Innovator Founder Visa UK
- Details
- Written by: Wembley Solicitors
If you want to apply for a UK innovator founder visa, call our immigration solicitors in London on 020 3417 3700. We can help with your UK innovator founder visa application by providing expert guidance, legal advice, and support throughout the process.
Table of Contents
- What is an innovator founder visa?
- Requirements for an innovator founder visa UK
- Endorsing bodies for innovator founder visa
- Business plan for Innovator founder visa
- Innovator founder visa fees
- UK innovator founder visa processing time
- Innovator founder visa solicitors in London
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- Need legal advice and assistance?
What is an innovator founder visa?
The innovator visa is a type of UK work visa designed for experienced entrepreneurs who want to set up and run an innovative business in the United Kingdom.
To be eligible to apply for a UK innovator visa, you must be able to demonstrate that your business idea is new, innovative, viable, and scalable.
Requirements for an innovator founder visa UK
- Age Requirement: There is usually no specific age limit for the innovator founder visa, but applicants must be at least 18 years old.
- Endorsement by an Approved Body: The primary requirement is to have your business idea endorsed by an approved endorsing body in the UK. These endorsing bodies assess the innovation, viability, and scalability of the proposed business.
- Innovative Business Idea: Your business idea must be innovative, with the potential for growth and success in the UK market.
- English Language Proficiency: You may need to meet certain English language proficiency standards. This ensures effective communication and integration into the UK business environment.
- Maintenance Funds: Applicants are generally required to demonstrate that they have sufficient funds to support themselves and any dependents in the UK without relying on public funds.
- Tuberculosis Test: Depending on your country of residence, you might need to undergo a tuberculosis (TB) test as part of the visa application process.
You must meet all other requirements depending on your circumstances. Feel free to ask a question to our expert immigration solicitor regarding your UK innovator founder visa application.
Endorsing bodies for innovator founder visa
To qualify for the innovator founder visa, applicants needed to have their business ideas endorsed by an approved endorsing body in the UK. These endorsing bodies assessed the innovation, viability, and scalability of the proposed business.
The four organisations listed below can issue endorsements for Innovator Founder Visas.
- UK Endorsing Services
- Innovator International
- Envestors Limited
- The Global Entrepreneurs Programme (GEP)
Business plan for Innovator founder visa
A detailed business plan is typically required as part of the innovator founder visa application process in the UK. The business plan serves as a crucial document that outlines the details of your proposed business, demonstrating its viability, innovation, and potential for growth in the UK market.
The business plan for the innovator founder visa application may include:
- Business Idea: A clear description of the business idea, its objectives, and the products or services it will offer.
- Market Analysis: An analysis of the target market, competitors, and potential customers to demonstrate the demand for your product or service.
- Marketing and Sales Strategy: Details of how you plan to promote and sell your products or services, including pricing strategies, distribution channels, and sales forecasts.
- Operational Plan: Information about the business operations, including location, suppliers, production processes, and any necessary licenses or permits.
- Financial Projections: Financial forecasts, including projected income, expenses, cash flow statements, and break-even analysis to demonstrate the financial viability of the business.
- Investment Requirements: Details of the investment required to start and operate the business, including how the funds will be used and the applicant's commitment to investing in the business.
- Job Creation: If applicable, information about the potential job creation and employment opportunities that the business will generate in the UK.
Having a well-prepared and comprehensive business plan is essential for demonstrating to the endorsing body and the UK Home Office that your business idea is innovative, viable, and has the potential for success in the UK.
It's advisable to seek guidance from our expert UK immigration solicitors based in London to ensure that your business plan meets the requirements and effectively supports your innovator founder visa application.
Innovator founder visa fees
The application fee for an innovator founder visa depends on the type of application and where you apply from.
Please note that these fees are subject to change, and you should always check the most up-to-date information on the UK government's official website before applying for a visa.
UK innovator founder visa processing time
On average, innovator founder visa applications made outside the UK take up to 3 weeks. It takes around 8 weeks if you apply from inside the UK.
Applicants are advised to check the latest information about UK visa application processing time on the official UK government website either applying from inside the UK or outside the UK.
Innovator founder visa solicitors in London
Our expert team of UK immigration solicitors and lawyers will be able to assist you with any type of UK innovator founder visa application.
Immigration solicitors at Wembley Solicitors will:
- Provide detailed immigration advice.
- Assess your circumstances and eligibility for a UK visa application.
- Explain the entire UK visa application process.
- Give you a completed checklist of documents according to the type of visa application and your circumstances.
- Check all the supporting documents to ensure that they are sufficient and in the correct format.
- Fill out the complete application form and prepare detailed representations/cover letter for the Home Office UKVI about the Immigration Rules.
- Book an appointment for you to enrol your biometrics.
- Upload all the supporting documents.
- Liaise with the Home Office UKVI throughout the process until we receive the decision.
- Keep you updated with every stage of your visa or immigration application.
Contact our immigration solicitors in Wembley, London on 020 3417 3700 or fill in the enquiry form for immediate legal advice & assistance with your UK visa application.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Individuals with an innovative and viable business idea, endorsed by an approved endorsing body in the UK, are eligible to apply for the innovator founder visa.
Before you apply for the innovator founder visa, you need to have your business idea endorsed by an authorised endorsing body in the UK. Once endorsed, you must apply online, pay the visa application fee, and submit all the supporting documents.
While specific amounts may vary, there is typically a requirement for a minimum investment in the proposed business. The investment should demonstrate the applicant's commitment to the venture.
Yes, you can bring your spouse, civil partner, and dependent children under the age of 18 to the UK on the innovator founder visa.
The innovator founder visa is typically granted for an initial period of 3 years, and individuals can apply for extensions if they continue to meet the visa requirements.
In some cases, individuals may be able to switch to the innovator founder visa from certain other visa categories while in the UK. It's essential to get legal advice from an expert UK immigration solicitor to check the specific eligibility criteria.
Need Legal Advice & Assistance?
We provide expert advice, practical assistance, and professional representation to guide you through the application and decision-making process, from start to finish.
We're authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA), so you know you're in safe hands.
Contact our solicitor today to get legal advice and assistance with your UK immigration matters.
You can call us on 02034173700 or leave your details here for a callback request regarding your legal matter.
Legal Disclaimer
The information provided is for general informational purposes only and should not be taken as legal advice. While we make every effort to ensure accuracy, the law may change, and the information may not reflect the most current legal developments. No warranty is given regarding the accuracy or completeness of the information, and we do not accept liability in such cases. We recommend consulting with a qualified lawyer at Moeen & Co. Solicitors before making any decisions based on the information provided on this website.
