Innovator Visa

The Innovator Visa route is a new route for more experienced business people who wish to establish a business in the UK. This route was introduced on 29th March 2019 as a replacement for the Tier 1 Entrepreneur Visa.

To apply for a visa under this category, applicants are required to show that their business model is original, feasible and likely to grow. This plan must be endorsed by an authorised body. To apply for this visa, applicants must have at least a £50,000 investment account to invest in a UK business. This requirement has been significantly reduced from the Tier 1 Entrepreneur visa route which required applicants to have £200,000 in available funds requirement of application. Applicants must meet English language and maintenance requirements. Please note that the English language requirement increases to B2 level of CEFR (the Common European Framework of Reference for Language), which is equivalent to IELTS as total score of 5.5.

The Innovator visa has an initial period of 3 years which may be extended for an additional 3 years. This visa may allow for settlement after the initial 3 year term applicants meet certain requirements.

Please feel free to contact us if you need further information about settlement requirements for this route.
Please note that an applicant who has been granted an Innovator Visa can only work for their business and may not have any other form of employment.

Key points

• This visa is for experienced entrepreneurs who wish to establish a company in the UK.
• Business model must be innovative, feasible and open to growth.
• Applicants must be endorsed by an authorised body.
• Applicants must comply with maintenance and English language requirements.
• This route is open to entrepreneurial teams.
• Applicants must have at least £50,000 investable holdings available to finance their business plan.
• To apply, the applicant must be at least 18 years old.
• It is possible to bring family through this visa route.
• The initial period is 3 years, followed by a 3 year extension.
• There is no time limit under this route.
• Settlement is possible after the initial 3 years period has been granted.

Who can apply to switch to the Innovator visa?

The following visa-holders may switch to the Innovator visa:
• Start-up Visa route
• Tier 1 Graduate Entrepreneur
• Tier 1 Entrepreneur
• Tier 2 General
• Standard Visitor (A visitor who has partaken in authorised activities as a potential entrepreneur (See Prospective Entrepreneur Visa))

What are the endorsement criteria?

Applicants are required to generate a commercial strategy when applying for an endorsement. Applicants must also provide supporting documentation that demonstrates that the following start-up requirements have been met:
• The business plan must be innovative, genuine and unique, to exploit gaps in the market. The plan must deliver a unique selling point or provide a competitive advantage.
• The plan must be feasible and the applicant must actively develop their essential skills, understanding, practical experience and market awareness to run the company effectively.
• Applicants must show their company’s ability to grow. To demonstrate this, applicants should provide detailed planning and evidence of potential job creation and growth into national markets.

To give your case the best chance of success, get in touch

To give your visa the best chance of success, and to reduce your stress, please contact our immigration experts.

Disclaimer: The above information is for general reference only. Specialist legal advice should be sought.

BOOK YOUR
CONSULTATION

Choose 'in person' or ' Skype/FaceTime'