Innovator Founder Visa UK

UK Immigration and Visa Advice INNOVATOR FOUNDER VISA - UNITED KINGDOM

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Innovator Founder Visa

The Innovator Founder visa is for experienced entrepreneurs who want to establish an innovative business in the UK.

Eligibility Requirements

To apply for the Innovator Founder Visa, your business idea must be:

  • New – You cannot join a business that is already trading.
  • Innovative – Your idea must be original and clearly different from anything currently available on the market.
  • Viable – You must demonstrate that your business has strong potential for success and growth.
  • Scalable – You must provide evidence of planning for job creation and expansion into national and international markets.

You must obtain an endorsement from an approved endorsing body confirming that your business idea meets these requirements.

Additional Eligibility Criteria

You must also:

  • Be at least 18 years old
  • Meet the English language requirement
  • Have sufficient personal savings to support yourself in the UK. You must hold at least £1,270 GBP in your bank account for 28 consecutive days before applying.

English Language Requirement

You must usually prove your knowledge of English in one of the following ways:

  • A UK school qualification
  • A degree from a UK institution
  • A degree taught in English from an institution outside the UK
  • Passing an approved English language test

Visa Validity

The visa is granted for 3 years if you:

  • Apply from outside the UK, or
  • Switch to the Innovator Founder visa from another visa while in the UK

You must attend progress meetings with your endorsing body after 12 months and 24 months.

Your visa may be shortened if your endorsement is withdrawn.

If you wish to remain in the UK beyond 3 years, you must apply again with a new endorsement before your current visa expires.

Visa Processing Times

After submitting your online application, verifying your identity, and providing all required documents, you will usually receive a decision within:

  • 3 weeks – if applying from outside the UK
  • 8 weeks – if applying from inside the UK

Application Fees

The application fee depends on where you apply from:

  • £1,274 per person – applying from outside the UK
  • £1,590 per person – applying to switch or extend from within the UK

Endorsement Fees

You must pay:

  • £1,000 for an endorsement from an approved endorsing body
  • £500 for each mandatory progress meeting (at least two during your stay)

These fees are paid directly to your endorsing body.

Approved Endorsing Bodies

The following organisations can issue endorsements for Innovator Founder visas and Scale-up licences:

  • UK Endorsing Services
  • Innovator International
  • Envestors Limited
  • The Global Entrepreneurs Programme (GEP)

The Global Entrepreneurs Programme (GEP)

The Global Entrepreneurs Programme is a government programme run by the UK Department for Business and Trade. It supports internationally mobile, tech-based entrepreneurs in scaling and internationalising innovation-led businesses from a UK global headquarters.

Please note: GEP only provides visa endorsements to founders who have already been invited to participate in its programme.

UK Immigration Advice

In 2026, contact our UK Immigration Lawyers for assistance with the Innovator Founder Visa UK, in our offices in Sydney, Australia, Singapore, Hong Kong and London, UK. In addition, our United Kingdom qualified Lawyers assist with:

  • Visa Assessment
  • Innovator Founder visa process
  • Funding for the Innovator Visa
  • Business plan, establishing business in the UK, Company registration, tax and accounting
  • Documentation needed including Qualification certificates, Bank statements
  • Endorsement from a UK organisation
  • English language requirement
  • Filling in UK Visa Application forms
  • Criminal Record Certificates
  • Book an Appointment at a UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services (UKVCAS) service point for biometrics
  • UK Government fee, Healthcare surcharge and lawyers fees

VisaConnect London, UK - Office

Contact VisaConnect's Consultants at our London, UK office below:

71-75 Shelton Street
Covent Garden
London
WC2H 9JQ
United Kingdom

Telephone: (+44) 20 3807 8879