Who is this visa for?

This route is for a person seeking to establish a business in the UK based on an innovative, viable, and scalable business idea they have generated, or to which they have significantly contributed. The business must be something that is completely different to anything else on the UK market, and the applicant must have a key role in the day-to-day management, and development of the business.

What are the basic eligibility requirements?

Before you apply you need to have your business or business idea endorsed by an approved body, the list of which can be found here. The endorsing bodies all charge a fee of £1,000.00 to review your business plan, and give you a decision as to whether or not the business qualifies for endorsement.

If you are relying on endorsement under the new business criteria, the endorsement letter must confirm both of the following:

(a) The applicant’s business venture meets all of the requirements in the table below:

(b) you have either generated, or made a significant contribution to the ideas in your business plan; you will have a day-to-day role in carrying out the business plan; and you are either the sole founder or an instrumental member of the founding team.

If you want to set up a new business

You’ll need to prove to your endorsing body that you have enough funding to set up the business, and provide proof as to where the funding is from.

You do not need any investment funds if either:

• your business is already established and has been endorsed for an earlier visa
• you’ve changed your business and already agreed it with your endorsing body

You must also:

• Meet the English language requirement by passing an approved English language test with at least a CEFR level B2 in reading, writing, speaking, and listening or you must have a degree or academic qualification that was taught or researched in English and your qualification is recognised by Ecctis as being equivalent to a UK bachelor’s degree or higher. You’ll need to send a certificate from Ecctis confirming this when you apply. You will not need to meet these requirements if you are a national of a majority English speaking country as identified by UKVI.
• Provide your tuberculosis test results if you’re from a country where you have to take the test.
• Be at least 18 years old.
• Be able to prove that you have enough personal savings to support yourself while you’re in the UK. You need to have had at least £1,270.00 in your bank account for 28 consecutive days before you apply. You cannot use either of the following to support yourself:
  • money from your investment funds
  • money earned while working in the UK illegally

How long can I stay in the UK?

You can stay for 3 years if you either:

• come to the UK on an Innovator Founder visa
• switch to this visa from another visa while in the UK

You’ll need to meet with your endorsing body after 12 months and 24 months to show you ar making progress with your business. Your visa may be cut short if your endorsement is withdrawn by the endorsing body. If you want to stay longer, you must re-apply with a new endorsement before your current visa expires.