Innovator Visa

Innovator Visa

The UK Innovator visa is for seasoned business people who want to establish new business in the UK. In most cases, you will require accessibility to at least £50,000 to invest in your business. You will also need a scalable, viable, and innovative business idea approved by the relevant body.

Innovator visas are validated for 3 years and can steer directly to indefinite leave to stay in the UK till the end of that period. UK Innovator visa applicants can bring their partner and children under 18 to the UK.

Requirements

You must satisfy UK Visas and Immigration to qualify for a UK Innovator visa:

• • Your age should be at least 18 years

• • You have a minimum of £50,000 to invest in your UK business or have already allocated £50,000 in your UK business (unless you have switched from Tier 1 Graduate Entrepreneur or Start-up to run the same business);

• • You have been approved by an approved UK approval body who have positively evaluated your business idea for innovation, viability and scalability and are happy that you will spend all of your working time in the UK developing your business;
  • Your confirmation letter was circulated not more than 3 months before the date of your visa application;

• • You should truly intend to carry out and can carry out any work or business in the UK set out in your application;

• • You are competent in the English language at least at B2 CEFR level (equivalent to IELTS 5.5 in reading, writing, listening and speaking);

• • If you are outside the UK or have stayed in the UK for less than 12 months, you have at least £1,270 to live on, plus £285 for a dependent partner, £315 for the first child and £200 for each additional child.

The exact requirements you will need to meet may vary based on the conditions of your case. You may want to discuss this with an immigration attorney for professional advice.

Endorsement Criteria

For your business proposal to be endorsed, a Home Office-approved endorsing body must be satisfied that your business idea meets all of the following criteria:

• • Innovation: You have a real business plan that fulfils new or existing market needs and brings a competitive edge;

• • Viability: You have the necessary experience, skills, knowledge, and market awareness to run the business successfully;

• • Scalability: Your business plan demonstrates structured planning and potential for job creation and growth in national and international markets.

The approving body must also ensure that you spend all your working time in the UK developing business ventures.

Validity Period

As a UK Innovator visa holder, you must comply with various residence conditions.

You can set up other businesses along with your core business idea. However, you will not be allowed to carry any employment along with working for the business or businesses you have established. Any arrangement that amounts to covert employment with another employer would breach your residency conditions.

UK Innovator Visa Checkpoints

You will need to keep in touch with your approving authority with checkpoints 6, 12 and 24 months after a successful application.

The approving body needs to be contented that you are progressing to work on your business plan and that you have demonstrated reasonable progress concerning an original or new business idea that is scalable, innovative and viable. If this is not, your consent may be withdrawn and your holiday shortened. 

Stages to Obtaining a UK Innovator Visa

The service of preparing and submitting an application for an innovator visa is divided into 8 separate stages:

Stage 1 – Complete our Innovator visa application form

In order to receive a free initial evaluation of your capability for an Innovator visa, complete our Innovator visa application form. A lawyer will check your answers. We aim to respond within 24 hours.

Stage 2 – Eligibility Assessment

All approving bodies require applicants to verify that they are eligible as individuals for an Innovator visa before being contacted for confirmation. If Stage 1 is completed, we will hold an initial consultation meeting to check that you meet the general eligibility requirements under the Immigration Rules for the Innovator Visa.

Phase 3 – Concept Assessment

All approving bodies require applicants to elaborate that they have a viable, scalable, and innovative business idea. We will arrange an initial consultation meeting to listen to your concept and advise if proceeding to the approval authority is appropriate. This phase can be run simultaneously with phase 1.

Phase 4 – Introduction to Approving Authorities

Upon completing Phases 1 and 2, we will formally present you with a business plan to up to 3 Home Office-approved approval bodies. As a trusted presenter, We can ensure direct contact with investment panel members and transparent and timely decision-making.

Phase 5 – Concept and business plan approval

The approving body will have an initial consultation where you can present your concept and business plan. Suppose the approval authority feels it is appropriate to move the proposal forward. In that case, they will spend enough time with you to fully understand your model, cash flows and any other requirements necessary to ensure your concept has the best chance of approval.

Phase 6 – Full KYC and Due Diligence

The approving authority will try to get familiar with you and the source of your funds. This entire procedure will normally run simultaneously with Phase 4.

Stage 7 – Visa application

Once you have completed stages 4 and 5 and secured approval, we will prepare your Innovator visa application and send it to the Home Office. The immigration rules contain strict requirements regarding the evidence submitted to support an Innovator visa application. We ensured that your Innovator visa application is professionally submitted, technically correct and approved the first time.

Phase 8 – Endorsement and Mentoring

Once the Home Office approves your Innovator visa application, you can enter the UK to deploy your investment funds and develop your business concept. We will continue to support you until the ILR is reached after 3 years. Through our trusted partners, we can provide full property, tax and education advisory services to UK schools and universities if these services are required..