Innovator Founder visa

You can apply for an Innovator Founder visa if you want to set up & run an innovative business in the UK and your business or business idea has been endorsed by an approved body, also known as an endorsing body.

Eligibility requirements for 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

Supporting documents

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 documents 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

Your partner and children

Your partner and children can apply to join you or to stay in the UK as your 'dependants' if they're eligible. If their application is successful, their visa will end on the same date as yours.

How long you can stay

Your visa can last for up to 5 years before you need to extend it. You'll need to apply to extend or update your visa when it expires or if you change jobs or employer.

Extend your visa

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.