Innovator Founder Visa UK: eligibility, requirements and business criteria
You need a business idea endorsed by an approved endorsing body as new, innovative, viable and scalable. You also need English at B2 level, £1,270 held for 28 days (if you have been in the UK less than a year) and the visa fee of £1,357 from outside the UK. There is no fixed minimum investment in the rules.
The Innovator Founder visa is for people who want to set up and run a new business in the UK. It replaced the Start-up and Innovator routes in April 2023. The biggest practical change was dropping the old £50,000 investment rule. What matters now is whether an endorsing body believes in the business.
The four business tests
GOV.UK says your business must be:
- New. You can't join a business that is already trading. There are limited exceptions for people extending on the same business.
- Innovative. An original idea that is different from what is already on the market.
- Viable. It has the potential to grow, and you have, or can get, the skills and money to make it work.
- Scalable. There is evidence of planning for growth, including creating jobs and reaching national and international markets.
All four are judged by the endorsing body, not by the Home Office. We cover how that assessment works in our endorsement guide.
The personal requirements
| Requirement | What it means |
|---|---|
| Endorsement | A letter from an approved endorsing body |
| English | B2 on the CEFR scale, unless you are exempt |
| Savings | At least £1,270 in your account for 28 consecutive days, if you have been in the UK less than 12 months |
| Age | 18 or over |
| Funding for the business | You must show your endorsing body you have enough funding and where it comes from |
You can prove English with a Secure English Language Test at B2, a degree taught in English (a non-UK degree needs an Ecctis confirmation), or certain UK school qualifications. Nationals of majority English-speaking countries such as the US, Canada and Australia are exempt.
Is there really no minimum investment?
There is no set amount in the rules. That doesn't mean money doesn't matter. The endorsing body has to be satisfied the business is viable, and a plan with no realistic funding won't pass. For settlement later on, one of the options is showing at least £50,000 invested and spent on the business, but it is one of seven, and you need two. See our settlement guide.
What the visa lets you do
- Run the business you were endorsed for.
- Work outside your business in a skilled job, one that needs at least a level 3 qualification.
- Bring your partner and children as dependants.
- Stay for 3 years, extend for further 3-year periods, and apply to settle after 3 years if the business meets the settlement criteria.
You must keep in contact with your endorsing body. GOV.UK says you meet them at least twice during your visa, and each of these contact point meetings costs £500.
What it costs
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Endorsement application | £1,000 |
| Visa, applying from outside the UK | £1,357 per person |
| Visa, extending or switching inside the UK | £1,693 per person |
| Contact point meetings | £500 each, at least two |
| Immigration Health Surcharge | usually £1,035 per person per year |
Who this visa suits
It works best for people who already have domain experience and a specific, defensible idea: a founder who has spent years in fintech compliance and is building a tool for it, or a researcher commercialising their own work. It suits people with a vague idea and a wish to move to the UK much less well. Endorsing bodies are good at spotting a plan written for a visa rather than a market.
Where to go next
If you are in the UK on a Graduate or Skilled Worker visa, switching is often possible. Read our switching guide. If you're weighing this against the Global Talent visa, our comparison guide sets them side by side. You can also look at how we handle the Innovator Founder route.
Official sources
Checked on 29 September 2026. Fees and rules change, so confirm the current position on these pages before you pay or apply.
- GOV.UK: Innovator Founder visa overview and fees
- GOV.UK: Innovator Founder eligibility
- GOV.UK: Knowledge of English (B2)
- GOV.UK: Endorsing bodies for Innovator Founder and Scale-up
Common questions
Is there a minimum investment for the Innovator Founder visa?
No fixed amount is set in the rules. You must show your endorsing body you have enough funding for your plan and where it comes from.
What English level does the Innovator Founder visa need?
B2 on the CEFR scale, proved by an approved test, a degree taught in English, or certain UK qualifications. Some nationalities are exempt.
Can I work for another company on an Innovator Founder visa?
Yes, in a skilled job that requires at least a level 3 qualification, as long as you keep running your own business.
How long is the Innovator Founder visa?
Three years at a time. You can extend, and you may be able to settle after 3 years if your business meets the settlement criteria.
This guide is general information based on the official rules as they stood on 29 September 2026. It is not legal advice for your situation. Immigration rules and fees change, so check the official sources above or speak to us before you apply.
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