Innovator Founder Visa Route 2026

The Innovator Founder visa route, introduced on 13 April 2023, provides an opportunity for entrepreneurs to establish and grow a business. Unlike older routes, there is no requirement to invest £50,000, making it more accessible for individuals with strong business ideas.

Innovator Founder Visa Guidance 2026

The Innovator Founder Visa is designed for entrepreneurs and experienced business professionals who want to launch or run a business. While there is no fixed investment requirement, applicants must present a business idea that is innovative, viable, and scalable.

A detailed business plan must be prepared and approved by an authorised endorsing body. This endorsement is essential for a successful application.

Requirements for Innovator Founder Visa

To qualify, you must meet the following conditions:

  • Be at least 18 years old
  • Obtain an endorsement letter from an approved endorsing body confirming:
    • You are a suitable candidate for endorsement
    • There are no concerns about the source of your business funds
  • There is no indication of illicit or unexplained wealth
  • Have a business plan that you have created or significantly contributed to
  • Play an active role in managing and developing the business
  • Attend at least two contact point meetings with the endorsing body
  • Be either the sole founder or a key member of the founding team
  • Present a business idea that is innovative, viable, and scalable
  • Ensure your endorsement letter is issued within 3 months before applying
  • Meet the English language requirement at CEFR Level B2
  • Show at least £1,270 in personal savings (if applying from outside the UK or in the UK for less than 12 months)
    • £285 for a partner
    • £315 for the first child
    • £200 for each additional child
  • Not fall under general grounds for refusal
  • Provide a TB certificate if required

Investment Funds Requirement for an Innovator Founder Visa

The endorsing body must confirm that:

  • You are a genuine and suitable applicant
  • Your investment funds are legitimate
  • There are no concerns about financial misconduct or unexplained wealth

Innovator Founder Visa Business Plan Requirement

Your application must include a strong and well-structured business plan. You must:

  • Have created or significantly contributed to the plan
  • Be actively involved in implementing the plan
  • Attend at least two contact point meetings during your visa period
  • Be either the sole founder or a key contributor to the business

Innovator Founder Visa Innovative, Viable and Scalable Business Requirement

Your business idea must meet all three criteria:

  • Innovation: A unique idea or clear competitive advantage
  • Viability: A realistic plan supported by your skills and experience
  • Scalability: Potential for growth, job creation, and expansion into wider markets

Same Business Endorsement Criteria

If you are continuing with an existing business previously endorsed under routes such as Innovator, Start-up, or Tier 1 (Graduate Entrepreneur), you may apply again.

To qualify, you must show:

  • Your business is registered with Companies House
  • You are listed as a director or member
  • The business is active and financially sustainable
  • You have made measurable progress
  • You are involved in daily operations
  • You attended at least 2 contact point meetings during your previous visa
  • You will continue attending at least two contact point meetings

List of Approved Innovator Founder Visa Endorsing Bodies

The Innovator Founder route opened on 13 April 2023.

Approved endorsing bodies are authorised to issue endorsement letters. Applicants who were endorsed before 13 April 2023 by legacy endorsing bodies can continue using their previous endorsement without needing a new one, provided it was issued before that date.

UK Innovator Founder Visa English Language Requirement

Applicants must demonstrate English proficiency at CEFR Level B2 in:

  • Reading
  • Writing
  • Speaking
  • Listening

Innovator Founder Visa Financial Requirement

Applicants must show at least £1,270 in personal savings.

  • Funds must be held for 28 consecutive days
  • The final day must fall within 31 days before the application date

Applying for an Innovator Founder Visa as Part of a Team

You can apply as part of a founding team rather than as a sole founder.

However:

  • You must play a key role in the business
  • Each applicant must obtain their own individual endorsement

Switching Into the Innovator Founder Visa Category

You can apply from outside the UK or switch from within the UK.

However, switching is not allowed if your last visa was under categories such as:

  • Visitor
  • Short-term Student
  • Parent of a Child Student
  • Seasonal Worker
  • Domestic Worker in a Private Household
  • Outside the Immigration Rules

Innovator Founder Visa Application Fee

The current application fees are:

  • £1,036 for applications made from outside the UK
  • £1,292 for applications made inside the UK

Innovator Founder Visa Validity Period

  • Initial visa duration: 3 years
  • Extensions: Available in further 3-year periods
  • No maximum stay limit

You may apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) after completing 3 years.

Innovator Founder Visa Conditions of Stay

As a visa holder:

  • You must actively work on your business
  • You may take additional employment if it is at least RQF Level 3

Innovator Founder Visa Contact Point Meetings

You must attend at least two contact point meetings with your endorsing body.

These meetings:

  • Assess your progress against the business plan
  • Confirm continued business activity and development

Failure to attend may result in visa cancellation.

Indefinite Leave to Remain as an Innovator Founder

To qualify for ILR after 3 years, you must:

  • Receive endorsement confirming significant business achievements
  • Be registered as a director or member of your business
  • Show that your business is active and sustainable for at least the next 12 months
  • Have played a key role in managing the business

You must also meet at least two of the following:

  • Invested at least £50,000 into the business
  • Created at least 5 full-time jobs with salaries of at least £25,000 per year
  • Created at least 10 full-time jobs (no salary requirement)
  • Doubled your customer base within the last 3 years
  • Conducted significant research and development and applied for intellectual property protection
  • Generated at least £1 million in annual revenue
  • Generated at least £500,000 in annual revenue, with £100,000 from exports

Additional requirements:

  • No more than 180 days outside the UK in any 12-month period
  • Meet English language and Life in the UK requirements
Drag
Scroll