Innovator Founder Visa
Embassy required
- Processing time
- 3 weeks
- Fee
- £1,274 to £1,590
- Validity
- 3 years
- Entry
- Multiple entry
Replaced Tier 1 Entrepreneur visa. Requires endorsement from approved UK body. Must have innovative, viable, scalable business idea. Can lead to settlement. Immigration Health Surcharge £1,035/year applies. Additional endorsing body fees £1,000-£15,000.
Eligibility
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Purpose of visit
Establishing or running innovative business in UK. Business must be endorsed as innovative, viable, and scalable.
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Financial
Must have £1,270 maintenance funds if applying from outside UK or in UK less than 12 months
Minimum funds: £1,270
Documents you need
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Passport
Blank pages required: 1; Validity months: 0
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Proof of funds
Accepted forms: Bank statements for 28 consecutive days; Minimum amount: £1,270
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Application form
Use the official application form for this route and complete all required fields.
Form name: Innovator Founder Visa Application; Form url: https://www.gov.uk/innovator-founder-visa
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Language proficiency
Accepted tests: IELTS for UKVI or other approved SELT; Minimum score: B2 CEFR
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Sponsorship certificate
Certificate name: Endorsement letter; Sponsor type: Approved endorsing body
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Business plan
Provide a business plan showing the activity, funding, market and expected costs.
Minimum investment: No fixed minimum (varies by endorsing body); Must include financials: Yes
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Health surcharge
Amount: £1,035 per year; Applicant category: Main applicant and dependants
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Endorsement letter
Endorsement type: Innovator Founder endorsement confirming innovative, viable, and scalable business; Endorsing body: UK-approved endorsing body (e.g., Tech Nation, Innovator International)
How to apply
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Document gathering
Develop business plan and apply to endorsing body for endorsement
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Online application
Apply online with endorsement letter reference
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Fee payment
Pay £1,274 (outside UK) or £1,590 (inside UK) plus £1,035/year IHS. Endorsing body fees £1,000-£15,000 separate.
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Biometrics
Provide biometric information
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Processing wait
Wait for decision