Every Innovator Founder Visa application stands or falls on its endorsement. Only a small number of Home Office-approved endorsing bodies can assess your business idea — and choosing the right one, with the right preparation, is the single biggest factor in a successful application.
Endorsement must come from an organisation on the Home Office approved list — an endorsement from anyone else is invalid.
Reviewed by the Morgan Smith Immigration team — IAA-regulated UK immigration specialists. Last reviewed 2026-07-08.
TL;DR
An Innovator Founder endorsement is a formal assessment by a Home Office-approved endorsing body confirming a business idea is new, innovative, viable and scalable. The endorsement fee is £1,000 (excluding VAT), contact point meetings cost £500 each with at least two required, and the endorsement letter is valid for 3 months — the visa application must be made within that window.
£1,000
Endorsement fee (excl. VAT)
4 bodies
Currently approved for new endorsements
3 months
Endorsement letter validity
What is an Innovator Founder Endorsement?
An endorsement is the gateway requirement of the Innovator Founder route. Before the Home Office will consider a visa application, an approved endorsing body must assess the business idea and confirm in a formal endorsement letter that it is new, innovative, viable and scalable, and that the applicant has made a significant contribution to it.
As at the Home Office list updated in April 2026, three organisations can issue endorsements for new Innovator Founder applications: UK Endorsing Services, Innovator International and Envestors Limited. A fourth, The Global Entrepreneurs Programme (GEP), endorses only founders already invited onto its programme.
A further group of legacy endorsing bodies — including universities, accelerators and investors that endorsed under the old Innovator and Start-up routes — can no longer take new applicants. They may only provide further endorsements for people they endorsed before 13 April 2023.
After the visa is granted, the relationship continues: the endorsing body holds contact point meetings with the founder to check the business is progressing against the endorsed plan. At least two meetings are required during the 3-year grant, at £500 each.
The Approved Endorsing Bodies
Only organisations on the Home Office list can endorse an Innovator Founder application.
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Business Endorsing Bodies
UK Endorsing Services, Innovator International and Envestors Limited can endorse new Innovator Founder applications (and Scale-up sponsorship). Each has its own application process, sector focus and assessment style — founders can choose which to approach.
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The Global Entrepreneurs Programme
GEP is a government programme for high-growth founders relocating to the UK. It issues Innovator Founder endorsements only for founders already invited onto the programme — you cannot simply apply to GEP for an endorsement.
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Legacy Endorsing Bodies
Around 60 universities, accelerators and investors that endorsed under the old Innovator and Start-up routes remain listed as legacy bodies. They can only re-endorse people they endorsed before 13 April 2023 — no new applicants.
What You Can and Cannot Do
What an endorsement does — and does not — do.
✓ You Can
- Choose your endorsing body from the current Home Office approved list.
- Be assessed on your idea’s merits — new, innovative, viable and scalable, with your significant contribution to it.
- Use the endorsement for 3 months — the visa application must be submitted within that window.
- Be re-endorsed for extensions — a fresh endorsement supports each extension and there is no limit on extensions.
- Prepare before you apply — a strong business plan, credible financials and clear evidence of your role dramatically improve endorsement prospects.
✗ You Cannot
- Use an endorsement from an unlisted organisation — only bodies on the Home Office list count, and offers from anyone else should be reported.
- Apply to GEP directly — it endorses only founders already invited onto its programme.
- Use a legacy body as a new applicant — legacy bodies can only re-endorse pre-April-2023 endorsees.
- Let the letter expire — an endorsement more than 3 months old cannot support a visa application.
- Skip contact point meetings — the endorsing body can withdraw endorsement if the business stops progressing against the endorsed plan.
Costs & Fees
Current fees as of 2026. Set by the Home Office — subject to change.
Fees set by the Home Office and subject to change. Last reviewed: July 2026.
| Item | Cost (2026) |
|---|---|
| Endorsement fee | £1,000 excl. VAT |
| Contact point meeting | £500 each (min. two) |
| Visa fee — outside UK | £1,357 per person |
| Visa fee — extend or switch | £1,693 per person |
| Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) | ~£1,035 per year |
How to Get Endorsed
Five steps from business idea to endorsement letter.
Prepare the Business Case
Develop the business plan, financial model and evidence that the idea is new, innovative, viable and scalable, with your significant contribution to it.
Choose an Endorsing Body
Compare UK Endorsing Services, Innovator International and Envestors Limited on process, sector experience and timescales; GEP applies only to invited founders.
Apply for Endorsement
Submit the endorsing body’s application with the £1,000 fee and respond to its assessment questions or interviews.
Receive the Endorsement Letter
If endorsed, use the letter within 3 months in the Innovator Founder visa application.
Receive Your Decision
Visa decisions usually take 3 weeks outside the UK or 8 weeks inside, after identity and documents are provided.
Speak to Our Team Today
Fill in the form and an immigration specialist will be in touch within one business day.
Request a Consultation
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Sources
Legal information on this page is based on guidance from GOV.UK, the UK Home Office / UK Visas and Immigration, legislation.gov.uk, and Free Movement. Rules change frequently — speak to our team to confirm current requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Innovator Founder endorsement and endorsing bodies.
Who can endorse an Innovator Founder visa application?
Only organisations on the Home Office approved list. As at April 2026 that means UK Endorsing Services, Innovator International and Envestors Limited for new applications, plus The Global Entrepreneurs Programme for founders already invited onto its programme.
How much does an Innovator Founder endorsement cost?
The endorsement fee is £1,000 excluding VAT, paid directly to the endorsing body. Contact point meetings after the visa is granted cost £500 each, and at least two are required during the 3-year grant.
What do endorsing bodies assess?
Whether the business idea is new, innovative, viable and scalable, whether the applicant made a significant contribution to it, and — for a new business — whether there is sufficient funding and a credible commercial plan, including where the funding comes from.
How long is an Innovator Founder endorsement valid?
The endorsement letter must be no more than 3 months old on the date of the visa application. If it expires, a fresh endorsement is needed before applying.
What is a contact point meeting?
A progress check with your endorsing body after the visa is granted, confirming the business is developing against the endorsed plan. At least two meetings are required at £500 each, and the endorsing body can withdraw endorsement if the business is not progressing.
Can a university or accelerator endorse me for Innovator Founder?
Not for a new application. Universities, accelerators and investors that endorsed under the old Innovator and Start-up routes are now legacy bodies — they can only provide further endorsements for people they endorsed before 13 April 2023.
What is The Global Entrepreneurs Programme (GEP)?
A UK government programme for high-growth founders relocating their business to the UK. It issues Innovator Founder endorsements, but only for founders it has already invited onto the programme — there is no open application for GEP endorsement.
What happens if my endorsement is refused?
There is no appeal to the Home Office because endorsement sits with the endorsing body. Founders can strengthen the business case and reapply, or approach a different approved body — each has its own assessment approach.
Do I need a new endorsement to extend my Innovator Founder visa?
Yes. Each extension application needs a fresh endorsement confirming the business continues to meet the route requirements. There is no limit on the number of extensions.
Can Morgan Smith Immigration help with endorsement?
Yes. Our IAA-regulated immigration advisers prepare founders for endorsement — shaping the business plan around the innovative/viable/scalable test, choosing the right endorsing body and managing the visa application once the endorsement letter is issued. We cannot guarantee an endorsing body’s decision, but we make sure your case is presented the way assessors expect.
Preparing for Endorsement?
Our immigration specialists handle everything from sponsor licence checks to visa approval — for employers and applicants alike.