Innovator Founder visa π
The Innovator Founder Visa is for start-up entrepreneurs and experienced businesspersons seeking to establish a business in the UK. Applicants do not need to have any specific level of funds to invest in their proposed business, but must have an innovative, viable and scalable business idea, supported by a business plan, which has been approved by an endorsing body.
+ premium legal support
+ comfortable relocation
+ premium legal support
+ comfortable relocation
What is a Innovator Founder visa?
The Innovator Founder Visa is for start-up entrepreneurs and experienced businesspersons seeking to establish a business in the UK. Applicants do not need to have any specific level of funds to invest in their proposed business, but must have an innovative, viable and scalable business idea, supported by a business plan, which has been approved by an endorsing body.
Applicants for an Innovator Founder Visa must have generated, or have significantly contributed to, their business idea. Innovator Founders must also intend to have a key role in the day-to-day management and development of their business.
Innovator Founder visas are valid for 3 years and can lead directly to indefinite leave to remain in the UK at the end of this period. Innovator Founder Visa applicants can bring their partner and any children under the age of 18 to the UK.
Applicants for an Innovator Founder Visa must have generated, or have significantly contributed to, their business idea. Innovator Founders must also intend to have a key role in the day-to-day management and development of their business.
Innovator Founder visas are valid for 3 years and can lead directly to indefinite leave to remain in the UK at the end of this period. Innovator Founder Visa applicants can bring their partner and any children under the age of 18 to the UK.
What are the requirements?
- You have an idea or existing business
- Your English level is not lower than B2
- You have a desire to move to the UK π
How It Works?
1
Assessment
At this stage, we thoroughly review your profile and sign a contract.
2
Preparation Business Plan
Preparation of a professional business plan to expand your current business or formalize your innovative idea
3
Endorsement
The average processing time is 6-8 weeks. Sometimes it can take 2 weeks, and sometimes it can take 10 weeks.
4
Obtaining visa
After receiving approval and confirmation of your documents by endorsing body, we prepare a document package for submission to the Home Office to obtain the visa.
5
Self-sponsorship Visa
If you want to stay in the UK on a work visa so that your stay counts as work experience for ILR, you can get a work visa through self-sponsorship. In this case, our immigration lawyers will help you prepare the necessary package of documents in the shortest possible time, get a license for your company and transfer you to another type of visa.
6
Relocation π©
We will assist you and your family members in organizing your relocation, including opening a bank account, obtaining a national insurance number (NIN) and national health service number (NHS), registering with a GP(family doctor), enrolling your children in kindergarten or school, registering with local authorities, and addressing other important matters related to your move.
How much does it cost?
Β£15,000
Frequently Asked Questions
The current Home Office application fee for an Innovator Founder Visa is Β£1,191 if applying from outside the UK or Β£1,486 if applying to switch into the category from within the UK.
Innovator Founder Visa applicants also need to pay a Β£1,000 (ex. VAT) endorsement fee to the relevant endorsing body.
Innovator Founder Visa applicants also need to pay a Β£1,000 (ex. VAT) endorsement fee to the relevant endorsing body.
Innovator Founder Visa applicants do not need to show any specific amount of funds to invest in their proposed business.
However, the requirement to have a βviableβ and βscalableβ business idea means that, in practice, you will need to demonstrate that you have access to a level of investment funds that is sufficient to set up and grow your business.
The investment funds requirement for an Innovator Founder Visa is, therefore, a flexible provision that is capable of being satisfied by anyone with a genuine proposal for an innovative business and an appropriate level of funds to deliver it, based on the specific financial needs of their business.
However, the requirement to have a βviableβ and βscalableβ business idea means that, in practice, you will need to demonstrate that you have access to a level of investment funds that is sufficient to set up and grow your business.
The investment funds requirement for an Innovator Founder Visa is, therefore, a flexible provision that is capable of being satisfied by anyone with a genuine proposal for an innovative business and an appropriate level of funds to deliver it, based on the specific financial needs of their business.
Unless an exemption applies, Innovator Founder Visa applicants must show English language ability on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages in all 4 components (reading, writing, speaking and listening) of at least level B2.
An applicant who is applying for entry clearance as an Innovator Founder will need to show that they have at least Β£1,270 in personal funds held for a 28-day period prior to the date of application.
In order to qualify for indefinite leave to remain as an Innovator Founder you will need to satisfy UK Visas & Immigration that:
- You have been endorsed by an approved UK endorsing body that is satisfied that you have shown significant achievements judged against the business plan assessed in your previous endorsement, you are registered with Companies House as a Director or Member of your business, your business is active, trading and appears sustainable for at least the following 12 months and you have had an active key role in the day-to-day management and development of the business;;
- You satisfy at least two of the following:
- At least Β£50,000 has been invested into the business and actively spent furthering your business;
- The business has created the equivalent of at least 5 full-time jobs for settled workers, which have an average salary of at least Β£25,000 a year;
- The business has created the equivalent of at least 10 full-time jobs for resident workers with no average salary requirement;
- The number of customers has at least doubled within the most recent 3 years and is currently higher than the mean number of customers for other UK businesses offering comparable main products or services;
- The business has engaged in significant research and development activity and has applied for intellectual property protection in the UK;
- The business has generated a minimum annual gross revenue of Β£1 million in the last full year covered by its accounts;
- The business has generated a minimum annual gross revenue of Β£500,000 in the last full year covered by its accounts, with at least Β£100,000 from exporting overseas.
- You have spent not more than 180 days outside the UK in any rolling 12 month period during the 3 years prior to the date of application; and
- You have sufficient knowledge of the English language and Life in the UK.
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