How to relocate to the UK via the Innovator Founder visa

How to relocate to the UK via the Innovator Founder visa

1. Introduction: why the Innovator Founder route matters

Relocate to the UK via the Innovator Founder visa is a leading route for entrepreneurs who want to build and scale a business in Britain.

The Innovator Founder visa offers entrepreneurs a leading pathway to establish and scale a business in the UK. Introduced in April 2023, it replaced the old Innovator and Start-up visas, merging their features into one streamlined route. Designed for founders with genuinely innovative, viable, and scalable ideas, it allows full control of the business and provides a direct path to settlement after three years.

2.Who qualifies for the Innovator Founder visa UK

Applicants must be endorsed by a Home Office–approved endorsing body, which confirms the business meets three key tests:

• Innovation: The idea must be genuinely new and different from existing businesses in the market.
• Viability: The business plan must be realistic, achievable, and backed by the founder’s skills and experience.
• Scalability: The business must demonstrate potential for growth, including job creation and wider market reach.

The applicant must be a founder or co-founder, with an active role in the day-to-day management and development of the business. Passive investors are not eligible.

3. Choosing the right endorsing body

The Home Office approves a small number of endorsing bodies to review and support Innovator Founder applications. Each has different specialisms (e.g. tech, social enterprise, life sciences). Choose one that understands your sector and has experience backing international entrepreneurs.

4. Funding rules under the Innovator Founder visa UK

Key update: There is no longer a minimum £50,000 investment requirement. Instead, applicants must show that their business plan is financially viable and has access to sufficient resources to succeed.

Maintenance funds (must be held for at least 28 consecutive days unless the applicant has already been in the UK lawfully for 12+ months):

• £1,270 – main applicant
• £285 – dependant partner
• £315 – first child
• £200 – each additional child

5. Preparing your endorsement application

Your endorsement application should include:

• A detailed business plan showing innovation, viability, and scalability.
• Market research and financial forecasts.
• Evidence of your genuine founder status — your role in conceiving and leading the business.
• Supporting documents such as pitch deck, CV, or letters of recommendation (if requested).

The business plan is the core document — it must be professional, realistic, and credible.

6. Developing a credible business plan

Endorsing bodies look for:

• A strong value proposition and competitive advantage.
• Clear market demand and revenue model.
• Financial forecasts with risk assessment and contingency planning.
• A timeline showing how the business can scale within three years.

7. Submitting your visa application online

Once endorsed, you’ll submit your visa application online, either from outside or (if eligible) from inside the UK. In-country applicants must already hold a visa that allows switching, such as certain Start-up, Skilled Worker, or Tier 1 Graduate Entrepreneur categories.

8. Paying fees and health surcharge

Visa application fees

• £1,274 – applying from outside the UK
• £1,590 – applying from inside the UK
  (fees are subject to change – always check the official GOV.UK website for the latest figures)

Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS)

• £1,035 per year, payable at the time of application

9. Biometric appointment and documents

Applicants will normally need to:

• Provide biometrics (photograph and fingerprints) at a visa centre.
• Submit core documents:
• Passport or travel document.
• Endorsement letter.
• Proof of English language ability (B2 CEFR). The standard method is a Secure English Language Test (SELT), such as IELTS for UKVI, where a minimum score of 5 in each of the four components (reading, writing, speaking, listening) is required.
• Evidence of maintenance funds (if required).

Bank statements showing £50,000 investment are no longer required.

10. Entry clearance and travel preparations

Key update: The UK is transitioning to a digital-first immigration system. Successful applicants will usually receive a digital eVisa linked to their passport. Some nationalities may still be issued a vignette sticker during the transition period.

Check entry dates carefully and make travel plans accordingly.

11. Initial UK arrival and settling in

Key update: The UK is phasing out physical Biometric Residence Permits (BRPs). Most new Innovator Founder migrants now hold a digital immigration status (UKVI account). This online record is used to prove status to employers, landlords, and banks.

12. Visa duration and extension path

The visa is granted for three years. Before expiry, applicants can extend their stay if:

• Their business has made significant progress; and
• The endorsing body provides a fresh endorsement confirming ongoing viability and scalability.

13. Settlement after three years on the Innovator Founder visa UK

After three years, applicants may apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) if they meet the following:

• Continuous residence in the UK with no excessive absences.
• English language requirement and Life in the UK test
• The endorsing body confirms the business is active, trading, and successful.

In addition, at least two of the following Home Office criteria must be met:

• At least £50,000 invested in the business.
• Number of customers has doubled in three years.
• At least 10 full-time jobs created for settled workers.
• At least 5 full-time jobs created for settled workers, each paying £25,000+.
• Business revenue has doubled in three years.
• Business revenue of £1 million in the last year.
• Business revenue of £500,000 in the last year, with £100,000 from exports.

14. Challenges and common pitfalls

Common reasons for refusal or rejection include:

• Weak or unrealistic business plan.
• Failure to show genuine innovation.
• Poor choice of endorsing body.
• Lack of founder-level involvement.
• Missing extension or settlement deadlines.
• Insufficient maintenance funds.
• Underestimating the cost of operating in the UK.

15. How LawSentis can guide your journey

At LawSentis, we support founders through every stage of the Innovator Founder visa:

• Selecting the right endorsing body.
• Crafting a compliant, compelling business plan.
• Preparing endorsement applications and documents.
• Reviewing visa applications to avoid errors.
• Assisting with biometric enrolment and eVisa setup.
• Supporting re-endorsement and ILR preparation after three years.

Our goal is to make your relocation smooth, compliant, and focused on long-term success in the UK.