Innovator Founder

The UK offers a path to permanent residency (ILR) and citizenship for qualified entrepreneurs who set up and run a new UK-based business deemed “innovative, viable, and scalable.”

You must be able to show that your business idea is: new - you cannot join a business that is already trading innovative - you must have an original business idea which is different from anything else on the market viable, with potential for growth scalable - you must give evidence of planning that includes creating jobs and growing into national and international markets

your business or business idea has been endorsed by an approved body, also known as an endorsing body

You must be able to show that your business idea is: new - you cannot join a business that is already trading innovative - you must have an original business idea which is different from anything else on the market viable, with potential for growth scalable - you must give evidence of planning that includes creating jobs and growing into national and international markets

If you want to set up a new business You’ll need to prove to your endorsing body that you have enough funding and where it’s from. You do not need any investment funds if either: your business is already established and has been endorsed for an earlier visa you’ve changed your business and already agreed it with your endorsing body Supporting yourself You need to have had at least £1,270 in your bank account for 28 consecutive days before you either: apply for an Innovator Founder visa apply to extend your Innovator Founder visa or switch to an Innovator Founder visa if you’ve been in the UK for less than a year You cannot use either of the following to support yourself: money from your investment funds money earned while working in the UK illegally

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, as long as it’s a job needing at least a level 3 qualification bring your partner and children with you as your ‘dependants’ , if they’re eligible travel abroad and return to the UK apply to settle permanently in the UK (also known as ‘indefinite leave to remain’) if you’ve lived in the UK for 3 years and meet the other eligibility requirements You cannot: apply for most benefits (‘ public funds ’) work as a professional sportsperson, for example a sports coach

You can stay for 3 years if you either: come to the UK on an Innovator Founder visa switch to this visa from another visa while in the UK

You’ll need to meet with your endorsing body after 12 months and 24 months to show you’re making progress with your business. Your visa may be cut short if your endorsement is withdrawn by the endorsing body. If you want to stay longer, you must re-apply with a new endorsement before your current visa expires.

You can apply to extend your stay for another 3 years when your visa is due to expire. There’s no limit on the number of times you can extend.

You may be able to apply for settlement once you’ve been in the UK for 3 years.