Innovator Founder Visa UK
You can apply for an Innovator Founder visa if you have an innovative, viable, and scalable business idea and want to set up an innovative business in the UK.
An essential part of the Innovator Founder visa application is getting endorsed by an approved body, which will assess the business idea for innovation, viability, and scalability.
Whether you want to apply, switch, or extend your Innovator Founder visa, call our business immigration solicitors in London at 0203 959 7755 for legal help.
Table of Contents
- What is an Innovator Founder visa?
- Innovator Founder visa requirements
- English language requirement for Innovator Founder visa
- Innovator Founder visa document checklist
- Innovator Founder visa business plan
- Innovator Founder visa endorsing bodies
- Innovator Founder visa endorsement criteria
- Innovator Founder visa process
- Innovator Founder visa application fees
- Innovator Founder visa processing time
- How long you can stay on a UK Innovator Founder visa?
- Role of an immigration solicitor
- How to contact Moeen & Co. Solicitors?
- FAQs about the Innovator Founder visa
What is an Innovator Founder visa?
The Innovator Founder visa formally known as the "Innovator visa" is for experienced entrepreneurs looking to set up and run an innovative business in the UK.
The Innovator Founder visa is for entrepreneurs with a new, innovative, viable, and scalable business idea that brings creativity and growth to the UK market.
You must have a new unique business idea, meaning it cannot be a business that is already trading.
Innovator Founder visa requirements
To be eligible to apply for a UK Innovator Founder visa, you must:
- be at least 18 years old.
- have a new business idea that is innovative, viable, and scalable.
- get an endorsement from an approved endorsing body.
- meet the English language requirement.
- have sufficient personal savings to support yourself in the UK.
You must also meet all the other eligibility requirements depending on your circumstances. Please contact us for an initial assessment to determine your eligibility, and to discuss the options.
English language requirement for Innovator Founder visa
When applying for a UK Innovator Founder visa, you must prove that you can read, write, speak, and understand English to at least level B2 on the CEFR scale.
It is essential to demonstrate your proficiency in English, as this ensures effective communication and integration within the UK. Failing to do so can result in your application being refused.
You can prove your proficiency in English by passing a recognised English language test such as the IELTS test. You can also prove your knowledge of English if you have a degree or academic qualification that was taught or researched in English.
You do not need to prove your knowledge of English or take a test if you are over 65 or a citizen of a country where English is the main language.
Innovator Founder visa document checklist
You must include all the necessary documents in the correct format when applying for an Innovator Founder visa. The Home Office requires specific documentation to assess your eligibility and determine if you meet the requirements for the visa.
When you apply you'll need to provide:
- A valid passport or travel document.
- Endorsement letter from an approved endorsing body.
- A comprehensive business plan.
- Provide bank statements to show you have enough money (at least £1,270) to support yourself.
- Proof that you meet the English language requirement.
- Tuberculosis (TB) test results (if applicable).
Remember, the document checklist provided above is not exhaustive, and additional documents may be required based on your personal circumstances. Properly preparing your documentation is key to the success of your application. Contact us today to get a comprehensive list of supporting documents.
Innovator Founder visa business plan
For a UK Innovator Founder visa, your business plan must:
- Demonstrate innovation, viability, and scalability.
- Include detailed market research.
- Provide financial projections.
- Outline a clear growth strategy.
- Show how your business will benefit the UK economy.
Innovator Founder visa endorsing bodies
The organisations mentioned in this section are authorised to issue endorsements for Innovator Founder visas and scale-up businesses.
- Envestors Limited
- UK Endorsing Services
- Innovator International
- The Global Entrepreneurs Programme (GEP)
Before applying for a UK Innovator Founder visa, your business or business idea must be evaluated by one of the endorsing bodies listed above.
Innovator Founder visa endorsement criteria
The endorsing body is key in the Innovator Founder visa process. Applicants need to know the innovator visa endorsement criteria to set up a business in the UK. The focus is on the originality, viability, and growth potential of the business plan.
We help our clients understand these criteria. This lets them make a strong case for endorsement. The endorsing body checks if the applicant has the skills and knowledge to start a business that will boost the UK economy.
Understanding the endorsing body's role
Endorsing bodies have strict rules to follow when reviewing applications. They look at several things:
- Assessment of the business idea's originality.
- Evaluation of the proposed market and growth potential.
- Examination of the applicant's professional background and expertise.
- Determination of the feasibility of the business plan.
At Moeen & Co. Solicitors, we help clients find the right endorsing bodies for their goals. We make sure all requirements for endorsement are met. This increases the chance of a successful application.
Innovator Founder visa process
The innovator visa process has several key stages. These steps help entrepreneurs set up their businesses in the UK.
- Develop a Business Idea: Create an innovative business idea that meets market needs.
- Secure Endorsement: Get approval from an endorsing body, which is crucial for moving forward.
- Complete Application: Fill in and submit the visa application form online, including all needed documents and paying relevant fees to prevent delays.
- Prepare for Interviews: Be prepared for possible interviews or extra information requests, showing your commitment and readiness.
Each step is important in the innovator visa process. Going through them well can make the process smoother. At Moeen & Co. Solicitors, we offer full support at every application stage. For help, call us at 0203 959 7755.
Innovator Founder visa application fees
The Innovator Founder visa application fee varies depending on where you apply from.
The Innovator Founder visa fee is £1,191 per person if you apply outside the UK, and it costs £1,486 if you apply to extend or switch your visa in the UK.
Innovator Founder visa processing time
The UK Innovator Founder visa processing time from inside the UK is about 8 weeks. If applying from outside the UK, expect a 3-week processing time.
You may be able to apply for a U K Innovator Founder visa using Priority Service to get a faster decision. You’ll need to pay a Priority Service fee in addition to the application fee.
The processing time for a UK visa application can vary depending on several factors, including the type of visa application, the country from which you are applying, and the volume of applications being processed by the UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI).
All the applicants are advised to check the latest information about UK visa application processing time on the official UK government website either applying from inside the UK or outside the UK.
How long you can stay on a UK Innovator Founder visa?
The UK Innovator Founder visa allows holders to stay in the UK for up to 3 years initially. If you wish to stay longer, you can apply to extend your visa for another 3 years before it expires.
There is no limit to the number of times you can extend this visa. After 3 years in the UK on this visa, you may also be eligible to apply for settlement (also known as indefinite leave to remain), provided you meet the relevant criteria.
Role of an immigration solicitor
Navigating the UK visa application process can be complex and stressful, especially if English is not your first language or if you are unfamiliar with UK immigration laws. Hiring an immigration solicitor provides peace of mind, knowing that you have professional support to guide you through every step of the process.
Here are some ways in which our team of highly experienced UK immigration solicitors can assist:
- Legal Expertise: Our immigration solicitors have in-depth knowledge of UK immigration laws, policies, and procedures. We can assess your eligibility for different types of visas, advise you on the most suitable visa option, and ensure that your application complies with all relevant legal requirements.
- Consultation and Advice: If you are uncertain about the visa type that best suits your needs or require guidance on the application process, we offer consultations to answer your questions.
- Application Preparation: Our immigration solicitors will fill in your UK visa application forms accurately and submit them.
- Supporting Documents: We will advise you on the required documents to be submitted in support of your visa application and ensure that they meet the specific requirements of the visa category you are applying for.
- Legal Representation: We can represent you in communications with the UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) department, embassy, or consulate handling your application. We can correspond with immigration authorities on your behalf, respond to requests for additional information, and address any concerns or queries raised during the processing of your application.
- Appeals and Administrative Reviews: If your visa application is refused, our immigration solicitors can help you explore options for appealing the decision or requesting an administrative review. We can prepare and submit appeal or review applications, gather additional evidence to support your case and represent you at appeal hearings or review proceedings.
If you have any questions or want assistance with your UK visa application, please call our expert immigration solicitors based in London at 0203 959 7755. Alternatively, fill in our online contact form, and one of our UK immigration experts will get back in touch with you soon!
How to contact Moeen & Co. Solicitors?
If you have questions or need help with your UK Innovator Founder visa application, you can contact our team of immigration solicitors in Hayes, London by calling 0203 959 7755. Alternatively, you can fill in our online contact form and we will get back to you as soon as possible.
There are several ways to contact our solicitors based in Hayes, London:
- Phone - Call us on 0203 959 7755
- Email us - info@moeenco.com
- Online - Fill in our online enquiry form
- Visit our office - Room 1, The Winning Box, 27-37 Station Road, Hayes UB3 4DX
We are located near Hayes and Harlington Station on Hayes High Street, in Hayes Town Centre.
FAQs about the Innovator Founder visa
You must have an innovative, viable, and scalable business idea endorsed by an approved endorsing body.
You also need to meet the English language requirement and have enough personal savings to support yourself while in the UK.
If your endorsement is withdrawn, your visa may be curtailed. You will have a specified period to find a new endorsing body and obtain a new endorsement, or you will need to leave the UK.
Yes, you can switch to the Innovator Founder visa from most other visa categories, provided you meet the eligibility criteria and are already in the UK.
Yes, you can bring your partner and children under 18 as dependents. They will need to apply separately and meet the relevant eligibility criteria.
Yes, you can apply for settlement (indefinite leave to remain) after spending 3 years in the UK on an Innovator Founder visa, provided you meet the eligibility requirements.
Legal Disclaimer
The information provided is for general informational purposes only and should not be taken as legal advice. While we make every effort to ensure accuracy, the law may change, and the information may not reflect the most current legal developments. No warranty is given regarding the accuracy or completeness of the information, and we do not accept liability in such cases. We recommend consulting with a qualified lawyer at Moeen & Co. Solicitors before making any decisions based on the information provided on this website.
