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The Innovator Founder Visa is a UK immigration route designed for experienced entrepreneurs who want to establish and scale an innovative business in the United Kingdom. It has replaced both the Innovator Visa and the Start-up Visa. Prior to these, the UK offered the Tier 1 (Entrepreneur) Visa, which was closed in 2019.
If you’re an entrepreneur with a bold idea that can disrupt the UK market, the Innovator Founder Visa could be your gateway to permanent residency-and eventually, British citizenship. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the entire process: eligibility, endorsement, requirements, timeline, restrictions, and how LawSentis can help you build your future in the UK.
The Innovator Founder Visa is for foreign nationals looking to launch or continue running an innovative business in the UK. Your idea must be unique, viable, and scalable. Unlike traditional business visas, this route is designed to bring high-impact entrepreneurs to the UK-those whose businesses offer something new to the market and have strong potential to grow nationally or internationally.
This route replaced the previous Innovator Visa and Start-up Visa and is now the single main pathway for founders seeking to build innovative companies in the UK.
You can apply for the Innovator Founder Visa if you:
Before applying, you must get an endorsement from an approved UK endorsing body. These bodies evaluate your business proposal based on:
Your endorsing body will issue an endorsement letter, valid for 3 months, which must be included in your visa application.
The UK Home Office regularly updates the list of recognised endorsing bodies. Common examples include:
Note: Check current Home Office guidance or consult LawSentis for up-to-date lists
To meet the English requirement, you must prove B2 level proficiency in speaking, reading, writing, and listening.
Accepted evidence includes:
You are exempt if:
The visa is initially granted for 3 years. During this time:
You can apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) after 3 years if:
Yes. You can extend your Innovator Founder Visa as many times as needed, in 3-year increments, as long as your business continues to meet the endorsement criteria.
Once you have completed 3 years, you may become eligible for:
You can bring your partner and children under 18 as your dependants. Each dependant will need to submit a separate application and prove access to funds:
Faster decisions may be possible with priority services.
You may switch to the Innovator Founder Visa from:
You must meet all Innovator Founder criteria at the time of switching.
At LawSentis, we’re not just advisors-we’re your strategic partners in building a sustainable and endorsed business in the UK. Regulated by the Immigration Advice Accreditation (IAA), we help founders navigate complex immigration rules with clarity and compliance. Contact us now to assess your eligibility and move forward with confidence. our advisers provide:
We also assist with bringing your partner and children and offer post-arrival services, including company registration, banking setup, and tax advice.
If you’re passionate about building a scalable business in the UK and ready to bring your innovation to the global stage, the Innovator Founder Visa is your ideal route.
Contact LawSentis today to begin your application process with professional guidance every step of the way.
We also assist with bringing your partner and children and offer post-arrival services, including company registration, banking setup, and tax advice.
Have questions or need more information? Our team is here to help.
Expert guidance on visas, settlement, citizenship, and asylum — just a message away.