A Brief Introduction to the Innovator Founder Visa (Initial Application)
Published on 22 January 2025,
If a migrant wants to work in the UK, they will need to have a visa eligible for them to work. Each visa would have different specific requirements and restrictions of what a migrant can and cannot do.
In the year ending September 2024, 241,719 visas were granted to main applicants in all work categories. The Innovator Founder visa is one of these work related visas. It is for migrants looking to run one or more businesses in the UK. However, as its requirements are quite hard to meet, only a small number are granted each year. We could not see any official figures in the Government’s immigration statistics, but we expect less than 2000 people were granted this visa in 2024.
Even though this does not suit most people, it is still a good route for those who meet the immigration criteria. This route gives the applicant an opportunity to be able to obtain their Indefinite Leave to Remain in 3 years, rather than 5 years which is more typical for other visa routes.
In this article, we briefly introduce the immigration rules for the Innovator Founder visa and the general application process in practice.
A. The eligibility requirements for an initial Innovator Founder application (the law changed from Innovator to Innovator Founder in April 2023) are as follows:
1. Business Plan and role requirement for an Innovator Founder
Based on the Innovator Founder Appendix, it requires
an applicant have a business plan and have either generated or made a significant contribution to the ideas in that business plan;
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.
Essentially, this means if a person really wants to set up and run a business with an Innovator Founder visa, they should demonstrate they will make a significant contribution, have a day-to-day role in its operation and be a sole founder or instrumental member.
2. Innovative, viable and scalable business requirements for an Innovator Founder
Innovation: The immigration rules state that an applicant must have a genuine and original business plan that meets new or existing market needs and/or creates a competitive advantage.
If you solely follow this guidance, ‘innovation’ can be interpreted in various ways. However, the Home Office released further guidance in April 2023 which clarifies their position. They want new and unique business ideas or products which cannot be easily replaced by a competitor. Based on my experience reviewing feedback from the endorsement bodies, they normally require a business to have technology related ideas or products as this would be more likely to meet the requirements.
Viability: The immigration rules state the applicant’s business plan must be realistic and achievable based on the applicant’s available resources; and the applicant must have, or be actively developing, the necessary skills, knowledge, experience and market awareness to successfully run the business
Generally, an applicant should think deeply about their business and do comprehensive market research before they apply to an endorsing body. For example, why is your product innovative? What is your unique selling point? Who are your competitors? What skills can you contribute to this business? Do you have a business partner and if so, what are their duties? What are your recruitment plans in the next 3-5 years? What is your financial plan for the next 3-5 years? There is much more to cover. Importantly, the whole business plan needs to be realistic and not overly ambitious.
Generally, the thorough business research undertaken by the applicant helps consolidate their vision for the business and makes the whole application process easier.
Scalability: The immigration rules state there must be evidence of structured planning and of potential for job creation and growth into national and international markets.
This indicates that an applicant should have a scalable business, rather than just a self-run business. we do not mean a self-run business is bad and it could indeed be incredibly profitable. However, for this visa, the business plan needs to have an ambition to hire more people and/or expand into overseas markets.
3. English Language requirement for an Innovator Founder
The immigration rules state that, unless an exemption applies, the applicant must demonstrate an English language ability of at least B2 according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages in all 4 components (reading, writing, speaking and listening).
An applicant can meet the requirements in various ways. For example: an applicant passes an IELTS exam with a score of 5.5 or above; an applicant has a University level or higher degree from an English speaking country etc. Of course, if we take you as a client, we will check your documents and advise in detail.
4. Financial requirement for an Innovator Founder
An applicant must show that they have held £1,270 for a 28 day period if they apply for the visa overseas or they have been in the UK with permission for less than 12 months on the date of application. If an applicant lives in the UK for over 12 months and switches to an Innovator Founder visa, they do not need to show savings of £1,270.
B. The above are the general requirements. In practice, this visa route requires an applicant to apply in two stages.
1. Application to an Endorsing Body
The first stage is to submit an applicant’s business plan and other personal information to an endorsing body. The endorsing body will assess the business plan to see whether the plan meets the innovative, viable and scalable business requirements (there are other matters they would check, but we do not include this in this summary). They will also carry out due diligence on the information the applicant provided, such as their source of funds.
There are currently only four endorsing bodies (there were around 65 before 13 April 2023). They now charge a consistent fee of £1,000 (including or excluding VAT) for each submission. Each endorsing body has their own internal evaluation, but they all follow the immigration rules.
Before clients submit an application, we usually spend lots of time reviewing, discussing and revising their business plan to make sure the plan meets the immigration requirements. This is because if the endorsing body believes it does not meet the requirements, they will refuse the application quickly. The applicant can amend the business plan and reapply but they will have to pay £1,000 (either including or excluding VAT) again. It is better to prepare thoroughly before applying.
Typically, if the endorsing bodies decide the business plan likely meets the immigration requirements, they will interview the applicant before they issue an Endorsement Letter. After the applicant receives an Endorsement Letter, they can proceed to the second stage. We do rehearsal interviews with clients if needed.
2. Visa Application to the Home Office
The second stage is to submit a visa application to the Home Office. In addition to checking an applicant’s personal background, the Home Office will also check the Endorsement Letter. The Home Office is also likely to access the applicant’s business information from the endorsing body. The applicant should be prepared that the Home Office may want to see further business related documents or do another interview before they issue a visa. Again, we help throughout the whole process whatever meets clients’ needs.
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The above is a brief introduction to the Innovator Founder route. We hope it helps you gain a better understanding of this visa. If you would like to discuss your specific visa matters, please feel free to contact us.
Written by Pei-Ting Yu (Lara Mosley)
