Innovator Founder Visa

1. Importaint information for the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein citizens

You may be eligible to apply for the free EU Settlement Scheme if you or a family member moved to the UK by December 31, 2020.

For most people, the deadline to apply was 30 June 2021. You can still apply if either:

• you have a later deadline – for example, you’re joining a family member in the UK who was living in the UK by 31 December 2020;
• you have ‘reasonable grounds’ for being unable to apply by 30 June 2021 – for example, you had an illness or were the victim of domestic abuse.

Otherwise, you need a visa to work in the UK.

Irish citizens do not need to apply for a visa or to the EU Settlement Scheme.

2. Eligibility

Before applying each business owner should meet certain requirements:

• be above 18 years old;
• meet the English language requirements;
• have a clear criminal record;
• have a minimum amount of savings available, usually £1270 per applicant;
• be applying for the visa within 3 months of receiving an endorsement letter.

You must be able to show that your business idea is:

• new and different, and not joining a business in the UK that has already been established;
• innovative, with a unique concept to add to the UK market;
• viable, with clear potential for growth;
• scalable, with a clear plan for creating new jobs in the UK and scaling to service national and international markets.

You will also be required to prove:

• that the funding for your business has not come from illicit means;
• that you have or will have a daily role in your business;
• that you are fit and capable of running a business;
• have either created or heavily contributed to the business plan.

You’ll need to get an endorsing body to assess that your business idea meets the requirements. Once you have received confirmation of endorsement, you will be able to apply for the Innovator Founder visa. In order to apply, you must submit your letter of endorsement and proof of funding for your business.

3. Knowledge of English

You must be able to speak, read, write and understand English. You need to provide evidence of the following:

• a degree-level academic qualification that was taught in English – you must apply for a certificate from Ecctis (formerly UK NARIC) if you studied in any foreign country;
• a pass in the Secure English Language Test (SELT) from an approved provider;
• a GCSE, A level, Scottish National Qualification level 4 or 5, Scottish Higher or Advanced Higher in English, gained during the time you spent in a UK school.

4. How long you can stay?

The Innovator Founder visa allows you to stay in the UK for up to three years so long as your business is running. After three years, you and any dependants on your visa may be eligible for permanent residency in the UK. 

To show that your company is progressing, you will need to meet with your endorsing body after 12 and 24 months. If the endorsing body withdraws its endorsement, your visa may be terminated. Before your existing visa expires, you must reapply with a fresh endorsement if you wish to stay longer.

5. If you want to stay longer in the UK

When your visa is about to expire, you can request to extend your stay for an additional three years. The amount of times you can prolong is unlimited.

After you have lived in the UK for three years, you might be eligible to apply for settlement.

6. How to apply?

Applicants should apply online unless they have mitigating circumstances, which means they must apply in person. If they qualify, your partner and kids may seek to come to live with you or remain in the UK as your “dependants.”

7. How long it takes?

You will be required to certify your identity and submit supporting documentation with your application.

If you need an appointment to do this, you might need to budget extra time. When you begin your application, you’ll discover whether you require one.

8. Getting a decision

Following your online application, identification verification, and submission of supporting documentation, you should receive a decision regarding your visa within:

• 3 weeks – if you’re outside the UK;
• 8 weeks – if you’re inside the UK.

For a quicker decision, you might be able to pay if you have an appointment to attend. Whether you are inside or outside of the UK will determine how you proceed with this.

9. Fees

The application fees per applicant are detailed below. You must also pay the annual healthcare surcharge, which usually costs £624 per person.

You must pay the visa fee for each person who applies at the same time as you or applies later to join you in the UK. The fees do not include other costs such as costs associated with retrieving or translating documents, proof of funds for you and your family or any legal representation you might need during the process. If you are applying to extend or switch in the UK, you will also need to have your biometric information (fingerprints and a photo) taken – there’s no fee for this.

10. What you can and cannot do?

If your application is successful, you’ll get a full list of what you can and cannot do with an Innovator Founder visa. In general, if you have an Innovator Founder visa you are allowed to:

• set up businesses and be employed by your businesses
• work another job so long as it is on the eligible Skilled Worker occupation list or is a job that requires a minimum level 3 qualification
• bring your partner and/or children with you as dependants
• have another job as well as working for your business
• settle in the UK permanently after three years if your business is stable
• travel in and out of the UK

You are not allowed to:

• apply for public funds or the State Pension
• work as a professional sportsperson, for example, a football coach

11. How our company can help?

Starting a business abroad is a complicated process. We know that you want to be sure that your business abides by all UK laws. We are here to help you with checking your business plan in accordance with Endorsing Body standards or prepare it for you in accordance to HO requirements.

BS Immigration has an experienced team of immigration advisers that can support you throughout the process of applying for your visa and establishing your business in the UK.