In this article
The Innovator Visa provides an opportunity for aspiring businesspeople to progress in the UK. It is very competitive, meaning you’ll need a well-planned application with strong supporting documents.
This article will cover all you need to know about Innovator Visas, including requirements, eligibility and how to apply.
If you need assistance from our team, contact us by calling 0203 007 5500 or sending an email to [email protected].
Credit: top of page background image courtesy of Chris Boland.
What is an Innovator Visa?
The Innovator Visa is for experienced businesspeople who intend to set up or run a business in the UK.
An Innovator Visa is a business visa that will give the holder access to the booming UK market. It gives you a chance to:
- Expand your business
- Increase the number of customers worldwide
- Contribute to the British economy by creating new jobs
The visa was set up back in March 2019.
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How can I be eligible?
Before you can apply, an endorsing body must first assess your business or idea. They measure this by looking for innovation, viability, and scalability (as detailed below).
You must prove to the body that you will spend your entire working time in the UK developing your business venture. They will provide you with an endorsement letter if your business is eligible.
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 that is different from anything else on the market
- Viable – the idea must have potential for growth
To qualify for an Innovator Visa, you must also:
- Meet the English language requirement
- Be at least 18 years old
- Have a minimum £50,000 to invest in your new business
- Be able to prove that you have enough personal savings to support yourself whilst in the UK
After recieving visa approval, you will have three important checkpoints – 6, 12, and 24 months. After that, you’ll need to update the endorsing body on your progress and confirm compliance with all the requirements.
What does my plan need to include?
To gain endorsement, you will need to carefully prepare a detailed business plan for your existing business or new business idea.
The business plan will need to show that your idea is:
- Innovative – you’ll need to provide an original and genuine business plan that has a clear and detailed layout. It will need to cover how you will meet a new or existing market need, and/or create a competitive advantage.
- Viable – your plan must show you have a realistic chance of making the business successful. You’ll need to demonstrate relevant experience, market knowledge and business skills.
- Scalable – your plan will need to prove that there is real potential to grow the business, create jobs, and expand into domestic and overseas markets.
It is up to the relevant endorsing body to decide if your business plan is valid.
What does an endorsing body look for?
The most critical part of applying for an Innovator Visa is an endorsement. An endorsing body must approve your existing innovative business or new business idea to be successful.
When deciding whether to endorse a business plan, the endorsing body will consider:
- Is there a need for the business in the UK?
- Does the business bring anything new to pre-existing markets?
- Has the applicant done enough market research?
- Are there realistic, sustainable product goals in place?
- Is there a long-term plan for the venture?
- Will the business gain enough “traction” in the market?
- Is there potential for growth in the UK?
Applicants require endorsement before applying for an Innovator Visa. This ensures that only businesses that are likely to be successful can progress to the next phase – the application.
The endorsing body you need to approach will depend on the type of business you intend to establish in the UK. You can find a full list of the endorsing bodies on the UK Government website.
When you speak to your endorsing body, they will explain their endorsement process to you. Furthermore, they will provide the necessary resources to allow you to apply.
If successful, you will receive a letter of endorsement which you can then use tto apply for an Innovator Visa.
What are the English Language requirements for an Innovator Visa?
You can meet the English language requirement in any of the following:
- Passing a Secure English Language Test (SELT) from an approved provider
- Having GCSE ‘A level’ or Scottish National Qualification level 4 or 5
- If you have completed a degree-level academic qualification with instruction in English (if studied abroad)
You’ll also need to be a national of one of the following countries:
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Australia
- The Bahamas
- Barbados
- Belize
- The British Overseas Territories
- Canada
- Dominica
- Grenada
- Guyana
- Jamaica
- Malta
- New Zealand
- St Kitts and Nevis
- St Lucia
- St Vincent and The Grenadines
- Trinidad and Tobago
- USA
How long does an Innovator Visa allow me to stay in the country?
You can stay in the country for 3 years if:
- You come to the UK on an Innovator Visa
- You switch to an Innovator Visa from another visa whilst in the UK
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 and, crucially, you may be able to apply for settlement after 3 years.
Can I include my partner and children?
Yes – you can include your partner and children on your Innovator Visa as ‘dependants’ if they are eligible.
An eligible dependant partner or child includes any of the following:
- A husband, wife, civil partner or unmarried partner
- Your child under 18 – including if they were born in the UK during your stay
- Your child over 18 if they’re currently in the UK as your dependant
For partners to be eligible, you must be able to prove that either:
- You’re in a civil partnership or marriage that’s recognised in the UK
- You’ve been living together in a relationship for at least 2 years when you apply
For children over the age of 16 to be eligible, they must:
- Live with you (unless they’re in full-time education at boarding school, college or university)
- Not be in a marriage, in a civil partnership or have any children
- Be financially supported by you
It’s important to provide relevant information to prove that your partner and children are who you say they are.
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How much does an Innovator Visa cost?
Below we have listed the disbursements that you’ll need to pay in order to apply for an Innovator Visa.
| Applicant | Applying outside of the UK | Applying from within the UK |
|---|---|---|
| You | £1,036 | £1,292 |
| Partner and children | £1,036 per person | £1,036 per person |
On top of this, you’ll need to pay a healthcare surcharge per year. For more information on how much you’ll need to pay, visit the UK Government website.
How long does the visa take to process?
Once you have applied online, proved your identity and provided the necessary documents, you should get a decision on your visa within:
- 3 weeks (if you’re outside of the UK)
- 8 weeks (if you’re inside the UK)
Times will vary depending on the number of other visa applications at the time.
Will an Innovator Visa lead to Indefinite Leave to Remain?
An Innovator visa provides the visa holder a clear pathway to settlement. The UK knows this as Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR).
ILR will allow you to remain permanently in the UK without being subject to immigration control. Furthermore, after another year, you will be able to apply for British citizenship.
To gain ILR with an Innovator visa, you will need to live and work in the UK for 3 years and meet the criteria attached to the route.
This criterion focuses on the success of your business. This helps to ensure that applicants are genuine and that they are running their businesses as described. Some important questions to consider are as follows:
1. How long must I reside in the UK to apply for ILR?
You must have resided in the UK for 3 years with an Innovator Visa. Time spent in the country on any other visa type will not count towards ILR.
2. Can I leave the country on an Innovator Visa and still be eligible for ILR?
You must not have been outside the UK for more than 180 days in any 1-year period whilst holding the visa.
3. Will applying for ILR require another endorsement for my business plan?
Yes – applying for ILR will require you to gain a new endorsement showing you have now met the requirements for growing your business.
4. What else will I need to complete?
Alongside the visa application, you’ll need to complete the Life in the UK test. The UK Government requires all citizen and settlement applicants to complete this before granting their application.
5. How soon before eligibility can I apply for ILR?
Through the Innovator Visa route, you can apply for ILR 28 days before you become eligible.
6. How much will it cost?
The application fee for ILR as an Innovator visa holder is £2,389 for each person who is applying.
How can Britton and Time Solicitors help?
Applying for a visa in the UK can be extremely stressful and competitive. It’s important that your application is solid and watertight, otherwise you risk rejection.
By contacting our expert immigration team today, we can give you the answers you need, thus making your immigration experience as smooth as possible.
To arrange your initial consultation with one of our solicitors, simply call us on 020 3007 5500 or send an email to [email protected]
Cover image by Chris Boland: www.chrisboland.com
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