What it's for
The Innovator Founder visa is for people establishing a new UK business that is innovative (a unique idea), viable (realistic plan with the applicant's skills and resources), and scalable (clear potential to create jobs and grow). You need endorsement from a Home Office-approved endorsing body before applying for the visa itself.
Replacement of older routes: the £50,000 minimum investment threshold that applied to the old Innovator visa has been removed. You still need sufficient funds to establish the business, but there's no fixed floor. Endorsing bodies assess your funding plan as part of viability.
Endorsing body criteria
Approved endorsing bodies (as of 2026): Envestors, Innovator International, The Global Entrepreneurs Programme, UK Endorsing Service, and others. Each has slightly different focus areas (tech, fashion, science, fintech).
You'll submit a detailed business plan, pitch deck, market analysis, and funding evidence. Endorsement is the harder hurdle — expect 4-8 weeks' preparation and a fee of £1,000–£3,000 per endorsing body. After endorsement you apply for the visa itself.
Visa terms and settlement
Visa granted for 3 years initially. Extendable by 3 years if business continues. ILR available after 3 years of continuous UK residence if the business has met defined milestones (customers acquired, investment raised, jobs created, revenue thresholds — specifics set by endorsing body).
You can be a founder of multiple businesses simultaneously. You can also take secondary employment subject to skill level — useful for founders whose startup isn't yet profitable.