UK Innovator Founder Visa: Endorsement, Eligibility and Application

The UK Innovator Founder Visa is the primary immigration route for experienced entrepreneurs who want to establish a genuinely new business in the United Kingdom. Introduced in April 2023, it replaced the old Innovator Visa and the Start-up Visa, both of which are now closed.

The route is designed for people who have an original business idea that is innovative, commercially viable, and scalable. Before you can apply for the visa, your business plan must be assessed and endorsed by a Home Office-approved endorsing body. There is no fixed minimum investment requirement, which removes a major barrier that existed under the old route.

One of the strongest features of this route is the settlement pathway: ILR is available after just three years of continuous residence, making it one of the fastest routes to settlement for business migrants currently available in the UK.

To qualify for the Innovator Founder Visa, you must obtain endorsement from an approved endorsing body before applying. The endorsing body assesses your business plan against three criteria:

• Innovation: Your business idea must be genuinely original. It should address a new or existing market need in a distinctive way, not simply replicate an already-trading business model. The Home Office and endorsing bodies look for real novelty, whether in product, service, process, or market approach.
• Viability: Your business must have realistic commercial potential. Endorsers assess your financial plan, market understanding, and your ability to execute the plan. A credible funding plan is expected, even though no fixed monetary amount is required.
• Scalability: Your business plan must show the potential to grow significantly, create employment, and potentially expand into national or international markets. A purely local or non-scalable business will not qualify.

All three criteria must be met. A business that passes on innovation but fails on scalability, for example, will not receive endorsement.

English Language

From January 2026, the English language requirement increased to CEFR Level B2. This must be demonstrated via a Secure English Language Test (SELT) from an approved provider, unless you are a national of a majority English-speaking country or have a degree-level qualification taught in English.

No Fixed Investment Requirement

The £50,000 fixed investment requirement from the old Innovator Visa has been removed. There is no fixed minimum investment figure in the current rules. Endorsing bodies will, however, expect to see a realistic funding plan that matches the ambition of your business plan.

Mandatory Progress Reviews

Innovator Founder Visa holders must attend two mandatory progress reviews with their endorsing body: at approximately 12 months and 24 months after visa grant. These are structured assessments of whether the business is developing in line with the original endorsed plan.

Progress reviews are not informal check-ins. Endorsing bodies examine financial records, customer traction, staffing, and development milestones. Failure to attend, or failure to demonstrate adequate progress, can result in withdrawal of endorsement and curtailment of the visa. Work Permit Cloud advises clients on preparing for both reviews.

Switch from a Student Visa

From 25 November 2025, Student Visa holders who have completed their UK course can switch directly to the Innovator Founder Visa from within the UK, without needing to leave. They can also begin self-employment connected to their endorsed business while the application is being processed — a significant change that removes a major barrier for student entrepreneurs.

Supplementary Employment

Visa holders may take on supplementary employment outside their business, provided it is not the primary purpose of their stay and the role is at RQF Level 3 or above. This flexibility was not available under the old Innovator Visa.

ILR and Citizenship

ILR is available after three continuous years on the Innovator Founder Visa, provided the business is active, both mandatory progress reviews have been completed, and the usual suitability requirements are met. The three-year ILR pathway is confirmed as protected from the UK government's proposed "earned settlement" changes that would extend most work routes to 10 years. Following ILR, British citizenship by naturalisation is available after 12 months. See our UK Settlement Scheme page for the full ILR process.