The UK Innovator Founder Visa allows entrepreneurs from overseas to set up an innovative business in the UK.
For innovator visa guidance, call our immigration lawyers at 02033939272 or fill out our enquiry form.
UK Innovator Founder Visa is designed for experienced business persons and first-time start-up competitors who want to set up their business in the UK. This means that applicants do not have to show that they have a certain amount of money, which they will have to invest in the business. However, the applicant must have a sound and feasible business idea and create a business plan that has received endorsement from an endorsing body.
In order to qualify for a UK Innovator Founder Visa, applicants must have either developed or substantially contributed to their business concept. Innovator Founders must also aim to play a significant role in the daily administration and development of their business.
Tier 1 Innovator visa is initially granted for three years and upon meeting the criteria, may be eligible for indefinite leave to remain in the UK for a long term. It allows the holder of the Innovator Founder Visa to bring a companion and any dependent children under the age of 18 to the UK.
A Skilled Worker visa may also be available to you through self-sponsorship, which involves being sponsored by your own UK company if you are interested in establishing a new business in the UK or owning an existing business in the country.
To qualify for the UK Innovator Visa, you must meet the following criteria as specified by UK Visas and Immigration:
By satisfying each of these requirements, you can enhance your eligibility for the UK Innovator Founder Visa.
The specific requirements that must be met may differ based on the specific circumstances of your case. For expert guidance, it may be beneficial to consult with immigration lawyers.
The UK Innovator Founder Visa is most appropriate for entrepreneurs who have a business concept that they wish to establish in the UK. In order to obtain an endorsement for your business, it will be necessary to demonstrate that your business concept is scalable, viable, and innovative.
Your business strategy will be essential in obtaining this endorsement. Additionally, it is necessary to demonstrate that you made a substantial contribution to the business plan.
It is feasible to obtain an endorsement for membership in a company that has already been registered with Businesses House but has not yet initiated operations. To accomplish this, it will be necessary to illustrate the extent to which you made a meaningful contribution to the business plan.
The Expansion Worker Visa may be more appropriate for you if your business is already operational in another country and you wish to establish a presence in the UK by expanding into the UK market. The Skilled Worker route would be more appropriate for your circumstances if you are interested in joining an existing company.
There is no requirement to verify that you have an investment in order to obtain a visa endorsement; however, you will need to do so.
Some requirements must be met to demonstrate that your funding is not derived from illegal or inexplicable sources.
To apply for an Innovator Founder Visa, follow these steps:
Showcase your company’s innovativeness, feasibility, and scalability in a thorough and convincing business plan.
For endorsement, submit your business proposal to a UK-based endorsing body that is both appropriate and approved.
If you have received an endorsement letter, proceed to the online application form on the Home Office website.
Switching from a different visa within the UK or applying from outside the UK determines the specific form to be used.
You will be required to verify your identity after submitting your application form. You will receive guidance on the appropriate approach, which may involve:
The expenses for visa applications are as follows:
All applicants, including dependent family members, are subject to these fees.
For the duration of your visa, you are also required to pay the immigration healthcare surcharge. Currently, the annual cost per individual is £1,035.
You can guarantee the efficient and precise completion of your Innovator Founder Visa application by following these procedures.
Upon approval of your Innovator founder visa, you will be granted a maximum of three years of leave to remain in the UK in order to establish your intended business. Upon the conclusion of these three years, you will have the opportunity to request an extension if you want to remain. There is also no restriction on the number of extensions.
Your Innovator founding visa will be easily extended provided that:
In order to apply for an Innovator founder visa extension, you will be required to:
Applications for innovator founder visa extensions typically require approximately eight weeks to be processed; however, you may continue to operate your business while anticipating a decision from the Home Office.
The Innovator founder visa offers a straightforward route to settlement (Indefinite Leave to Remain – ILR) in the United Kingdom, which is one of its primary advantages.
With ILR, you will be able to permanently reside in the UK without being subject to immigration control. After an additional year, you will be able to petition for British citizenship.
In order to obtain ILR with an Innovator founder visa, it is necessary to reside and work in the United Kingdom for three years, and the criteria associated with the route must be satisfied. These are predicated on the success of your innovative company. This ensures that the petitioners’ businesses are operating as described and that they are genuine. The following are the critical factors to consider:
The Innovator Founder visa route offers many benefits, such as:
Rees Clayton is widely recognised as one of the leading immigration firms for Innovator Founders in the United Kingdom. The firm’s expertise is demonstrated by its immigration barristers, who have extensive experience in supporting innovator founders with their immigration needs.
Our immigration law solicitors support innovative foreign investors and their companies across every industry. Whether you are a start-up looking for the first time or an experienced businessman or woman planning to expand your small business, we understand the immigration opportunities for innovators. This profession will help you navigate through Home Office regulations as well as its policies.
At Rees Clayton, it is our policy to provide our services in a friendly, efficient, and effective way that will suit the client. The members of our team work diligently to ensure that every piece of information that is given to the clients is accurate, easy to understand, and delivered professionally.
To renew your Innovator Founder Visa, you must submit a reapplication before your current visa expires. This requires demonstrating that your business continues to meet the criteria of being innovative, viable, and scalable. You will also need to obtain a new endorsement or confirm that your current endorsement remains valid.
Yes, as a UK Innovator Founder Visa holder, you can bring your partner and dependent children to the UK. Each family member must submit a separate online application before traveling to the UK to join you.
The Innovator Founder Visa is designed for entrepreneurs who are actively involved in running their endorsed business. While you may engage in activities directly related to your business, your primary focus must remain on its development and management. Taking up employment outside your company is generally not permitted under this visa category.
