Innovator Founder visa
🇬🇧 United Kingdom visas · Business
What it is
For experienced entrepreneurs setting up an innovative, viable and scalable business in the UK, endorsed by an approved endorsing body. Replaced the Innovator and Start-up visas.
Key facts
- Category
- Business
- Duration
- 3 years per grant, unlimited extensions; settlement after 3 years
- Processing time
- 3–8 weeks
- Maximum validity
- 3 years
- Extendable
- Yes
- Path to permanent residence
- Direct route
- Dependants
- Yes
- Age
- 18 or over
- English requirement
- B2
- How to apply
- Online
- Health insurance
- Not required
Standard figures for this route. Some applicants pay a reduced fee or none at all, so confirm your own case on the official page.
Fees
- Application fee (apply from outside the UK)
- GBP 1,357
- Health surcharge
- GBP 1,035 per year
- Proof of funds (main applicant, held 28 consecutive days before applying…)
- GBP 1,270
- Application fee (extend or switch inside the UK)
- GBP 1,693
- Application fee (endorsement fee (paid to endorsing body, not the Home…)
- GBP 1,000
- Application fee (checkpoint meeting fee (per meeting with endorsing body,…)
- GBP 500
Key requirements
- Innovative business idea different from anything else on the market
- Idea is viable with growth potential and scalable
- Endorsement from an approved endorsing body
- Meet the English language requirement
- Sufficient personal savings
- Cannot join a business already trading
Working on this visa
With an Innovator Founder 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; do work outside your business,…
Bringing family
Your partner and children can also apply to join you or stay in the UK as your 'dependants' if they're eligible.
Money you must show
main applicant, held 28 consecutive days before applying…
Facts checked against the official source. Last updated 19 July 2026.