Innovator Founder Visa UK: 2025 Complete Guide

The Innovator Founder visa is the UK’s flagship route for entrepreneurs who want to build innovative, scalable businesses. It replaced the old Innovator and Start-up visas, offering founders the opportunity to stay in the UK for three years at a time and qualify for settlement after just three years if their business shows significant growth. This visa is designed for ambitious individuals who can create businesses with real impact in the UK and globally.

Who Can Apply?

This visa is aimed at entrepreneurs with business ideas that are:

• Innovative: genuinely different from existing market offerings

• Viable: supported by a credible plan and the founder’s skills

• Scalable: with realistic potential for job creation and international growth

Applicants must be at least 18 years old, meet English language requirements, and have enough personal funds to support themselves.

Endorsement Requirement

Before applying to the Home Office, you need an endorsement from an approved endorsing body. This endorsement confirms your business meets the innovation, viability, and scalability criteria. You’ll also have mandatory check-ins at 12 and 24 months to prove progress. Losing your endorsement could result in your visa being curtailed.

What Endorsers Assess

• Clear evidence of innovation compared to existing competitors

• A realistic and detailed business plan

• A growth strategy including revenue, customer base, and job creation

Most endorsing bodies charge fees for the initial endorsement and for the required check-ins.

Visa Fees and Processing Times

• Application from outside the UK: £1,274

• Application inside the UK (extension or switch): £1,590

• Healthcare surcharge payable per person for the length of stay

• Average processing time: around 3 weeks outside the UK, 8 weeks inside, with priority options in some cases

What You Can Do on This Visa

• Establish and run one or more businesses

• Work within your business as a director or self-employed person

• Take skilled employment outside your business (at RQF Level 3 or above)

• Bring eligible dependants (partner and children)

• Travel and re-enter the UK freely

Restrictions

• No access to most public funds

• Cannot work as a professional sportsperson

• Cannot take casual, unskilled jobs outside your business

Dependants

Partners and children can apply as dependants. They are allowed to live in the UK, and partners can work without restriction. Each dependant must meet financial requirements and pay visa fees and the healthcare surcharge.

Extension and Settlement

The visa is granted for a period of 3 years and can be extended in 3-year increments. There is no cap on extensions. After 3 years, you can apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) if:

• You meet the continuous residence requirements (no more than 180 days outside the UK per 12 months)

• You meet at least two growth criteria, such as:

  • £50,000 invested and spent in the business

  • Doubling your customer base beyond market averages

  • Intellectual property registered in the UK

  • Reaching £1 million in annual revenue, or £500,000 with £100,000 from exports

  • Creating at least 10 full-time jobs (or 5 with higher salaries) for UK settled workers

Passing the Life in the UK Test is also required.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Submitting an underdeveloped business plan without evidence of innovation

• Choosing endorsers without checking that they are officially approved

• Working in jobs that are below RQF Level 3, breaching visa conditions

• Delaying visa renewal until the last minute

• Failing to track progress towards ILR growth criteria from day one

Innovator Founder vs Other Routes

• Graduate Visa: allows open work but does not lead directly to settlement.

• Skilled Worker Visa: employer-sponsored; suitable for those seeking jobs rather than building a business.

• Innovator Founder Visa: ideal for entrepreneurs seeking to launch and scale their own ventures with a fast-track to settlement.

Timeline Overview

1. Pre-endorsement (4–8 weeks): Prepare business plan and evidence, approach the right endorsing body.

2. Endorsement: Receive endorsement letter and agree to mandatory check-ins.

3. Home Office application (3–8 weeks): Submit documents, pay fees, and prove identity.

4. Build your business: Start trading, meet your endorsing body at 12 and 24 months.

5. Apply for ILR after 3 years: Prove two growth criteria, submit an endorsement for settlement, and meet residence rules.

Final Thoughts

The Innovator Founder visa is one of the UK’s most attractive immigration routes for entrepreneurs. It combines flexibility, opportunities for skilled work, and a direct pathway to settlement in only three years. Success depends on careful preparation, strong endorsement, and consistent progress.

If you’re ready to apply for the Innovator Founder visa and want expert support with endorsements, applications, and settlement planning, click here to book a free consultation with Universitio.