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Innovator Founder Visa

Innovator Founder Visa Lawyers in London UK

Innovator Founder Visa Solicitors

Barnes Harrild & Dyer Solicitors are specialist lawyers in London & Croydon who assist with UK Innovator Founder visa applications.

The UK Innovator Founder visa is for individuals who are new entrepreneurs and want to establish a business in the UK for the first time.  You do not need to be a graduate or have secured any initial funding. However, you will need to have an innovative, viable and scalable business idea which has been approved by an endorsing body.

Innovator Founder visas are valid for 2-3 years and can lead directly to settlement in the UK. Innovator Founder visa applicants can bring their partner and any children under the age of 18 to the UK.

Who is the Innovator Founder visa suitable for?

The Innovator Founder visa category is suitable for early-stage, but high potential, entrepreneurs who are looking to start a business in the UK for the first time.

Generally, Innovator Founder visa applicants will not already have started setting up their business in the UK.  However, where they have, the new business should not yet have started trading and the home office will need to be satisfied that the applicant made a significant contribution to the business plan.

If you are a senior or specialist employee of an overseas business looking to establish a commercial presence in the UK then you may like to consider the UK Expansion Worker Visa instead.
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UK Innovator Founder Visa Application

In order to qualify for an Innovator Founder visa you will need to satisfy UK Visas and Immigration that:

  • You are at least 18 years old;
  • You have been endorsed by an approved UK endorsing body that has assessed your business idea for innovation, viability and scalability
  • Your endorsement letter was issued not more than 3 months before the date of your Innovator Founder visa application;
  • You are competent in the English language to at least CEFR Level B2 (equivalent to IELTS 5.5 in reading, writing, listening and speaking);
  • If you are outside the UK or have been in the UK for less than 12 months then you have at least £1270 to support yourself, plus £285 for a dependent partner, £315 for a first child and £200 for each additional child.

The exact requirements that you will need to satisfy may vary depending on the circumstances of your case.  We recommend speaking to an immigration lawyer for expert advice.

Investment funds requirement for an Innovator Founder visa

Innovator Founder visa applicants do not need any funds to invest in their business.  However, the requirement to have a ‘viable’ and ‘scalable’ business idea means that, in practice, you may need to have funds available to invest.

Endorsement criteria for a UK Innovator Founder visa

In order for your business proposal to be endorsed, an approved endorsing body will need to be satisfied that your business idea meets all of the following criteria:

  • Innovation: You have a genuine, original business plan that meets new or existing market needs and/or creates a competitive advantage;
  • Viability: You have, or are actively developing, the necessary skills, knowledge, experience and market awareness to successfully run the business;
  • Scalability: Your business plan has potential for job creation and growth into national markets.

The endorsing body will also need to be satisfied that you will have a day to day role in carrying out the business plan.

List of approved Innovator Founder visa endorsing bodies

The Home Office has published a list of endorsing bodies for Innovator Founder visa applications.  This list of endorsing bodies contains the names of all currently approved Innovator Founder visa endorsing bodies, as well as links to their websites and, where available, details of their application process and endorsement criteria.

Obtaining an Innovator Founder visa endorsement

Our immigration lawyers assist entrepreneurs from around the world to prepare successful Innovator Founder visa applications.  We can also assist applicants to secure Innovator Founder visa endorsement.  Barnes Harrild & Dyer Solicitors is a trusted introducer to several endorsing bodies, ensuring eligible clients direct contact with investment panel members as well as transparent and timely decision-making.

Switching into the Innovator Founder visa category

Applications for Innovator Founder visas can be made from outside the UK, but it is also possible to switch into the Innovator Founder visa category from within the UK provided you do not have, or were not last granted, permission as a Visitor, Short-term Student, Parent of a Child Student, Seasonal Worker, Domestic Worker in a Private Household or outside the Immigration Rules.

Joining an existing business as an Innovator Founder visa holder

The Innovator Founder visa category is for people seeking to establish a new business in the UK for the first time.  If you are looking to join an existing business then the Innovator Founder visa category is not an appropriate immigration route. Our expert team of solicitors can advise you of more appropriate options open to you.

Applying for an Innovator Founder visa as part of a team

You do not need to be the sole founder of your business and may be a member of an Innovator Founder team.  This means that you may share the same business idea and plan as another Innovator Founder team member.  However, each applicant must receive their own individual endorsement from an approved endorsing body.

Innovator Founder visa endorsement letter

If your application to be endorsed by an Innovator Founder visa endorsing body is approved, you will be issued with an Innovator Founder visa endorsement letter.  This letter must be submitted as part of your Innovator Founder visa application.  The Immigration Rules contain strict requirements in terms of the information that must be included in an Innovator Founder visa endorsement letter.  Advice from an immigration lawyer will ensure that your endorsement letter satisfies the requirements of the rules.

Innovator Founder visa validity period

Your initial Innovator Founder visa will be valid for 2-3 years.

Extending an Innovator Founder visa and applying for ILR

It is possible to extend an Innovator Founder visa for periods of 3 years at a time. This route can lead to settlement after 3 years.

What else do I need to know about the UK Innovator Founder visa?

As an Innovator Founder visa holder you will not be required to spend any particular amount of time in the UK and you will be permitted to undertake employment other than working for the business or businesses that you have established.

However, you will need to stay in contact with your endorsing body with checkpoints at 6 and 12 months.  The endorsing body will need to be satisfied that you are continuing to work on your business venture and have demonstrated reasonable progress in relation to either your original or a new business idea.  Your endorsement may be withdrawn and your leave curtailed if this is not the case.  You will also need to abide by various other conditions of stay.

Your partner and any children under the age of 18 may apply to accompany or join you as your dependant(s).

Applying for an Innovator Founder visa?

If you have questions regarding the Innovator Founder route or any other UK immigration matters, we are here to help.

We are committed to supporting businesses and individuals as they adapt to the changes that the UK’s new immigration system will bring. We will work with you from initial consultation to delivery, to ensure your visa application process is as stress-free as possible.

For further information and a free telephone consultation, call our London or Croydon offices today on 0208 681 5128 and speak to one of our UK Innovator Founder visa specialist lawyers.

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