What is the UK Innovator Founder Visa in 2025
The Innovator Founder Visa is a UK visa route designed for entrepreneurs who want to establish a business in the UK that is innovative, viable and scalable.
Key features:
- You must secure an endorsement from an approved UK endorsing body before you apply.
- You can stay in the UK for 3 years initially.
- After 3 years you may qualify for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) if all conditions are met.
- No fixed minimum investment threshold is specified – instead you must show you have sufficient funds and a credible business plan.
If you’re an entrepreneur looking to apply in 2025, this guide walks you through how to apply, eligibility, fees, decision checklist, and next steps. Use the CTAs below to act.
Eligibility for the Innovator Founder Visa – Check Your Fit
Applicant requirements:
- You must be 18 or older at time of application.
- You need a valid endorsement letter from a recognized endorsing body, issued no more than 3 months before your visa application.
- You must show you can support yourself: you need at least £1,270 in your bank account, held for 28 consecutive days before you apply (unless exempt).
- You must meet the English language requirement: at least CEFR Level B2 (or equivalent) in reading, writing, speaking and listening.
- You must play an active and continuing role in the day‑to‑day running of the business. The business must be new to the market or sufficiently changed and you must have significantly contributed to the idea.
Business & Endorsement criteria: “Innovative, Viable, Scalable”
The endorsing body will check your business idea against three core tests:
- Innovation – The business idea must be new, or bring something new to the UK market.
- Viability – You must show a credible business model, realistic budget, and your skills and resources to run it.
- Scalability – The business should have potential to grow, increase revenue, create jobs or serve wider markets.
Additional eligibility points:
- The endorsement body must be a UK Home Office‑approved organization.
- If you already have a business and want to continue it under this route, you need to show it remains active, meets the criteria, and you remain engaged.
- If you apply from within the UK (switching), ensure your current visa allows switching.
Check your eligibility now. If you meet the above, proceed to endorsement application.
Step‑by‑Step: How to Apply for the Innovator Founder Visa
Step 1: Prepare your business plan & apply for endorsement
- Research and select an endorsing body from the official list.
- Submit your business plan demonstrating innovation, viability and scalability.
- Pay any endorsing body fee (often around £1,000+, depending on the body).
- Once approved, you receive an endorsement letter (valid for 3 months) which you attach to your visa application.
Step 2: Gather documents & prepare application
You will need:
- Endorsement letter (valid, issued <= 3 months ago).
- Passport or travel document.
- Evidence of your financial maintenance (£1,270 held for 28 days).
- Proof of English language level.
- Evidence of funds for business (though no fixed minimum, you need to show you can fund and run the business).
- Details of your business—plan, budget, market research, projected growth, founder role.
- For switching applications (if already in UK), proof of current leave and that you are eligible to switch.
Step 3: Pay visa fees and submit application
- Visa application fee when applying from outside UK is typically £1,191.
- If applying to extend or switch in the UK, around £1,486.
- Immigration Health Surcharge applies (circa £1,035 per adult per year, and £776 per child/student).
- Submit the visa application online, book biometric appointment if required, and submit supporting documents.
Step 4: Decision & entry/leave to remain
- Typical decision time: ~8 weeks when applying within UK; shorter if overseas.
- Once granted, you receive leave to remain for 3 years. You can enter the UK or remain accordingly.
- You may extend or apply for ILR after 3 years if criteria are met.
Step 5: Ongoing compliance & preparation for settlement
- You must maintain endorsement: attend at least two contact‑point meetings with your endorsing body during each grant of leave.
- The business must remain active, trading and sustainable.
- You must remain primarily working for the endorsed venture (you may take another skilled job at RQF Level 3 or above if it doesn’t undermine your founder role).
- Keep records of growth, jobs created, investments raised, milestones achieved — all help for ILR application.
Costs, Fees & Financial Requirements for the Innovator Founder Visa
| Item | Cost / Requirement | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Maintenance funds | At least £1,270 in bank for 28 consecutive days | Cannot count investment funds or earnings from illegal work. |
| Endorsement body fee | Approx £1,000+ | Varies by endorsing body. |
| Visa application fee (outside UK) | Approx £1,191 per applicant | For 2025‑applicants. |
| Visa application fee (switch/extend inside UK) | Approx £1,486 | For 2025‑applicants. |
| Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) | Approx £1,035 per adult/year, £776 per child/student/year | Fees apply for full leave period. ) |
| Investment funds | No fixed minimum | But must be sufficient to execute your business plan. |
Budget your application now—make sure you allocate for endorsement and visa fees before proceeding.
Applying for Settlement (ILR) After the Innovator Founder Visa
After 3 years of continuous residence on the Innovator Founder route, you may apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain if you meet the conditions:
- Your business remains active, trading and sustainable.
- You continue to be engaged in the business’s day‑to‑day operations.
- You kept endorsement requirements fulfilled and attended contact‑point meetings.
- Your absences from the UK are within permitted limits (usually fewer than 180 days in any 12‑month period).
When you apply for ILR, you should compile evidence: turnover, job creation, funding raised, market expansion, growth metrics. Also maintain polished documentation of your founder role.
Start collecting business growth evidence from day one so you are ready for ILR in year 3.
Compare Alternatives: Is the Innovator Founder Visa Right for You?
| Visa Route | Key Features | When It’s Better |
|---|---|---|
| Innovator Founder Visa | Entrepreneur‑route with endorsement, innovation test, settlement in ~3 yrs | You have an innovative, growth‑oriented business idea and want to be UK‑based founder |
| Skilled Worker Visa (self‑sponsorship) | You can set up your own business and work under your own company as sponsor | If you already have a business model and your company can sponsor you |
| Global Talent Visa | Granted for exceptional talent in science, research, arts, digital tech; no employer sponsor | If you are high‑impact founder with credentials and seeking flexibility |
| Scale‑up Visa | For senior roles in growing UK companies | If you join existing UK business rather than founding your own |
Compare your profile and goals—if your aim is to found a scalable business in the UK, Innovator Founder is likely the best fit.
Decision Checklist: Are You Ready to Apply?
✅ I am aged 18+ and meet English language requirement.
✅ I have or will secure endorsement from a Home Office‑approved endorsing body.
✅ I have a business idea that is innovative, viable and scalable.
✅ I have evidence of business funding and/or credible plan to generate revenue and growth.
✅ I have at least £1,270 in my bank account for 28 days (and dependants if any).
✅ I can play a full‑time founder role in the business in the UK.
✅ My business plan demonstrates job creation, market growth, and scalability.
✅ I understand ongoing compliance: contact‑point meetings, monitoring, business progress.
✅ I am prepared to stay in the UK for the full period, engage with my business, keep records for ILR.
✅ I have budgeted for endorsement and visa application costs, and IHS fees.
If you tick all of these, you are ready to apply now.
Clear Next Steps
- Contact one or more approved UK endorsing bodies and start the endorsement process.
- Develop or refine your business plan with focus on innovation, viability and scalability.
- Ensure you have the required maintenance funds and proof of English language level.
- Budget and pay endorsement, visa and IHS fees; prepare the application documents.
- After you secure endorsement, submit your visa application, prepare for compliance, and plan for ILR at year 3.
FAQ: Innovator Founder Visa 2025:
Q1: Is there a minimum investment amount required?
A: No fixed amount is specified under the rules. However, your endorsing body will expect you to show you have sufficient funds to launch and scale your business.
Q2: Can I bring my family (dependents)?
A: Yes. Your partner and children under 18 can apply as your dependents. They pay the same visa fees and IHS and can live, work and study in the UK.
Q3: Can I take on another job while holding this visa?
A: Yes, but only as a secondary role. The job must be at or above RQF Level 3 (A‑level equivalent) and must not interfere with your role as founder.
Q4: How long does the endorsement process take?
A: The timeline varies by endorsing body, but once you have endorsement, the visa application decision typically takes around 3–8 weeks.
Q5: What happens if my business fails?
A: If your business ceases trading or your endorsing body withdraws the endorsement (e.g., for not meeting progress milestones), your visa may be curtailed. You should seek alternative visa routes as soon as possible.
Q6: When can I apply for settlement (ILR)?
A: After 3 years of continuous residence on the Innovator Founder route, if you meet the business, endorsement and residence requirements.
Q7: Can I switch into this visa from inside the UK?
A: Yes, provided your current visa allows switching and you meet the Innovator Founder eligibility criteria.
Q8: Are there any caps or quotas for this visa route?
A: No publicly‑announced quota for this route as of 2025. The key limiting factor is securing endorsement from an approved council.
Take action now: Apply for endorsement, prepare your plan, and submit your visa application for the Innovator Founder Visa. This is your gateway to founding a business in the UK and aiming for settlement in 3 years. Good luck!