UK Innovator Visa
The UK Innovator visa category is aimed at experienced entrepreneurs seeking to establish a new business in the UK. Under this route, applicants are required to demonstrate an innovative, viable and scalable business idea which is supported by a Home Office approved Endorsing Body.
- Applicants applying for an Innovator visa with a new business endorsement will need to demonstrate that they have either invested or have available at least £50,000 to invest in their new business. Multiple Innovator applicants can apply for endorsement to be co-directors of the same company, however, each applicant must also independently demonstrate that they each have a separate £50,000 available to invest.
- The initial visa is granted for a period of 3 years. Innovator applicants will be able to apply to extend their stay after 3 years, for a further 3 years (provided that they meet the relevant criteria) or may be able to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain.
- The key requirement for the Innovator Visa is an Endorsement Letter from a Home office approved Endorsing Body. All applications are assessed for innovation, viability and scalability.
In order to meet the Innovator requirements, the following criteria must be met :
- Applicants must be least 18 years old.
- The business idea must be endorsed by a relevant Endorsing Body
- The Endorsing Body must not have withdrawn the endorsement prior to the application being considered
- Applicant must have a sufficient amount of personal savings to support themselves whilst residing in the UK
- Applicant must meet the English language requirement
- Should the applicant wish to set up a new business, they must have investment funds of at least £50,000. These funds may come from a variety of sources
- Applicants may form a team with other Innovator applicants, but may not share the same investment funds and each must be able to meet the individual investment fund requirement
- Innovators are able to apply to extend their stay after 3 years for a further 3-year period, or may settle permanently in the UK should certain conditions be met.
- The following requirements must be met in order to apply for an extension of stay :
- Applicants must remain running a UK business, or intend to incorporate a new business
- Applicants must have an existing established business accompanied with a relevant endorsement for the earlier visa
- Applicants must have at least £50,000 investment funds in order to start a new business venture, and the new business model must be assessed by an Approved Body
- Applicants must have sufficient funds to support themselves without reliance on public funding
- Applicants may include any dependents included within their current visa on the application to extend, including children who have reached 18 years of age during their stay in the UK.
- Innovator Visa holders may apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) following their fifth year within the UK, or after 3 years should their business have been significantly successful.
- This assessment is completed by reviewing progress made and achievements accomplished. Following a one-year period of holding a settled status, the applicant may apply for naturalization provided they are able to demonstrate continuous UK residence for a minimum of 5 years.
Applicants must meet the following requirements to apply for ILR in the Innovator category :
- Applicants must have been resident in the UK for a period of 3 years prior to the application date
- Applicants must have been granted their most recent grant of leave as an Innovator
- Applicants must be able to demonstrate satisfactory knowledge of the English language
- Applicants must have passed the Life in the UK test
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 family members with you
You cannot:
- do any work outside your business, for example work where you’re employed by another business
- work as a doctor or dentist in training
- work as a professional sportsperson, for example a sports coach
- get public funds
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