Innovator Founder: Build a Scalable UK Startup & ILR in London

The Innovator Founder visa was created in 2019 and is a pathway towards permanent residence, allowing experienced business entrepreneurs to establish and grow a company in the UK. This visa allows you to stay in the UK for 3 years to help drive economic growth in the country.

• Points Required: 70 points
• Who Qualifies? Entrepreneurs who want to build a business in the UK. Applicants can apply with their spouse/partner and dependent children.
• How Long Can You Stay? Up to 3 years. After this period you can apply for permanent residency.
• Processing Time: After you have submitted your online application, proved your identity and provided the relevant documents, 90% of applicants are processed within 3 weeks.

The UK government defines an Innovator Founder company including start-ups as a "business that must have an innovative, viable and scalable business idea, supported by a business plan, which has been approved by an endorsing body". There is no minimum investment amount. You will have to pay roughly £1000 to be endorsed by a relevant body.

• Current Business Endorsing Bodies: Envestors Limited

Eligibility for Innovator Founder visa: In order to qualify for this visa you must meet several minimum requirements:

• Have a business or business idea accepted by an approved body
• Prove you have enough money to support yourself, normally £1,270
• Speak, read, write and understand English to a minimum standard

Firstly, if you are a citizen of any of the below nations you are exempt from SELT:

• Antigua and Barbuda
• Australia
• The Bahamas
• Belize
• Canada
• Dominica
• Grenada
• Jamaica
• St Kitts and Nevis
• St Lucia
• St Vincent and the Grenadines
• USA

Certification Provider: The International English Language Test (IELTS) is designed to help you work, study or migrate to the UK. Your ability to listen, read, write and speak in English will be assessed during the test. IELTS is graded on a scale of 1-9. You will be required to achieve at least 7.0 overall for this visa and in each category, Reading, Writing, Speaking and Listening.

Application Fee: When applying within the UK such as to extend your current Innovator Founder visa or to switch from another visa, you will pay £1,590 for up to 3 years. When applying from outside the UK the fee will be £1,274.

The Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) entitles you to use the NHS if you become unwell or have an accident while in the UK. You have to pay the IHS even if you do not use the NHS or even if you have your own private health insurance, the cost is £1,035 per year. If you are applying for a 3-year visa you will have to pay £1,035 each year, therefore you will have to pay a total of £2,070.

Sufficient Funds: You must have at least £1,270 in your bank account to show you can support yourself in the UK, a bank statement will suffice. The financial requirement is that you show you have enough money for your living costs for yourself and dependants while you move to the UK. You do not need to show funds if you have been living in the UK for 12 months or more with permission on the date of your application.

Documentation required for Innovator Visa UK: You must bring relevant documentation that will require some preparation before arriving in the UK. Although, this will vary depending on your occupation, nationality and length of stay:

• Provide an endorsement letter from an approved body
• Proof of your knowledge of English
• A valid passport for the entirety of the visa
• Bank statement proving sufficient funds
• Criminal Record Certificate if you are applying for certain jobs mostly in the public sector such as healthcare, welfare and education sectors.

Identity: For most applicants you must prove your identity by booking an appointment at a Visa Application Centre in your current country. The appointment will include collecting your fingerprints, facial photograph and signature.

Can I bring my family? This visa will allow family members to join the main applicant in the UK, they are known as "dependants". You don't have to be a permanent resident or have an Indefinite Leave to Remain in the UK to bring your family members. The cost for each dependant is £1846 as of January 2024. Dependants over 18 can work full time in any profession throughout with no restrictions. The length of time allowed to stay is the same as the main applicant's work visa.

Can this lead to British citizenship? Yes, the first step to becoming a British citizen is being granted a visa that contributes towards the 3 year requirement for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR).