The Innovator Founder Visa is the main UK business immigration route for overseas entrepreneurs with an innovative, viable and scalable business idea endorsed by an approved body. It now covers the practical pathway for many founders who previously searched for the Innovator Visa, Innovator extension or Start-up Visa routes.
Previously known as the Innovator Visa route; Start-up Visa is closed, and Tier 1 Entrepreneur extensions are no longer available.
Reviewed by Morgan Smith Immigration · IAA-regulated UK immigration advisers · Last reviewed
TL;DR
The Innovator Founder Visa lets an endorsed entrepreneur set up and run an innovative UK business, with an application fee of £1,357 outside the UK and £1,693 to extend or switch inside the UK. It is granted for 3 years, with typical decisions in 3 weeks outside the UK or 8 weeks inside the UK. It replaced the old Innovator Visa, while Start-up applicants may be able to switch and Tier 1 Entrepreneur extensions are closed.
£1,357
Application fee outside UK
3 years
Initial grant and extension
3 weeks
Typical decision outside UK
What is the Innovator Founder Visa?
The Innovator Founder Visa is for entrepreneurs who want to establish and run a business in the UK based on an idea that is new, innovative, viable and scalable. GOV.UK confirms that the route used to be called the Innovator Visa and requires endorsement from an approved endorsing body.
This page also helps founders who are searching for legacy routes. The Start-up Visa is closed to new applicants, but GOV.UK says existing Start-up migrants may be able to switch to Innovator Founder if their visa is ending and they want to stay in the UK for business. Tier 1 Entrepreneur is also closed, and GOV.UK states that existing Tier 1 Entrepreneur migrants can no longer extend their visa.
For UK businesses and founder-led companies, the route matters because the founder must have a key role in the day-to-day management and development of the business. The visa can be extended repeatedly with a fresh endorsement, and settlement may be possible after 3 years if the Innovator Founder settlement requirements are met.
Applicants must plan for the Home Office fee, the endorsing body endorsement fee, contact point meeting fees and the Immigration Health Surcharge. They must also meet the English language and maintenance requirements unless an exemption applies.
Eligibility Requirements
You must satisfy all three conditions to qualify for the Innovator Founder Visa.
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Endorsed Business Idea
The business or business idea must be endorsed by an approved endorsing body. The idea must be new, innovative, viable and scalable, and the applicant must have significantly contributed to it.
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Founder Role and Business Plan
The applicant must be establishing or running the business and should have a key role in its day-to-day management and development. For a new business, the endorsing body will assess funding, source of funds and the commercial plan.
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English and Maintenance
Applicants must be at least 18, meet the English language requirement and show at least £1,270 in personal savings for 28 consecutive days unless exempt. Investment funds cannot be used as personal maintenance.
What You Can and Cannot Do
Your rights and restrictions while in the UK on a Innovator Founder Visa.
✓ You Can
- Set up one or more businesses in the UK under the endorsed business plan.
- Work for your own business as a director or as a self-employed partner.
- Take qualifying outside work if the job needs at least RQF level 3 skills.
- Bring eligible dependants including a partner and children.
- Extend repeatedly with a new endorsement if the business continues to meet the route requirements.
- Apply for settlement after 3 years if the Innovator Founder ILR requirements are met.
✗ You Cannot
- Use public funds because most benefits are not permitted.
- Work as a professional sportsperson, including as a sports coach.
- Join an ordinary trading business if the application is based on a new-business endorsement.
- Rely on illegal UK earnings to meet the personal savings requirement.
- Treat Tier 1 Entrepreneur extension as open because GOV.UK says that route can no longer be extended.
- Settle automatically because ILR requires a separate application and evidence of business progress.
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) |
|---|---|
| Apply outside UK | £1,357 per person |
| Extend or switch | £1,693 per person |
| Endorsement fee | £1,000 excluding VAT |
| Contact point meeting | £500 excluding VAT |
| Personal savings | £1,270 if required |
| Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) | ~£1,035 per year |
How to Apply
Five steps from preparation to decision.
Confirm the Business Route
Check whether the applicant is making a new Innovator Founder application, extending Innovator Founder permission, switching from Start-up, or dealing with a closed legacy route such as Tier 1 Entrepreneur.
Secure Endorsement
Obtain an endorsement letter from an approved endorsing body no more than 3 months before the application date. The endorsement must confirm the business meets the route requirements.
Prepare Personal Evidence
Gather passport, English language evidence, financial evidence if required, and any documents explaining the business, funding and founder role.
Submit the Online Application
Apply online from outside the UK, or extend/switch from inside the UK if eligible. Pay the Home Office fee, Immigration Health Surcharge and any endorsing body fees separately.
Receive Your Decision
GOV.UK says decisions are usually made within 3 weeks outside the UK or 8 weeks inside the UK after identity and documents are provided.
The Four Endorsement Tests
An endorsing body must agree the business idea meets all four
Every Innovator Founder application starts with an endorsement. The endorsing body assesses whether the business idea is:
- New: the founder cannot join a business that is already trading.
- Innovative: an original idea that is different from anything else on the market.
- Viable: with real potential for growth.
- Scalable: backed by planning that shows job creation and growth into national and international markets.
A new business must also show the endorsing body that it has enough funding and where the money comes from. No investment funds are needed if the business is already established and was endorsed for an earlier visa, or the founder has changed the business and agreed it with the endorsing body.
Endorsing Bodies and Progress Checkpoints
Endorsement is not a one-off: the founder must keep showing progress
| Stage | What happens | Fee (2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Endorsement | An approved endorsing body assesses the business | £1,000 (excluding VAT) |
| 12-month checkpoint | Contact point meeting to show progress | £500 (excluding VAT) |
| 24-month checkpoint | Second contact point meeting | £500 (excluding VAT) |
| Extension | A new endorsement before the visa expires | Endorsement fee again |
If the endorsing body withdraws its endorsement, the visa can be cut short. See the current list of Innovator Founder endorsing bodies before approaching one.
English Language and Savings
Two requirements every founder must meet at application
- English at B2: shown by a UK school qualification started under 18, a degree taught in English (confirmed by Ecctis if awarded outside the UK) or a Secure English Language Test. Nationals of majority English-speaking countries such as Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the USA are exempt.
- Personal savings of £1,270: held for 28 consecutive days before applying, or before extending or switching if the founder has been in the UK for less than a year.
- What does not count: money from the business’s investment funds, or money earned while working in the UK illegally.
Switching Into the Innovator Founder Route
Founders already in the UK can often apply without leaving
Most people already in the UK can switch to an Innovator Founder visa if they meet the requirements. Students can switch only once they have completed their sponsored course, or after at least 24 months of full-time PhD study. Switching is not possible from a visit visa, a short-term student visa, a Parent of a Child Student visa, a Seasonal Worker visa, a domestic worker in a private household visa, immigration bail or permission granted outside the Immigration Rules.
Each grant lasts 3 years, there is no limit on extensions, and settlement may be possible after 3 years in the UK. Applicants switching or extending must not travel outside the UK, Ireland, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man until they receive a decision.
From Founder to Employer
When the business grows, its immigration needs change
An Innovator Founder business that starts hiring may need to sponsor overseas talent itself. Once it is trading and meets the requirements, the company can apply for a sponsor licence to recruit Skilled Workers, and it must carry out right to work checks on every employee. We advise founders on both stages, so the visa strategy keeps pace with the business plan.
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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 the Innovator Founder Visa from employers and applicants.
What is the Innovator Founder visa UK?
The Innovator Founder Visa is for entrepreneurs who want to set up and run an innovative UK business. The business idea must be endorsed by an approved endorsing body and must be new, viable and scalable. The application fee is £1,357 outside the UK or £1,693 to extend or switch inside the UK.
Is the Innovator Visa now the Innovator Founder Visa?
Yes. GOV.UK says the Innovator Founder Visa used to be called the Innovator Visa. Founders who are searching for Innovator Visa or Innovator extension information should now check the Innovator Founder route and the current endorsement requirements.
Is the Start-up Visa now part of Innovator Founder?
The Start-up Visa is closed to new applicants. GOV.UK says existing Start-up migrants may be able to switch to Innovator Founder if their visa is ending and they want to stay in the UK for business. That means Start-up planning now usually needs to be assessed through the Innovator Founder route.
Can Tier 1 Entrepreneur migrants extend under Innovator Founder?
GOV.UK says Tier 1 Entrepreneur is closed and existing Tier 1 Entrepreneur migrants can no longer extend that visa. Some business founders may need advice on settlement, family applications or a fresh route, but Tier 1 Entrepreneur extension itself is not open.
How much does the Innovator Founder Visa cost?
The 2026 Home Office fee is £1,357 per person if applying outside the UK and £1,693 per person to extend or switch inside the UK. The endorsing body endorsement fee is £1,000 excluding VAT, and contact point meetings are £500 excluding VAT each. Applicants must also pay the Immigration Health Surcharge.
How long is an Innovator Founder Visa granted for?
The visa is granted for 3 years whether the applicant applies from outside the UK or switches from inside the UK. It can be extended for another 3 years with a new endorsement. GOV.UK says there is no limit on the number of times it can be extended.
Do I need investment funds for Innovator Founder?
GOV.UK says there is no fixed minimum investment fund requirement for all Innovator Founder applications. For a new business, the applicant must prove to the endorsing body that they have enough funding and where it is from. No investment funds are needed where the business is already established and previously endorsed, or where changes were agreed with the endorsing body.
What are the Innovator Founder savings requirements?
Applicants usually need at least £1,270 in personal savings held for 28 consecutive days before applying. This applies to new applications and to extension or switching applications if the applicant has been in the UK for less than a year. Investment funds and money earned from illegal work cannot be used for maintenance.
Can Innovator Founder lead to settlement?
Yes. GOV.UK says applicants may be able to apply for settlement after 3 years if they meet the requirements. Settlement is not automatic and requires a separate application, endorsement evidence and compliance with residence and business-growth requirements.
How long does an Innovator Founder Visa decision take?
GOV.UK says decisions are usually made within 3 weeks if applying outside the UK and 8 weeks if applying inside the UK. Extra time may be needed if documents require verification, an interview is needed or there are personal circumstances affecting the application.
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