has real growth potential.
If your business is more of an established or conventional operation than a scalable startup, the Self-Sponsorship route is often a better fit, and we will tell you so honestly at the outset.
The Endorsement Requirement
The defining feature of the Innovator Founder route is endorsement. Before you can apply, an approved endorsing body must assess your business idea and confirm that it is:
- Innovative — a genuine, original business plan that meets a new market need or uses a competitive advantage
- Viable — realistic and achievable based on your available resources and skills
- Scalable — evidence of structured planning and potential for growth into national and international markets, with job creation
Endorsement is not a one-off. Endorsing bodies hold contact-point meetings (usually at 12 and 24 months) to check that you are actively progressing your business. Maintaining your endorsement is a condition of staying on the route.
Eligibility at a Glance
- A genuine, original business plan that is innovative, viable, and scalable
- Endorsement from an approved endorsing body
- English language at B2 CEFR level, unless exempt
- Maintenance funds to support yourself
- A genuine intention to establish and run the business in the UK
Path to Settlement
The Innovator Founder visa is granted for 3 years and can be extended. Crucially, it offers an accelerated route to Indefinite Leave to Remain — you may qualify for settlement after just 3 years if your business meets the required criteria, compared with 5 years on most work routes.
Your partner and dependent children under 18 can apply as dependants, with the right to work and study in the UK.
How LegumLex Helps
Endorsement applications fail when the business case is not articulated clearly against the innovation, viability, and scalability criteria. We help you:
- Assess honestly whether the Innovator Founder route or Self-Sponsorship is the better fit
- Shape and document your business plan against the endorsement criteria
- Prepare for the endorsing body’s assessment and contact-point meetings
- Prepare and submit the visa application and any extension
- Plan your route to settlement from day one
All work is delivered on a fixed-fee basis, confirmed in writing. See our full fee schedule for indicative pricing.
Official Guidance
Common Questions
Is there a minimum investment requirement?
No. Since the route was reformed in 2023, there is no fixed minimum investment. However, your business must be innovative, viable, and scalable, and you must satisfy an approved endorsing body that it meets those criteria.
What does 'endorsement' mean?
Before applying, you must obtain an endorsement from an approved endorsing body, which assesses whether your business idea is innovative, viable, and scalable. Your endorsement is then reviewed again through contact-point meetings during your stay.
How quickly can I settle on the Innovator Founder visa?
You may be eligible to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain after 3 years, provided your business meets the required criteria and you satisfy the residence and other settlement requirements.
Can I do other work alongside my business?
Yes. Unlike the former Innovator visa, the Innovator Founder route allows you to take on employment outside your business, provided the role is skilled (at least RQF Level 3). Your primary focus must remain your business.
This page provides general information about Innovator Founder Visa and does not constitute legal advice. For advice specific to your circumstances, please contact us for a consultation.
Founding a Business in the UK?
We offer a short initial call, free of charge, to understand your enquiry and explain how we can help. Where detailed advice or a document review is required, we offer a paid consultation and confirm the fee beforehand.