UK Innovator Visa
You can no longer apply for a Tier 1 (Entrepreneur) visa. If you want to set up or run a business in the UK, you might be able to apply for an Innovator visa or a Start-up visa.
An Innovator visa is an ideal route for entrepreneurs with a new business idea who wish to start a company in the United Kingdom or experienced businessmen that have been running a business outside the United Kingdom for many years and wish to expand it to the UK. An innovator visa is a business visa that gives access to the booming UK market. It is your chance to expand your business, increase the number of customers worldwide, generate profit, and contribute to the community by creating jobs.
You can apply for an Innovator visa if you want to establish and run an innovative business in the UK. Your business idea must be new and different from anything else on the market. Generally, the business will not already exist. However, where it does, the new business should not yet have fully started trading. Your business or business idea must have been endorsed by an approved body, also known as an endorsing body. You must also meet the other eligibility requirements.
The business idea may relate to any sector, provided the business idea is sufficiently innovative, viable, and scalable. You can work on your own as a sole founder, or together as part of an entrepreneurial team. Joint venture arrangements may also be acceptable. You can develop other businesses as well as your main business idea. However, you will not be permitted to take any employment other than working for the business or businesses that you have established. Any arrangement which amounts to disguised employment with another employer would breach the conditions of your stay.
If you wish to join an already trading business, then the Skilled Worker visa may be more appropriate.
A separate Start-up Route has also opened for applicants with less business experience who can prove a potential to successfully establish and run a new business in the UK and can show that they are actively developing the necessary skills to do so. The applicant’s business idea will also be assessed by an endorsing body for the same criteria as the Innovator category; however, they are not required to show the availability of any funds for investment. This route is open for early-stage entrepreneurs and does not lead to settlement and is limited to a maximum of 2 years, but the applicant can switch into the Innovator category after 2 years.
If you are from the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, or Liechtenstein
If you or your close family member started living in the UK before 1 January 2021, you may be able to apply to the free EU Settlement Scheme. Otherwise, you need a visa to work in the UK. Irish citizens do not need to apply for a visa or to the EU Settlement Scheme.
Eligibility Requirements for UK Innovator Visa
Before you apply, you need to have your business or business idea assessed by an endorsing body for innovation, viability, and scalability. They must be satisfied that you will spend your entire working time in the UK developing your business venture. They will provide you with an endorsement letter if your business is eligible. Your endorsement letter issuance must not be more than 3 months before the date of your Innovator visa application.
You must be able to show that your business idea is:
- new- you cannot join a business that is already trading
- innovative- you must have an original business idea that is different from anything else on the market
- viable, with potential for growth
To qualify for an Innovative visa, 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 are in the UK
After your visa is granted, you will have three so-called checkpoints at 6, 12, and 24 months after that to update the endorsing body on your progress and confirm compliance with all the requirements. If the endorsing body withdraws your endorsement before your visa expires, you need to get a new endorsement and re-apply. Otherwise, your visa will be canceled.
If you want to set up a new business
You must have at least £50,000 in investment funds to apply for an Innovator visa if you want to set up a new business.
The requirement to have a viable business idea means that, in practice, you may need to have more than £50,000 available to invest. Some endorsing bodies require an additional level of funding as a condition of endorsement.
You will need to prove where you got your funding from.
You do not need any investment funds if either:
- your business is already established and has been endorsed for an earlier visa
- you have changed your business and already agreed on it with your endorsing body
Supporting yourself
You need to have had at least £1,270 in your bank account for 28 consecutive days before you either:
- apply for an Innovator visa
- apply to extend your Innovator visa or switch to an Innovator visa if you have been in the UK for less than a year
You cannot use either of the following to support yourself:
- money from your investment funds
- money earned while working in the UK illegally
Sharing investment funds
You can form a team with other Innovator applicants, but you cannot share the same investment funds. Each applicant must receive their own individual endorsement from an approved endorsing body.
Your team must have £50,000 for each Innovator applicant.
If the endorsing body confirms that the funds are available to the applicant, then no further evidence is required. However, if some or all of the funds are not confirmed as available by that body, then the funding provider has to write a signed declaration explaining how they know the applicant, the sum being provided, and confirming that the funds have not been promised to anyone else.
English Language Requirements
You must be able to speak, read, write, and understand English. You will usually need to prove your knowledge of the English language when you apply unless you did this in a previous successful visa application.
Level of English
You must prove you can read, write, speak and understand English to a level B2 on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) scale.
You can prove your knowledge of English by:
- passing a Secure English Language Test (SELT) from an approved provider
- having a GCSE, A level, Scottish National Qualification level 4 or 5, Scottish Higher or Advanced Higher in English, gained through study undertaken in a UK school when you were under 18
- having a degree-level academic qualification that was taught in English- if you studied abroad, you will need to apply for confirmation through UK NARIC that your qualification is equivalent to a UK bachelor’s degree, master’s degree, or Ph.D.
Who does not need to prove their knowledge of English?
You do not need to prove your knowledge of English if you are a national of one of the following countries:
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Australia
- the Bahamas
- Barbados
- Belize
- Canada
- Dominica
- Grenada
- Guyana
- Jamaica
- Malta
- New Zealand
- St Kitts and Nevis
- St Lucia
- St Vincent and the Grenadines
- Trinidad and Tobago
- USA
Document Requirements to Apply
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 another document that shows your identity and nationality
- bank statements showing you have 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
- evidence of your investment funds (if you are setting up a new business)
- your tuberculosis test results if you are from a country where you have to take the test
If your documents are not in English or Welsh you will also need to provide a certified translation.
You will need a blank page in your passport for your visa if you are:
- from outside the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, or Liechtenstein
- from the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, or Liechtenstein but do not have a biometric passport with a chip in it
You may need to provide additional documents depending on your circumstances.
If you are not eligible for an Innovator visa
You may be eligible for another type of visa to work in the UK.
How long you can stay
You can stay for 3 years if you either:
- come to the UK on an Innovator visa
- switch to this visa from another visa while in the UK
If you want to stay longer in the UK
You can apply to extend your stay for another 3 years when your visa is due to expire. There is no limit on the number of times you can extend. But it must be re-endorsed each time.
You may be able to apply for settlement once you have been in the UK for 3 years.
If your endorsement is withdrawn
Your visa may be cut short if your endorsement is withdrawn by the endorsing body. If you want to stay longer, you must re-apply with a new endorsement before your current visa expires.
Applying Process for UK Innovator Visa
You must apply online.
How you apply depends on whether you are:
- outside the UK and are coming to the UK
- inside the UK and extending your current visa
- inside the UK and switching from a different visa
You can include your partner and children in your application to stay in the UK if they are eligible.
Apply from outside the UK
You must apply online for an Innovator visa.
Your partner or children will need to apply separately.
Proving your identity and supplying supporting documents
As part of your application, you will need to prove your identity. How you do this depends on where you are from and what type of passport you have.
You will either:
- have your fingerprints and photograph taken at a visa application center- this is to get a biometric residence permit
- use the ‘UK Immigration: ID Check’ app to scan your identity document- you will also create or sign in to your UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account
You will be told what you need to do when you apply.
If you do need an appointment:
- the center may need to keep your passport and documents while they process your application
- you may have to travel to get to your nearest visa application center (this could be in another country)
Apply for an Innovator visa
Once you have started your application, you can save your form and complete it later.
Continue your application
Sign in to your account using the link from your sign-up email.
How long does it take to get a decision
Once you have applied online, proved your identity, and provided your documents, you will usually get a decision within 3 weeks. However, the whole preparation process might take longer because you must have a business plan in place and then have your idea endorsed.
You will be contacted if your application will take longer, for example:
- if you are applying with a family member who needs an appointment but you do not
- if your supporting documents need to be verified
- if you need to attend an interview
- because of your personal circumstances, for example, if you have a criminal conviction
If you have applied through a visa application center, you may be able to pay to get a faster decision- this depends on where you are applying from.
After you apply
If you need to change something in your application after you have sent it, contact UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI).
You can ask to cancel your application. You will only get your fee refunded if UKVI has not started processing your application.
You will get an email or a letter containing the decision on your application. This will explain what you need to do next.
How long does it take
As part of your application, you will need to prove your identity and provide your documents.
You may need to allow extra time if you need an appointment to do this. You will find out if you need one when you start your application.
Getting a decision
Once you have applied online, proved your identity, and provided your documents, you will usually get a decision on your visa within:
- 3 weeks, if you are outside the UK
- 8 weeks, if you are inside the UK
If you need to go to an appointment, you may be able to pay for a faster decision. How you do this depends on whether you are outside the UK or inside the UK.
Fees for Healthcare surcharge
How much you pay for an Innovator visa depends on your situation and where you apply from.
| Who you are applying for | Apply (outside the UK) | Extend or switch (in the UK) |
| You | £1,021 | £1,277 |
| Your partner and children | £1,021 each person | £1,277 each person |
You must pay the visa fee for each person that applies at the same time as you or applies later to join you in the UK.
Healthcare surcharge
You will also have to pay the healthcare surcharge as part of your application. You have to pay £624 a year payable in advance for the duration of the UK visa.
If you are from an eligible country
Your application fee will be automatically reduced by £55 if you are from one of the following countries:
Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Republic of Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, North Macedonia, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden or Turkey.
This reduction only applies to your visa application. Your partner and children will still need to pay the full application fee.
If you are applying to extend or switch in the UK
You may need to pay £19.20 to have your biometric information (fingerprints and a photo) taken.
What you can and cannot do
With an Innovator visa you can:
- set up a business or several businesses
- work for your business- this includes being employed as a director, or self-employed as a member of a business partnership
- bring your partner and children with you as your dependents, if they are eligible
- travel abroad and return to the UK
- apply to settle permanently in the UK (also known as ‘Indefinite Leave to Remain’ or ILR) if you have lived in the UK for 3 years and meet the other eligibility requirements
In order to qualify for Indefinite Leave to Remain or ILR as an Innovator, you must again be endorsed by an approved UK endorsing body that is satisfied that you have shown significant achievements judged against the business plan assessed in your previous endorsement, you are a registered with Companies House as a Director or Member of your business, your business is active, trading and appears sustainable for at least the following 12 months, you have had an active key role in the day-to-day management and development of the business, and you will spend your entire working time in the UK on developing your business ventures.
You cannot:
- do any work outside your business, for example, work where you are employed by another business
- work as a professional sportsperson, for example, a sports coach
- apply for most benefits (public funds), or the State Pension
If your application is successful, you will get a full list of what you can and cannot do with an Innovator visa.
Your partner and children
Your partner and children can apply to join you or to stay in the UK as your ‘dependents’ if they are eligible. If their application is successful, their visa will end on the same date as yours.
Your relationship
A dependent partner or child is any of the following:
- your husband, wife, civil partner, or unmarried partner
- your child under 18- including if they were born in the UK during your stay
- your child over 18 if they are currently in the UK as your dependent
You will need to provide evidence of your relationship when you apply.
Your partner
You must be able to prove that either:
- you are in a civil partnership or marriage that is recognized in the UK
- you have been living together in a relationship for at least 2 years when you apply
If your child is 16 or over
They must:
- live with you (unless they are in full-time education at boarding school, college, or university)
- not be married, in a civil partnership, or have any children
- be financially supported by you
If your child lives with you, you will need to provide 2 of the following documents confirming their address:
- a bank statement
- credit card bills
- driving license
- NHS registration document
- an official letter from their university or college
The money they need to support themselves
Your partner and children must each have a certain amount of money available to support themselves while they are in the UK.
In addition to the £1,270 you must have to support yourself, you- or your partner or child- will need:
- £285 for your partner
- £315 for one child
- £200 for each additional child
You will need to have had the money in your bank account or your dependent’s bank account for at least 28 days before you or they apply.
You will usually need to show proof of this when you apply unless you or they are applying from inside the UK and you have been here for 1 year or more.
Apply from outside the UK
Your partner and children must either:
- apply online as a partner
- apply online as a child
Each family member will need to complete a separate application and pay the visa fee. They must apply before they travel to the UK.
They will also need your application number- you will get this when you apply. This number is called a Global Web Form (GWF) or a Unique Application Number (UAN). You will find it in emails and letters from the Home Office about your application.
As part of their application, they will need to have their fingerprints and photograph taken at a visa application center. This is to get a biometric residence permit, which they will need to collect within 10 days of when they said they would arrive in the UK.
How long does it take to get a decision
Once they have applied online, proved their identity, and provided their documents, they will usually get a decision within 3 weeks.
They may be able to pay to get their visa faster or use other services depending on which country they are in check with the visa application center.
Apply from inside the UK (extend or switch)
Apply for your partner or child’s visa at the same time as you apply to extend or switch your visa. This includes children who were born or have turned 18 during your stay.
If you cannot apply at the same time, your partner or child can apply to extend or switch their visas at a later date. This must be before their current visa expires.
Your partner or children will not be able to apply to switch to an Innovator visa if they are currently in the UK in one of the following circumstances:
- on a visit visa
- on a short-term student visa
- on a Parent of a Child Student visa
- on a seasonal worker visa
- on a domestic worker in a private household visa
- on immigration bail
- they were permitted to stay outside the immigration rules, for example on compassionate grounds
How to apply
Your partner and child must apply online to either:
- extend or switch to an Innovator visa as your partner
- extend or switch to an Innovator visa as your child
They will need your application number- you will get this when you apply.
As part of their application, they’ll be asked to make an appointment at a UKVCAS service point to provide their biometric information.
They will also need to submit their supporting documents. They can:
- upload them into the online service
- have them scanned at their UKVCAS appointment
They must not travel outside of the UK, Ireland, the Channel Islands, or the Isle of Man until they get a decision. Their application will be withdrawn if they do.
Getting a faster decision
They may be able to pay to get a faster decision- they will be told if they can when they apply.
Children born in the UK
If you have a child while you are in the UK, they do not automatically become a British citizen.
You can apply online for their dependent visa. You must do this if you want to travel in and out of the UK with your child.
You will need to provide a full UK birth certificate for each child, showing the names of both parents.
You must apply for their dependent visa before they turn 18 if they want to stay in the UK.
Extend Your Visa
You can usually apply to extend an Innovator visa if both of the following apply:
- you meet the eligibility requirements
- you are still running a business in the UK or want to set up a new one
Your partner or children will need to apply separately.
You should apply before your current visa expires.
You must have £50,000 in investment funds if you want to set up a new business. You do not need funds if either:
- your business is already established and has been endorsed for an earlier visa
- you have changed your business and already agreed on it with your endorsing body
You need to have your business or business idea assessed by an endorsing body when you extend your visa.
Cost to get your biometric information (fingerprint and photo)
In addition to the application fee, you may need to pay £19.20 to have your biometric information (fingerprints and a photo) taken.
Proving your identity and supplying supporting documents
As part of your application, you will need to prove your identity. How you do this depends on where you are from and what type of passport you have.
You will either:
- give your fingerprints and a photograph (biometric information) at a UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services (UKVCAS) service point- this is to get a biometric residence permit
- use the ‘UK Immigration: ID Check’ app to scan your identity document- you will also create or sign in to your UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account
You will be told what you need to do when you apply.
If you do need an appointment:
- the center may need to keep your passport and documents while they process your application
- you may have to travel to get to your nearest visa application center (this could be in another country)
Apply in the UK
You must apply online.
Once you have started your application, you can save your form and complete it later.
You must not travel outside of the UK, Ireland, the Channel Islands, or the Isle of Man until you get a decision. Your application will be withdrawn if you do.
Apply outside the UK
You can apply online to extend an Innovator visa you have had in the last year.
You may also be able to apply at a visa application center. You can apply from any country as long as you have been permitted to live there for at least 6 months.
How long does it take to get a decision
You will usually get a decision within 8 weeks of your application date.
You will be contacted if your application will take longer.
You may be able to pay to get a faster decision- you will be told if you can when you apply.
After you apply
If you need to change something in your application after you have sent it, contact UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI).
You can ask to cancel your application. You will only get your fee refunded if UKVI has not started processing your application.
You will get an email or a letter containing the decision on your application. This will explain what you need to do next.
Once you have applied, you can stay in the UK until you have been given a decision, as long as you applied before your last visa expired.
Switch to the Innovator Visa
You might be able to apply to change (switch) to an Innovator visa if you are already in the UK on a different type of visa and you meet the eligibility requirements.
Your partner or children will need to apply separately.
You should apply before your current visa expires.
If you have been in the UK for less than 1 year, you will also need to prove you have enough money to support yourself.
You cannot switch to this visa if you have one of the following:
- a visit visa
- a short-term student visa
- a Parent of a Child Student visa
- a seasonal worker visa
- a domestic worker in a private household visa
- immigration bail
- permission to stay outside the immigration rules, for example on compassionate grounds
How long you can stay
You can stay for 3 years after switching to an Innovator visa.
There is no limit on the number of times you can extend your visa.
Proving your identity and supplying supporting documents
As part of your application, you will need to prove your identity. How you do this depends on where you are from and what type of passport you have.
You will either:
- have your fingerprints and photograph taken at a visa application center- this is to get a biometric residence permit
- use the ‘UK Immigration: ID Check’ app to scan your identity document – you will also create or sign in to your UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account
You will be told what you need to do when you apply.
If you do need an appointment:
- the center may need to keep your passport and documents while they process your application
- you may have to travel to get to your nearest visa application center (this could be in another country)
Apply to switch to an Innovator visa
You must apply online.
Once you have started your application, you can save your form and complete it later.
You must not travel outside of the UK, Ireland, the Channel Islands, or the Isle of Man until you get a decision. Your application will be withdrawn if you do.
Continue your application
Sign in to your account using the link from your sign-up email.
How long it take to get a decision
You will usually get a decision within 8 weeks of your application date.
You will be contacted if your application will take longer.
You may be able to pay to get a faster decision- you will be told if you can when you apply.
After you apply
If you need to change something in your application after you have sent it, contact UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI).
You can ask to cancel your application. You will only get your fee refunded if UKVI has not started processing your application.
You will get an email or a letter containing the decision on your application. This will explain what you need to do next.
Once you have applied, you can stay in the UK until you have been given a decision, as long as you applied before your last visa expired.
Settlement Requirements
The business must meet at least two of the following criteria in any combination:
- At least £50,000 has been spent on running a UK company
- Significant increase in the number of customers, higher than the market average
- Research and development activities, patents
- Gross revenue of £1 million in the last year
- Gross revenue of £500,000 in the last year, including £100,000 from exports
- 10 full-time jobs for resident workers
- 5 full-time jobs with an average annual salary of £25,000 (gross)
Your absences from the United Kingdom cannot exceed 180 days in any 12 months during the last 3 years before applying for settlement. Dependents are given ILR based on the main applicant. All adult applicants must also pass an English language test and a Life in the UK test.
British Citizenship and Passport
You and your family can apply to be naturalized or registered as British citizens in 12 months after ILR is granted and once you have spent at least 5 years in the UK. All applicants must meet all the eligibility criteria below. It normally takes 4-6 weeks to get a decision.
- In 5 years prior to applying for citizenship, you cannot spend more than 450 days outside the UK and more than 90 days in the last year.
- You must have clean criminal and immigration records.
- Knowledge of the English language at Level B1 or higher.
- Life in the UK test.
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