The Innovator Founder visa is for people who want to set up and run an innovative UK business. An approved endorsing body must assess the business idea, and the endorsement is central to the application.
Information checked against the sources listed below on 10 October 2026. Rules, fees and thresholds change; this is general information, not advice on your case, and does not assess whether you qualify.
What the official guidance says.
- The business idea must be new, not joining an existing trading business. It must be innovative, viable with growth potential, and scalable, with plans to create jobs and reach national and international markets.
- Applicants usually must prove their knowledge of English.
- An approved endorsing body must assess and endorse the business idea.
- The initial stay is 3 years, whether you arrive from abroad or switch within the UK. You must meet your endorsing body at 12 and 24 months to show progress, and the visa may end early if the endorsement is withdrawn.
- You can extend for another 3 years when your visa expires, with no limit on the number of extensions.
- Eligible partners and children can join you or stay as dependants.
- After 3 years in the UK you may be able to apply for settlement if you meet the requirements.
What usually decides the outcome.
- Whether the idea is genuinely innovative, viable and scalable in the terms the endorsing bodies use.
- Which endorsing body to approach and what it requires.
- How you will show progress at the 12 and 24 month meetings.
- How dependants will be included.
How we can help.
Depending on what you need, support can range from a first conversation to full representation. Ask for the scope of any work, and an explanation of our fees and separate government charges, in writing before you instruct the firm.
- Initial consultation and eligibility assessment. A conversation about your circumstances, the routes that may apply and the risks.
- Written advice and immigration planning. A considered view on your options and a plan that looks ahead to extensions, settlement or citizenship.
- Document and application checking. A review of an application or evidence you have prepared, before you submit it.
- Full application preparation and representation. Preparing and submitting the application, and dealing with the Home Office on your behalf.
- Responses to Home Office requests. Help answering requests for further information, interviews or evidence.
- Refusal analysis and next steps. Understanding why an application failed and whether to seek review, appeal, judicial review or make a fresh application.
- Ongoing business immigration support. Continuing help for employers with sponsorship, reporting, record keeping and right-to-work compliance.
Before you contact us
- Write a short summary of your circumstances and what you want to achieve.
- Note any decision dates, expiry dates or deadlines.
- Do not send passport numbers or sensitive documents in the first enquiry. We will explain how to share them securely.