You can apply for an Innovator Founder visa if: you want to set up and run an innovative business in the UK - it must be something that’s different from anything else on the market your business or business idea has been endorsed by an approved body, also known as an endorsing body you meet the other eligibility requirements This visa used to be called the Innovator visa. Eligibility You must be able to show that your business idea is: new - you cannot join a business that is already trading innovative - you must have an original business idea which is different from anything else on the market viable, with potential for growth scalable - you must give evidence of planning that includes creating jobs and growing into national and international markets You’ll need to get an endorsing body to assess that your business idea meets the requirements. Knowledge of English You must be able to speak, read, write and understand English. You’ll usually need to prove your knowledge of English when you apply. If you’re not eligible for an Innovator Founder visa You may be eligible for another type of visa to work in the UK . How long you can stay You can stay for 3 years if you either: come to the UK on an Innovator Founder visa switch to this visa from another visa while in the UK You’ll need to meet with your endorsing body after 12 months and 24 months to show you’re making progress with your business. Your visa may be cut short if your endorsement is withdrawn by the endorsing body. If you want to stay longer, you must re-apply with a new endorsement before your current visa expires. If you want to stay longer in the UK You can apply to extend your stay for another 3 years when your visa is due to expire. There’s no limit on the number of times you can extend. You may be able to apply for settlement once you’ve been in the UK for 3 years. How to apply You must apply online. How you apply depends on whether you’re: outside the UK and are coming to the UK inside the UK and extending your current visa inside the UK and switching from a different visa Your partner and children can apply to join you or stay in the UK as your ‘dependants’ if they’re eligible. How long it takes As part of your application, you’ll need to prove your identity and provide your documents. You may need to allow extra time if you need an appointment to do this. You’ll find out if you need one when you start your application. Getting a decision Once you’ve applied online, proved your identity and provided your documents, you’ll usually get a decision on your visa within: 3 weeks, if you’re outside the UK 8 weeks, if you’re inside the UK You may be able to pay to get a faster decision . Fees How much you pay for an application depends on where you apply from. It costs £1,191 per person if you apply outside the UK. It costs £1,486 per person if you apply to extend or switch your visa in the UK. Healthcare surcharge You’ll also have to pay the healthcare surcharge as part of your application. Check how much you’ll have to pay before you apply. If you’re applying to extend or switch in the UK You’ll also need to have your biometric information (fingerprints and a photo) taken - there’s no fee for this. What you can and cannot do With an Innovator Founder visa you can: set up a business or several businesses work for your business - this includes being employed as a director, or self-employed as a member of a business partnership do work outside your business, as long as it’s ‘skilled work’ - for example, a job on the Skilled Worker eligible occupations list or a job needing at least a level 3 qualification bring your partner and children with you as your ‘dependants’ , if they’re eligible travel abroad and return to the UK apply to settle permanently in the UK (also known as ‘indefinite leave to remain’) if you’ve lived in the UK for 3 years and meet the other eligibility requirements You cannot: apply for most benefits (‘ public funds ’) work as a professional sportsperson, for example a sports coach If your application is successful, you’ll get a full list of what you can and cannot do with an Innovator Founder visa.

Before you apply you need to have your business or business idea assessed by an endorsing body . They will provide you with an endorsement letter if your business is eligible. You must also: meet the English language requirement be at least 18 years old be able to prove that you have enough personal savings to support yourself while you’re in the UK Read the specific requirements for the Innovator Founder visa before you apply. If you want to set up a new business You’ll need to prove to your endorsing body that you have enough funding and where it’s from. You do not need any investment funds if either: your business is already established and has been endorsed for an earlier visa you’ve changed your business and already agreed it with your endorsing body Supporting yourself You need to have had at least £1,270 in your bank account for 28 consecutive days before you either: apply for an Innovator Founder visa apply to extend your Innovator Founder visa or switch to an Innovator Founder visa if you’ve been in the UK for less than a year You cannot use either of the following to support yourself: money from your investment funds money earned while working in the UK illegally Read the guidance on financial evidence for more information about the money you need and how to prove it.

You’ll usually need to prove your knowledge of the English language when you apply, unless you did this in a previous successful visa application. Level of English You must prove you can read, write, speak and understand English to a level B2 on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages ( CEFR ) scale . You can prove your knowledge of English by: passing a Secure English Language Test ( SELT ) from an approved provider having a GCSE, A level, Scottish National Qualification level 4 or 5, Scottish Higher or Advanced Higher in English gained through study at a UK school that you began when you were under 18 having a degree-level academic qualification that was taught in English - if you studied abroad, you’ll need to apply for confirmation through Ecctis (formerly UK NARIC ) that your qualification is equivalent to a UK bachelor’s degree, master’s degree or PhD Who does not need to prove their knowledge of English You do not need to prove your knowledge of English if you’re a national of one of the following countries or territories: Antigua and Barbuda Australia the Bahamas Barbados Belize the British overseas territories Canada Dominica Grenada Guyana Jamaica Malta New Zealand St Kitts and Nevis St Lucia St Vincent and the Grenadines Trinidad and Tobago USA

Documents you’ll need to apply

When you apply you need to provide an ‘endorsement letter’ to show that an endorsing body has assessed your business or business idea. You also need to provide: a valid passport or other document that shows your identity and nationality bank statements showing you’ve had at least £1,270 in savings in your bank account for 28 consecutive days before you apply proof that you meet the English language requirement your tuberculosis test results if you’re from a country where you have to take the test If your documents are not in English or Welsh you’ll also need to provide a certified translation . You’ll need a blank page in your passport for your visa if you’re: from outside the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein from the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein but do not have a biometric passport with a chip in it You may need to provide additional documents depending on your circumstances.

Apply from outside the UK

You must apply online for an Innovator Founder visa. Check which documents you’ll need to apply . Proving your identity and supplying supporting documents As part of your application, you’ll need to prove your identity. How you do this depends on where you’re from and what type of passport you have. You’ll either: use the ‘UK Immigration: ID Check’ app to scan your identity document - you’ll also create or sign into your UK Visas and Immigration ( UKVI ) account have your fingerprints and photo (biometric information) taken at a visa application centre You’ll be told what you need to do when you apply. If you do need an appointment: the centre may need to keep your passport and documents while they process your application you may have to travel to get to your nearest visa application centre (this could be in another country) Apply for an Innovator Founder visa Once you’ve started your application, you can save your form and complete it later. Start now Continue your application You can sign back into your application if you’ve saved it. Find out how to sign in to your account . How long it takes to get a decision Once you’ve applied online, proved your identity and provided your documents, you’ll usually get a decision within 3 weeks. You’ll be contacted if your application will take longer, for example: if you’re applying with a family member who needs an appointment but you do not if your supporting documents need to be verified if you need to attend an interview because of your personal circumstances, for example if you have a criminal conviction You may be able to pay to get a faster decision . After you apply If you need to change something in your application after you’ve sent it contact UK Visas and Immigration ( UKVI ) . You can ask to cancel your application . You’ll only get your fee refunded if UKVI has not started processing your application. You’ll get an email or a letter containing the decision on your application . This will explain what you need to do next.

You can usually apply to extend an Innovator Founder visa if both of the following apply: you meet the eligibility requirements you’re still running a business in the UK or want to set up a new one Your partner or child’s visa will not automatically extend if you extend yours. If they do not extend their visa, it will be valid until its original end date. They can either apply at the same time as you, or at any time before their current visa expires. You should apply before your current visa expires. You need to have your business or business idea assessed by an endorsing body when you extend your visa. Fees Check how much money you’ll need to extend your visa and support yourself while you’re in the UK. You’ll also need to have your biometric information (fingerprints and a photo) taken - there’s no fee for this. Proving your identity and supplying supporting documents As part of your application, you’ll need to prove your identity. How you do this depends on where you’re from and what type of passport you have. You’ll either: use the ‘UK Immigration: ID Check’ app to scan your identity document - you’ll also create or sign into your UK Visas and Immigration ( UKVI ) account have your fingerprints and photo (biometric information) taken at a visa application centre You’ll be told what you need to do when you apply. If you do need an appointment: the centre may need to keep your passport and documents while they process your application you may have to travel to get to your nearest visa application centre (this could be in another country) Apply in the UK You must apply online. Once you’ve started your application, you can save your form and complete it later. Start now You must not travel outside of the UK, Ireland, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man until you get a decision. Your application will be withdrawn if you do. Apply outside the UK You can apply online to extend an Innovator Founder visa you’ve had in the last year. You may also be able to apply at a visa application centre. You can apply from any country as long as you’ve been given permission to live there for at least 6 months. Check if there’s a visa application centre that you can travel to that accepts Innovator Founder visa applications. Continue your application You can sign back into your application if you’ve saved it. Find out how to sign in to your account . How long it takes to get a decision You’ll usually get a decision within 8 weeks of your application date. You’ll be contacted if your application will take longer, for example: if you’re applying with a family member who needs an appointment but you do not if your supporting documents need to be verified if you need to attend an interview because of your personal circumstances, for example if you have a criminal conviction You may be able to pay to get a faster decision . After you apply If you need to change something in your application after you’ve sent it contact UK Visas and Immigration ( UKVI ) . You can ask to cancel your application . You’ll only get your fee refunded if UKVI has not started processing your application. You’ll get an email or a letter containing the decision on your application . This will explain what you need to do next. Once you’ve applied you can stay in the UK until you’ve been given a decision, as long as you applied before your last visa expired.

You might be able to apply to change (‘switch’) to an Innovator Founder visa if you’re already in the UK on a different type of visa. Your partner or child’s visa will not automatically switch to this visa if you switch yours. If they do not switch their visa, it will be valid until its original end date. They can either apply at the same time as you, or at any time before their current visa expires. You should apply before your current visa expires. Eligibility You can apply to switch to this visa if you meet the eligibility requirements . If you’re currently in the UK on a Student visa, you must also have either: completed the course you were sponsored to study studied for a PhD for at least 24 months Who cannot apply to switch to this visa You cannot switch to this visa if you have one of the following: a visit visa a short-term student visa a Parent of a Child Student visa a seasonal worker visa a domestic worker in a private household visa immigration bail permission to stay outside the immigration rules , for example on compassionate grounds How long you can stay You can stay for 3 years after switching to an Innovator Founder visa. There’s no limit on the number of times you can extend your visa. How much it costs Check the visa application fees . If you’ve been in the UK for less than 1 year, you’ll also need to prove you have enough money to support yourself . Proving your identity and supplying supporting documents As part of your application, you’ll need to prove your identity. How you do this depends on where you’re from and what type of passport you have. You’ll either: use the ‘UK Immigration: ID Check’ app to scan your identity document - you’ll also create or sign into your UK Visas and Immigration ( UKVI ) account have your fingerprints and photo (biometric information) taken at a visa application centre You’ll be told what you need to do when you apply. If you do need an appointment: the centre may need to keep your passport and documents while they process your application you may have to travel to get to your nearest visa application centre (this could be in another country) Apply to switch to an Innovator Founder visa You must apply online. Once you’ve started your application, you can save your form and complete it later. Start now You must not travel outside of the UK, Ireland, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man until you get a decision. Your application will be withdrawn if you do. Continue your application You can sign back into your application if you’ve saved it. Find out how to sign in to your account . How long it takes to get a decision You’ll usually get a decision within 8 weeks of your application date. You’ll be contacted if your application will take longer, for example: if you’re applying with a family member who needs an appointment but you do not if your supporting documents need to be verified if you need to attend an interview because of your personal circumstances, for example if you have a criminal conviction You may be able to pay to get a faster decision . After you apply If you need to change something in your application after you’ve sent it contact UK Visas and Immigration ( UKVI ) . You can ask to cancel your application . You’ll only get your fee refunded if UKVI has not started processing your application. You’ll get an email or a letter containing the decision on your application . This will explain what you need to do next. Once you’ve applied you can stay in the UK until you’ve been given a decision, as long as you applied before your last visa expired.

Innovator Founder visa

Overview

You can apply for an Innovator Founder visa if:

you want to set up and run an innovative business in the UK - it must be something that’s different from anything else on the market
your business or business idea has been endorsed by an approved body, also known as an endorsing body
you meet the other eligibility requirements

This visa used to be called the Innovator visa.

Eligibility

You must be able to show that your business idea is:

new - you cannot join a business that is already trading
innovative - you must have an original business idea which is different from anything else on the market
viable, with potential for growth
scalable - you must give evidence of planning that includes creating jobs and growing into national and international markets

You’ll need to get an endorsing body to assess that your business idea meets the requirements.

Knowledge of English

You must be able to speak, read, write and understand English. You’ll usually need to prove your knowledge of English when you apply.

If you’re not eligible for an Innovator Founder visa

You may be eligible for another type of visa to work in the UK.

How long you can stay

You can stay for 3 years if you either:

come to the UK on an Innovator Founder visa
switch to this visa from another visa while in the UK

You’ll need to meet with your endorsing body after 12 months and 24 months to show you’re making progress with your business. Your visa may be cut short if your endorsement is withdrawn by the endorsing body. If you want to stay longer, you must re-apply with a new endorsement before your current visa expires.

If you want to stay longer in the UK

You can apply to extend your stay for another 3 years when your visa is due to expire. There’s no limit on the number of times you can extend.

You may be able to apply for settlement once you’ve been in the UK for 3 years.

How to apply

You must apply online.

How you apply depends on whether you’re:

outside the UK and are coming to the UK
inside the UK and extending your current visa
inside the UK and switching from a different visa

Your partner and children can apply to join you or stay in the UK as your ‘dependants’ if they’re eligible.

How long it takes

As part of your application, you’ll need to prove your identity and provide your documents.

You may need to allow extra time if you need an appointment to do this. You’ll find out if you need one when you start your application.

Getting a decision

Once you’ve applied online, proved your identity and provided your documents, you’ll usually get a decision on your visa within:

3 weeks, if you’re outside the UK
8 weeks, if you’re inside the UK

You may be able to pay to get a faster decision.

Fees

How much you pay for an application depends on where you apply from.

It costs £1,191 per person if you apply outside the UK.

It costs £1,486 per person if you apply to extend or switch your visa in the UK.

Healthcare surcharge

You’ll also have to pay the healthcare surcharge as part of your application.

Check how much you’ll have to pay before you apply.

If you’re applying to extend or switch in the UK

You’ll also need to have your biometric information (fingerprints and a photo) taken - there’s no fee for this.

What you can and cannot do

With an Innovator Founder visa you can:

set up a business or several businesses
work for your business - this includes being employed as a director, or self-employed as a member of a business partnership
do work outside your business, as long as it’s ‘skilled work’ - for example, a job on the Skilled Worker eligible occupations list or a job needing at least a level 3 qualification
bring your partner and children with you as your ‘dependants’, if they’re eligible
travel abroad and return to the UK
apply to settle permanently in the UK (also known as ‘indefinite leave to remain’) if you’ve lived in the UK for 3 years and meet the other eligibility requirements

You cannot:

apply for most benefits (‘public funds’)
work as a professional sportsperson, for example a sports coach

If your application is successful, you’ll get a full list of what you can and cannot do with an Innovator Founder visa.

View a printable version of the whole guide

Innovator Founder visa

Overview

Eligibility

Knowledge of English

If you’re not eligible for an Innovator Founder visa

How long you can stay

If you want to stay longer in the UK

How to apply

How long it takes

Getting a decision

Fees

Healthcare surcharge

If you’re applying to extend or switch in the UK

What you can and cannot do

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Innovator Founder visa

Overview

Eligibility

Knowledge of English

If you’re not eligible for an Innovator Founder visa

How long you can stay

If you want to stay longer in the UK

How to apply

How long it takes

Getting a decision

Fees

Healthcare surcharge

If you’re applying to extend or switch in the UK

What you can and cannot do

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Is this page useful?

Help us improve GOV.UK

Help us improve GOV.UK