Innovator Founder visa — for UK founders with an innovative idea

Updated: 2026-05-26 · Data checked against gov.uk

In short

This visa is for founders with a genuinely new, scalable business idea for the UK market. Not for copycat cafés or franchises. Endorsement from one of 3 commercial bodies. ILR in 3 years if you meet 2 of 7 milestones.

£1,357

Visa (out-of-UK)

up to 3 years, out of country

3 years

ILR (2 of 7 milestones)

Faster than Skilled Worker (5 yrs)

£3,000+

Endorsement: total over 3 years

initial £1,000 + 2× £500 contact-points + final settlement endorsement

~£6,400

Min over 3 years

excluding salary and accountancy

Test: will your idea pass the 3 endorsing body tests?

Innovator Founder requires 3 tests. Check them in 30 seconds:

1. Innovation: Is your business idea new for the United Kingdom market?

Not a cafe, franchise or standard consultancy. The idea must be genuinely original.

Is this right for you?

✓Your idea is genuinely new to the UK market — not a franchise, not an existing concept

✓You can defend your plan in an interview — like a PhD viva — with real numbers and market evidence

✓You have capital for the launch — the £50k rule was removed in 2023, but endorsers expect ~24 months of runway

3 commercial endorsing bodies

UK Endorsing Services (UKES)

ukesapp.co.uk — sector-agnostic, 21-day processing, accepts a wide range of industries.

Innovator International

innovatorinternational.com — community-led, mentorship-oriented.

Envestors Limited

envestors.co.uk/visa-endorsement — investor-led, suitable for tech start-ups seeking investment.

Global Entrepreneurs Programme

By invitation from the Department for Business and Trade (DBT) only — cannot apply directly.

All commercial endorsers charge approximately the same — around £3,000 + VAT for the full process.

Real endorsement cost

Initial endorsement fee with a commercial body (Envestors, UKES, Innovator International)£1,000

Contact-point meetings: £500 × 2 month 12 and month 24£1,000

Final settlement endorsement£1,000

Total endorsement over 3 years£3,000

Visa costs separately

Visa fee (out-of-UK, ≤3 years)£1,357

IHS × 3 years (1 adult)£3,105

3 tests for endorsement approval

Innovation

The idea must be new to the UK market. Not a franchise, not an existing solution. You must clearly explain what is innovative.

Viability

A realistic business plan. You have the skills and funds to launch. Market research must show real demand.

Scalability

A plan to hire staff and grow nationally or internationally. A local café is not scalable.

ILR in 3 years — meet 2 of 7 milestones

£50k invested and spent in the business
Customer base has doubled during the visa period
Significant R&D and a UK IP application
£1M annual revenue
£500k revenue + £100k from exports
10 FTE UK employees hired by your company
5 FTE UK employees averaging £25k+ salary

Milestones are assessed at ILR application. Mandatory check-ins at months 12 and 24.

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~9 in 10 refusals are for lack of innovation

AI-generated business plans are rejected. Copycat café and franchise ideas will not pass. Endorsers conduct interviews — you must be able to defend every number. Agencies promising a "guaranteed endorsement" take your money and accept no liability.

Next step

Discuss your business idea with an IAA-regulated adviser or SRA solicitor before paying an endorser. Well-known firms in business immigration include Wesley Gryk Solicitors, Bates Wells and Kingsley Napley — check current regulatory status on the SRA register and IAA register before paying.

Find an IAA-regulated adviser →