Why Apply for the UK Startup Visa?

• To attract global entrepreneurs and start-up business founders
• No minimum capital is required for investment
• Stay for 3 years
• Pathway for UK Indefinite Leave to Remain
• Explore the job market and talent pool of the UK
   

The UK is inviting global innovators and entrepreneurs to establish their business ventures through the UK Innovator Founder Visa. It is a popular visa for individuals who want to set up their business in the UK. The visa facilitates entrepreneurs' work on their innovative ideas, fuels technological development, and boosts the UK economy.   

The UK Innovator Founder Visa was introduced in 2023 instead of the Startup Visa.

You can apply for the UK Innovator Founder visa without the required capital to invest in the business. The visa lets you explore prospective job market employees and use supportive policies to boost your business in the UK.

The Innovator Founder Visa is valid for three years and can be extended for three more. This makes you eligible to apply for permanent residency in the UK. After residing in the UK for a continuous period of five years, you can apply for UK ILR or Indefinite Leave to Remain.
 

Benefits of Innovator Founder Visa of the UK  

You can avail of these benefits through the Innovator Founder visa.  

• Stay in the UK for three years.
• No minimum amount is required to start the business
• Apply as a single entrepreneur or as a group
• Establish more than one business
• Pathway to apply for UK ILR
• Sponsor your dependents
• Be employed in the UK with the visa until your startup generates profit
   

Eligibility of UK Innovator Founder Visa

The eligibility criteria for the Innovator Founder Visa are given below. You must:

• Be 18 years or more
• Not have operated a business in the UK previously.
   

Note: Businesses established by Tier 1 Graduate Entrepreneur or Startup Visa are valid.

• Have an endorsement letter issued 3 months before applying
• Possess genuine intention of establishing your business in the UK
• Have the required scores in the English language proficiency test
• Sufficient funds to sponsor yourself and your dependents
   

Requirements for the UK Innovator Founder Visa

The documents required to successfully apply for an Innovator Founder visa are given below. You must have:

• Valid passport
• Endorsement Letter by a lawful endorsement body in the UK
• Adequate funds of:
  • £1270 for yourself
  • £285 for your spouse/partner
  • £200-£315 for any children that you sponsor
• Proof of qualifying the test for English language proficiency
• No criminal records
• Negative test results for Tuberculosis
• Good health certificate
   

How to Apply for the UK Innovator Founder Visa?

The step-by-step procedure for applying for the UK Innovator Founder Visa is given below.

Step 1: Asses your eligibility for the UK Innovator Founder Visa

Step 2: Prepare all the required documents for the application

Step 3: Duly fill out the visa application form

Step 4: Wait for the decision on your Innovator Founder Visa

Step 5: Arrive in the UK
 

Processing Time for the Innovator Founder Visa of the UK

The processing time for the UK Innovator Founder Visa is three weeks.
 

Fee for Innovator Founder Visa of the UK

The processing fee for the UK Innovator Founder visa is Euros 1,191.
 

Ways to Switch to UK Innovator Founder Visa

You can switch to the Innovator Founder Visa from any of the existing UK visas you have, [provided you fulfill the eligibility requirements. To apply for the switch to the UK Innovator Founder Visa, you must reside in the UK at the time of application. You must have a comprehensive business plan, an endorsement letter from a valid British organization,  and provide the required documents, such as:

• A valid passport
• Proof of funds
• Proof of qualifying the English language proficiency test
• Receipt of visa application fee
• Biometric details
   

The UK Start-up visa was introduced in 2019 to replace the UK Tier 1 Graduate Entrepreneur visa. The UK Innovator Founder Visa consequently replaced it.