What is the Innovator Founder Visa?
The Innovator Founder visa is a single immigration route that replaced both the Innovator visa and Start-up route from 13th April 2023. This scheme is aimed at start-up entrepreneurs and experienced businesspersons from overseas who wish to establish an innovative business in the UK.
What are the Benefits of the Innovator Founder Visa?
The innovator founder route presents a unique opportunity for non-UK resident entrepreneurs to bring their business ideas to life in the UK. Once approved, they can work on their established business and also take up other employment opportunities that require a skill level of not less than UK A levels. In addition, they can pursue studies while managing their business. Initially, innovator founders are granted permission to reside and work in the UK for a maximum of three years.
After which, they can apply for indefinite leave to remain, provided they meet the necessary relevant requirements. Innovator founders can also bring their immediate family members, including their partner and dependent children, with them to the UK. As dependents, their partners and children have the freedom to work in any field, except as sports coaches or players, and pursue their studies.
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Innovator Founder Visa: Key Qualifications and Requirements
To be considered for an Innovator Founder Visa, applicants must meet several requirements as stipulated by UK Visas and Immigration:
1. Applicants must be at least 18 years old.
2. They must secure an endorsement letter from a recognised UK endorsing body, which confirms the following:
- The candidate is appropriate for endorsement under the Innovator Founder pathway;
- The endorsement body has no reservations about the source of funds invested in the applicant’s business;
- The endorsing body has no grounds to suspect the applicant or their business of involvement in illicit or unaccounted-for wealth;
- The applicant has a business plan and has either conceived or significantly contributed to the ideas in the plan;
- The applicant will be actively involved in the day-to-day implementation of the business and will demonstrate that he/she has put the business plan into practice;
- The applicant commits to attending a minimum of two check-in meetings with the endorsing body at regular intervals;
- The applicant is either the sole founder or a crucial member of the founding team; and
- The business venture exhibits innovation, viability, and scalability.
3. The endorsement letter must be dated no more than three months before the Innovator visa application submission date.
4. Applicants must be able to speak the English language at a minimum level of CEFR Level B2 (equivalent to IELTS 5.5 in reading, writing, listening, and speaking).
5. For applicants outside the UK or those residing in the UK for less than 12 months, they must demonstrate financial means of at least £1,270 for personal support, along with £285 for a dependent partner, £315 for the first child, and £200 for each subsequent child.
6. The application should not be liable for refusal based on general exclusion criteria.
7. If applicable, a valid TB test certificate must be provided.
The exact qualifications necessary may differ depending on individual situations. For expert guidance, it is advised to consult an immigration lawyer.
Is the Innovator Founder Visa Right for You?
To determine whether the Innovator Founder Visa is the right fit for you depends on a series of factors, including your business aims and goals, background, and personal circumstances.
If you have an innovative, scalable, and viable business idea or concept that has the potential to succeed in the UK market, and you can present this successfully for an endorsement from an approved body, this visa will be suitable for you. Additionally, consider your English language proficiency, financial means, and willingness to comply with visa conditions, such as attending check-in meetings and working exclusively on your business venture. By evaluating these factors, you can decide if the Innovator Founder Visa aligns with your entrepreneurial aspirations in the UK.
Understanding the Investment Funds Criteria for Innovator Founder Visa
For the Innovator Founder Visa, the investment funds criteria primarily focus on personal funds to support oneself and any dependents during the initial stay in the UK.
Unlike other visa categories, the Innovator Founder Visa does not have a specific level of funds required for the proposed business venture. Instead, applicants must demonstrate that they have access to sufficient personal funds to support themselves and their dependents during their time in the UK (as stated in the above section).
It is crucial to note that the endorsement letter obtained from an approved UK endorsing body should confirm that the endorsing body has no concerns about the source of any funds invested into the business and that the applicant’s business venture is not the beneficiary of illicit or unexplained wealth.
By understanding these requirements, Innovator Founder Visa applicants can better prepare for the application process and ensure they meet the financial requirements necessary to support themselves and their dependents while establishing their business in the UK.
Mandatory Criteria for Endorsement for the UK Innovator Founder Visa
Breaking Down the New Business Endorsement Criteria
Requirements for New Business Endorsement
To receive an endorsement letter for the Innovator Founder Visa, a Home Office-approved endorsing body must be convinced that you fulfil various requirements:
General Requirements for Innovator Founder Visa
The endorsing body must confirm that:
- You are a suitable candidate for endorsement under the Innovator Founder route;
- They have no concerns about the origin of funds invested in your business;
- They have no reason to suspect your business of benefiting from illicit or unexplained wealth.
Business Plan Requirement for Innovator Founder Visa
You must have a business plan, either created by you or contributed to significantly. You should demonstrate an active day-to-day role in implementing the plan and confirm that you will attend at least two check-in meetings with the endorsing body at regular intervals during your visa period. Moreover, your role must be either that of the sole founder of the business or a key member of the founding team.
Innovative, Viable, and Scalable Business Requirement for Innovator Founder Visa
Your business idea must meet the following criteria:
- Innovation: They must produce a genuine, original business plan that tackles a new or existing market needs and/or provides a competitive edge to an industry or sector;
- Viability: A realistic and achievable business plan based on available resources, with evidence of required skills, knowledge, experience, and market awareness for a successful operation;
- Scalability: A plan for potential for job creation and growth into national and international market.
Criteria for Endorsement of a Same Business
If an approved endorsing body has already previously assessed your business under the Innovator, Start up, or Tier 1 (Graduate Entrepreneur) route, you may re-apply for further endorsement under the Innovator Founder route. This is applicable if you intend to switch from one of these routes or extend your stay as an Innovator Founder.
To qualify for an endorsement based on the same business as a previous application, you must satisfy the endorsing body that:
- Your business is actively registered at Companies House, and you are registered as a director or member;
- You have an active, trading, and sustainable business;
- There has been progress made on your business plan;
- You are actively involved in the day-to-day management and development of your business. If you currently hold or previously held an Innovator or Innovator Founder visa, you must also demonstrate attendance at a minimum of 2 check-in meetings with the endorsing body (or similar checkpoints with a legacy endorsing body) at regular intervals during your visa period and confirm that you will attend at least two check-in meetings with the endorsing body during your upcoming visa period.
Approved Innovator Founder Visa Endorsing Bodies List
The Home Office has authorised the following endorsing bodies to issue endorsement letters for applications under the Innovator Founder route:
- Envestors Limited
- UK Endorsement Services
- Innovator International
- The Global Entrepreneurs Programme (GEP) (Note: GEP can only endorse applicants who have already been invited to participate in their programme)
Endorsing bodies that were approved before the current system, known as ‘Legacy Endorsing Bodies,’ can continue to support Innovators endorsed under the previous Innovator Rules until they achieve Indefinite Leave to Remain.
If a ‘Legacy Endorsing Body’ endorsed you before April 13, 2023, you can still rely on that endorsement without needing to apply to one of the currently approved endorsing bodies, as long as your endorsement letter is dated before April 13, 2023.
Are you interested in making an Innovator Founder Visa application? Then do speak with one of our business immigration solicitors today by calling +44 207 269 9590 or click here to contact us.
Meeting the Language Criteria for the UK Innovator Founder Visa
The English language requirement is an essential aspect of the Innovator Founder Visa application. Applicants must demonstrate their proficiency in English across all four components: reading, writing, speaking, and listening.
The required language level is B2, according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages. Various recognised tests, such as IELTS, can be used to prove English language competency, where applicants must meet level 5.5.
Meeting this requirement is crucial, as it ensures that applicants can effectively communicate and engage in their business activities within the UK without facing language barriers, thereby increasing the likelihood of success for their business venture.
Meeting the Financial Requirements for the UK Innovator Founder Visa
Furthermore, the financial requirement is a critical aspect of the Innovator Founder Visa application process. This requirement is for applicants to demonstrate that they have sufficient funds to support themselves and their business while in the UK. In this sense, you must be able to demonstrate that you have an initial capital of at least £1,270 in personal funds held for a 28-day period before the date of the application.
This financial threshold guarantees that applicants can meet their living expenses and contribute to their business without relying on public funds. By meeting these financial requirements, applicants can focus on building and developing their innovative, viable, and scalable business ventures, contributing to the UK’s economic growth and the job market.
Switching into Innovator Founder Route
While Innovator Founder visa applications can be submitted from abroad, individuals who are already in the UK on other visas may also be eligible to switch to the Innovator Founder visa category, provided they meet all the criteria. This option, however, excludes those who are currently on visas that include a Visitor, Short-term Student, Parent of a Child Student, Seasonal Worker, Domestic Worker in a Private Household, or those who hold a status outside the Immigration Rules.
What are the Application Fees and Charges for the Innovator Founder Visa?
The Innovator Founder Visa application is currently set at £1,036 for those applying from outside the UK and £1,292 for those applicants who are switching from inside the country. Please note that as an applicant, you will also need to pay a £1,000 (excluding VAT) endorsement fee to the relevant endorsing body. These fees do not include legal fees for a law firm to handle your application. You will also need to pay the fee for the immigration healthcare surcharge (currently £624 per person per year) for the duration of your visa.
What is the Visa Validity Duration Period of the Innovator Founder Visa?
The initial Innovator Founder Visa is valid for three years. Extensions can be obtained for additional three-year periods, provided the applicant receives re-endorsement each time. There is no cap on the time spent in the Innovator Founder category. After three years in the Innovator Founder Visa category, applicants can pursue a path to settlement by applying for indefinite leave to remain (permanent residence in the UK).
What are the Innovator Founder Visa Terms of Residence?
Innovator Founder Visa holders must adhere to specific conditions during their stay. Visa holders are expected to work for the business(es) they have established. They are allowed to take up employment outside their business, provided it is a skilled role (at least RQF Level).
Innovator Founder Visa Contact Point Meetings
Contact point meetings are a crucial aspect of the Innovator Founder Visa process, as they serve as checkpoints to assess the progress of applicants’ business plans. These meetings take place between the applicant and their endorsing body at regular intervals throughout the period of permission granted under the Innovator Founder Visa.
At least two contact point meetings are required, and they offer an opportunity for the endorsing body to evaluate whether the applicant is continuing to work on their business venture and has demonstrated reasonable progress towards their original or a new innovative, scalable, and viable business idea. Failing to attend contact point meetings may result in the cancellation of the Innovator Founder Visa, emphasising their importance in ensuring the success and growth of the applicant’s business venture in the UK.
Innovator Founder Visa Points Requirements
To make a successful application under the innovator founder visa route, the applicant must accumulate a total of 70 points, with at least 50 points coming from either the new or same business criteria (but not both). The remaining 20 points will be based on meeting the financial and English language requirements. To meet the new business criteria, the applicant’s business plan will be assessed, with a potential award of 30 points. An additional 20 points may be granted if the proposed business venture is deemed innovative, viable, and capable of scaling up.
Gaining Indefinite Leave to Remain in the UK as an Innovator Founder
Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) is a significant milestone for Innovator Founder Visa holders, as it allows them to settle in the UK without being subject to visa restrictions. After spending three years in the Innovator Founder Visa category, applicants become eligible to apply for ILR, provided they meet specific requirements.
To qualify for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) as an Innovator Founder, you must satisfy the following requirements set by UK Visas & Immigration:
1. Satisfy the endorsement criteria from an approved UK endorsing body, which confirms that your activities have aligned with your initial business plan and your registration with Companies House as a Director or Member of your business. It must also show that your business will continue to reade for at least the next 12 months, and your role in the day-to-day management and development of its progress.
2.Meet at least two of the following criteria:
a. A minimum investment of £50,000 has been made into the business and actively used for its growth.
b. Creation of at least five full-time jobs for settled workers with an average salary of £25,000 per year or more.
c. Creation of at least ten full-time jobs for resident workers without an average salary requirement.
d. Customer base has doubled within the past three years, with current numbers exceeding the average for comparable UK businesses.
e. Engagement in significant research and development activities and application for intellectual property protection in the UK.
f. Generation of a minimum annual gross revenue of £1 million during the last full financial year.
g. In any rolling 12-month period during the three years preceding to the application date, you have not spent more than 180 days outside of the UK; and
h. Generation of a minimum annual gross revenue of £500,000 during the last full financial year, with at least £100,000 coming from overseas exports.
3. Spend no more than 180 days spent outside the UK during any 12-month period within the three years preceding the application date of indefinite leave to remain.
4. Have proficient knowledge of English language and also be able to pass the Life in the UK test.
By meeting these requirements, Innovator Founders can apply for ILR and secure their long-term future in the UK as they continue to grow and develop their businesses
Applying as a Co-founder for an Innovator Founder Visa
To make an application for the Innovator Founder visa, you do not necessarily have to be the sole founder of the business; you can be part of the founding team of an innovative business. If you wish to make an application as a team member, you will need to have a significant role in the team. Moreover, each team member will need to receive individual endorsements from an approved endorsing body.
Dependents and Family Member Rights for Innovator Founder Visa Holders
The Innovator Founder Visa scheme will not only allow international business founders a distinct possibility to launch their enterprises in the UK but also making provisions for their family members. Under this visa framework, family members (wives, husbands, children under the age of 18 etc) can also relocate along with their dependents to the UK.
Immediate relatives of Innovator Founder Visa holders will be required to seek their own corresponding visas, which will be granted for a similar duration as that of the principal applicant’s visa. Besides adhering to the primary applicant’s eligibility prerequisites, dependents need to meet particular criteria, such as showing that their relationship to the visa holder is genuine and proving that they can maintain themselves financially without turning to public funds.
Spouses or partners of Innovator Founder Visa holders can work or study in the UK without any restrictions, which gives them also a chance to contribute towards the family’s overall economic security or advance their career objectives. Moreover, dependent children will be eligible to attend nearby schools or childcare establishments, allowing them to benefit from UK higher education institutions throughout their time in the country.
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Our Step by Step Process for Innovator Founder Visa Applications
Our Innovator Founder Visa application support and submission process consists of 9 distinct steps.
Step 1 – Contact us Through our Innovator Founder Visa enquiry form at the bottom of this page
To have an initial evaluation of your potential for an Innovator Founder visa, please fill out our Innovator Founder Visa enquiry Form at the bottom of this page and shed as much detail as possible about your business and application aims. By doing so, one of our legal experts will assess this information, and will reply to you within 24 hours.
Step 2 – Assessing Eligibility Before Contacting Endorsing Bodies
All applicants must ensure they meet the individual eligibility criteria for an Innovator Founder Visa. After successfully completing Step 1, we will schedule an initial consultation to confirm that you fulfil the general eligibility requirements outlined in the Immigration Rules for an Innovator Founder visa.
Step 3 – Assessing Your Business Idea or Concept
If you want to apply for an Innovator Founder visa, you must demonstrate that your business idea is innovative, viable, and scalable to endorsing bodies. With that in mind, our immigration solicitors will arrange an initial consultation with you to focus on this and provide guidance on whether it is suitable for submission to an endorsing body.
Step 4 – Connecting with Endorsing Bodies
Once the above steps are complete and we are happy with the strength of your application and business idea, we will officially introduce you and your business proposal to one or more Home Office-approved endorsing bodies. As a very well-respected central London-based law firm, our team at Gulbenkian Andonian will be able to guarantee direct communication with the investment panel members and expedited, transparent decision-making.
Step 5 – Concept and Business Plan Validation
During an initial consultation, the endorsing body will evaluate your concept and business plan. If they find it suitable for further consideration, they will work closely with you to fully comprehend your business model, cashflows, and any other necessary elements to maximise the likelihood of innovator founder endorsement.
Step 6 – A Full Scope KYC and Due Diligence Check
The endorsing body will need complete information about you and the origin of your funds. We will be able to help you represent this information in the cleanest possible way so that it is properly organised and understood by the endorsing body in question.
Step 7 – Innovator Founder Visa Application Submission
Upon successful completion of the above steps and after obtaining an endorsement from an endorsing body, we will help you prepare and submit your Innovator Founder Visa application to the relevant department of the UK Home Office. The UK’s Business Immigration Rules have stringent requirements regarding the supporting evidence for an Innovator Founder Visa application. We will make sure your application is professionally presented, technically accurate, and approved on the first attempt.
Step 8 – Application Approval & Mentorship
After your Innovator Founder Visa application has been approved, you will be able to travel to and enter the UK to start to develop your business concept.
Step 9 – Applying for Indefinite Leave to Remain After 3 Years
We will continue to remain in contact with you as your legal advisors over the three-year visa period and can later guide you and represent you towards making a successful application for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) which will allow you to permanently live in the UK.
Moreover, as a full-service law firm, we work with many partners to ensure that we are a one-stop-shop for our clients; where we will be able to offer you Through our comprehensive wealth, tax management, and education consultation services for UK schools and universities if you or your dependents require these services.
Innovator Founder Visa Refusals - Next Steps
When an Innovator Founder visa application is denied, it might feel like a setback. However, to not worry if this is the case because there are a number of options available. A practical approach may be to consider resubmission. With Gulbenkian Andonian Solicitors on your side, we will be able to tell you exactly where you went wrong in your initial application and how you can overcome a refusal.
In some instances, making a completely fresh application may be viable and also the best way to move forward. However, in order to advise you if this is indeed the best course of action, we would first need to understand more details regarding your initial application if it was not our legal team who initially handled it.
Sometimes, however, the decision-making process might be due to an error on behalf of the UK Home Office. This is because officials may have misapplied the relevant Immigration Rules. In such circumstances, initiating an Administrative Review proceeding could be the most appropriate action. Our dedicated immigration experts will be able to act on your behalf to make sure that if you do pursue the route of an administrative review, you will have the highest chance of success.
In extreme cases, if the refusal is based on unlawful, unreasonable or procedurally incorrect grounds, a Judicial Review may be your best option which will mean challenging the refusal in the UK courts. As a legal team that also has decades of experience representing individuals and businesses in the UK courts, we can file for Judicial Review on your behalf and also represent you during the hearings to maximise your chances of a successful outcome the second time around. If your innovator founder visa gets rejected, we are here to support you throughout and offer our expertise and dedication to guide you towards achieving your goal of pursuing your business idea in the UK.
Discuss you Innovator Founder Visa application with one of our business immigration solicitors, call +44 207 269 9590 or click here to contact us.
What are the Key Changes to the Previous Innovator Route?
The Innovator Founder visa has some key similarities and differences with the existing Innovator visa. Applicants must still need to gain endorsement from an approved endorsing body in the UK to demonstrate that their business idea is innovative, viable, and scalable. The key changes to be aware of are as follows:
Change 1: Removal of the £50,000 Minimum Investment Requirement
The BEIS strategy stated that greater flexibility would be achieved by removing the requirements for applicants to have at least £50,000 in investment funds “provided that the endorsing body is satisfied the applicant has sufficient funds to grow their business”.
The thinking behind removing the minimum investment funds requirement is that doing so will make it easier for those with a genuine proposal for an innovative business and sufficient funds to come to the UK.
Change 2: Relaxation of Employment Rules
The changes to previous business immigration routes have also been relaxed through the innovator route when it comes to doing additional work. The Innovator Founder Visa rules will allow secondary employment as long as this role requires a Skill level of RQF Level 3 (i.e. A-level or above). The secondary employment must also not interfere with the visa holder’s main reason for being in the UK (i.e. to establish their innovative business).
Other Changes to the Previous Innovator Route
The new changes to the Innovator route include further clarifications on endorsing body letters of endorsement. Section INNF 6.3 states that letters must confirm that:
- The applicant is considered a fit and proper person to receive endorsement under the rules and guidelines of the Innovator Founder route; and
- The endorsing body has no concerns over the legitimacy of sources of funds or
- Modes of transfer of funds invested by the applicant into their endorsed business; and
- The endorsing body has identified no reason to believe that the applicant or their endorsed business may be the beneficiary of illicit or otherwise unsatisfactorily explained wealth.
The changes also include a number of business plan requirements, including that Innovator Founder visa applicants must
- Have a business plan and have either generated or made a significant contribution to the ideas in that business plan; and
- Demonstrate that they will have a day-to-day role in carrying out the business plan; and
- Confirm that they will have at least two Contact point meetings with the endorsing body at regular intervals during their period of permission and be either the sole founder or an instrumental member of the founding team
A ‘contact point meeting’ is a checkpoint assessment between the applicant and their endorsing body to assess progress against the applicant’s business plan.
Prospective Innovator Founder visa applicants should be aware that the English language requirement (at least level B2 on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) scale) remains under this new route. In addition, applicants must have sufficient funds (at least £1,270 held for 28 consecutive days) to support themselves during their time in the UK.
Choosing Gulbenkian Andonian Solicitors for Your Innovator Founder Visa Application: A Wise Choice
When trying to understand if the Innovator Founder Visa is an appropriate route, it is crucial to choose a law firm that offers a combination of experience, expertise, and personalised service. Our business immigration team Gulbenkian Andonian Solicitors stands out as a top choice for this crucial step in your entrepreneurial journey for several compelling reasons.
Firstly, we boast a wealth of experience in already handling Innovator Founder Visa applications. With a long-standing track record of success, our firm has already provided professional advice to guide numerous overseas entrepreneurs through the complex process of obtaining this visa. Our extensive knowledge of the UK immigration system ensures that your application will be prepared meticulously, maximising your chances of approval.
Secondly, our team at Gulbenkian Andonian Solicitors possesses a deep understanding of the unique requirements and challenges that a overseas entrepreneur may face when applying for an Innovator Founder Visa. Our firm’s legal professionals are well-versed in the various aspects of the visa application process, including language proficiency, financial requirements, and business endorsements. This expertise allows us to provide tailored advice and guidance, ensuring that every aspect of your application is addressed thoroughly and accurately.
Additionally, our team at Gulbenkian Andonian Solicitors has a strong network of connections with endorsing bodies, which plays a crucial role in the Innovator Founder Visa application process. By leveraging these relationships, our firm can help you secure the necessary endorsement for your business, increasing the likelihood of a successful application.
Moreover, the personalised service provided by our legal team sets us apart from other law firms. Our dedicated team of immigration solicitors will take the time to understand your unique business venture and personal circumstances, allowing them to develop a customised strategy for your application. Our commitment to open communication and care for each and every applicant ensures that you are kept informed and involved throughout the process, providing peace of mind and confidence in your application’s success.
Lastly, our legal teams’ reputation for excellence speaks for itself. Our firm is ranked as a Top Tier Firm for UK immigration applications by the Legal 500 and has received numerous accolades and positive testimonials from satisfied clients, reinforcing our position as a leading choice for Innovator Founder Visa applications. By entrusting your application to Gulbenkian Andonian Solicitors, you can be confident that you are partnering with a firm that prioritises your success.
In conclusion, choosing Gulbenkian Andonian Solicitors for your Innovator Founder Visa application is a wise decision that offers numerous benefits. Our experience, expertise, personalised service, and strong connections with endorsing bodies make them the ideal partner to help you successfully navigate the complex application process and secure your future as an entrepreneur in the UK.
Final Words
The new Innovator Founder visa route is open to applications and has been since the 13th April, 2023. There are at least three key positives;
- There is no longer a need to show evidence of initial investment funds.
- Applicants must now instead show they can sustain themselves by evidencing at least £1,270.
- Innovators can do secondary work to support themselves, and
- Those would have applied under the start-up visa route and are now able to secure an Innovator Founder visa can use their time in the UK from day one to qualify for ILR.
While the Innovator Founder Visa makes a number of changes to the existing innovator route, it remains to be seen if these will further encourage those with an innovative, viable, and scalable business idea to come to the UK.
Gulbenkian Andonian specialises in the most complex and urgent immigration applications and appeals cases. Our Innovator Visa Solicitors have successfully assisted many businesses to secure their immigration prospects allowing them to operate and prosper in the UK; let us do the same for you. Call us on +44 (0) 207 269 9590 or fill out the form below to discuss your matter with one of our friendly and empathetic team members.
UK Innovator Founder Visa FAQs
The new Innovator Founder visa is a single immigration route that has replaced both the Innovator visa and Start-up visa from 13th April 2023. It is aimed at overseas candidates who wish to establish an innovative business in the UK.
The key changes to the Innovator route include the removal of the £50,000 minimum investment requirement and relaxation of employment rules, allowing secondary employment as long as it is in a skilled role equivalent to at least RQF Level 3.
If you wish to apply under the Innovator Founder Visa route, your letters of endorsement must show that you are perceived as a fit and proper person to receive such an endorsement. Furthermore the endorsing body must be convinced that there are no issues with or over the legitimacy of sources of funds that you will invest into the endorsed business and that there is no reason to believe that you as the applicant or your endorsed business have unexplained wealth.
Yes, applicants must have at least level B2 on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) scale.
Applicants must have at least £1,270 held for 28 consecutive days.
The Innovator Founder visa route is now open to applications (since 13th April 2023).
Innovator Founder Visa holders must have at least two check-in meetings with their endorsing body at regular intervals during their stay. These meetings assess progress against the business plan.The endorsing body must be convinced that the visa holder is actively working on the business venture and has made reasonable progress with either the original or a new innovative, scalable, and viable business idea.Failing to attend a check-in meeting with the endorsing body may result in the Innovator Founder Visa being revoked.
Indefinite leave to remain, also known as permanent settlement, is a crucial benefit of the innovator founder route. After residing and working in the UK for a three years, visa holders can apply for indefinite leave to remain, provided they meet the relevant requirements.
Indefinite leave to remain allows individuals to stay in the UK without any time restrictions. It also opens up opportunities for them to apply for British citizenship after a set period.
To qualify for indefinite leave to remain, innovator founder visa holders must demonstrate their business’s progress and their ability to create jobs in the UK. They must also meet the necessary English language and Life in the UK test requirements.
Securing indefinite leave to remain provides innovator founders with stability and enables them to continue growing their business in the UK without any immigration restrictions.
Dr Bernard Andonian – the Co-Founder of Gulbenkian Andonian Solicitors, is an experienced Immigration Solicitor, former Judge, and recipient of a PhD in Law from the University of West London. He has over four decades of experience practising UK Immigration, Human Rights and Civil Litigation Law. He has served on the Law Society Immigration Law Panel, achieved numerous groundbreaking decisions in higher courts and is featured in the Legal 500’s Hall of Fame.
