Innovator Founder Visa

Overview
The Innovator Founder visa is designed for experienced entrepreneurs looking to establish a new, innovative, and viable business in the UK. It replaced the previous Innovator visa and Start-up visa routes to offer more flexibility and clearer support for genuine founders.

✅ Key Features:

• Business Innovation: Your business idea must be innovative, viable, and scalable. It should be something different from anything else on the market.
• Endorsement Required: You must be endorsed by an approved endorsing body in the UK that supports innovative businesses.
• No Minimum Investment Requirement: Unlike the previous Innovator route, there is no set minimum investment requirement. However, you must demonstrate that you have sufficient funds to start and run the business.

🧾 Eligibility Criteria:
To qualify, you must:

• Be at least 18 years old
• Have a new business idea that is endorsed by a UK endorsing body
• Show that your idea is:
• Innovative – A genuine, original business idea that meets new or existing market needs.
• Viable – You have the necessary skills, knowledge, and market awareness to run the business.
• Scalable – There is evidence of potential job creation and growth into national and international markets.
• Be actively involved in developing the business.
• Meet the English language requirement at CEFR B2 level in reading, writing, speaking, and listening.
• Have sufficient maintenance funds (at least £1,270 in your bank account for 28 days before applying, unless you’re exempt).

📅 Visa Duration & Extension:

• Granted for 3 years
• You can apply to extend your visa or settle (apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain) after 3 years, subject to endorsement and business progress.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Family Members:
You can bring dependents (partner and children under 18) to the UK.

🔒 Restrictions:

• You cannot take employment outside your business (except under very limited circumstances).
• You must work for your endorsed business only.
• You cannot access public funds.

✅ Settlement / ILR Pathway:
The visa leads to settlement after 3 years, if:

• You remain endorsed by the same or a new endorsing body.
• You meet business and residency requirements.
• You meet the Life in the UK Test and English language requirements for ILR.