Building a business is tough, doing it in a foreign country is even tougher. You have got the idea, now you need the right visa to make it happen in the UK. The Innovator Founder visa allows international entrepreneurs to bring innovative and scalable business ideas to life in the UK market.
The process can be challenging, from meeting the UK’s entrepreneur visa requirements to securing endorsements, but that is where Omega can be a great help to you. Our platform connects you directly to trusted third-party immigration experts who specialise in UK startup visas and are available around the clock.
With the right support in place, understanding the details of the Innovator Founder visa becomes much simpler, let’s break down exactly what this visa offers and how it can pave the way for your business in the UK.
What is the Innovator Founder Visa?
The Innovator Founder visa is a specialised UK visa for entrepreneurs who want to bring bold, fresh business ideas to life. This visa is reserved for founders with concepts that are not only unique but also have the potential to disrupt and grow within the UK market.
If your business idea introduces something new and exciting, something that hasn’t been seen before in the UK, this visa could be your gateway to establishing your business here.
What are the Eligibility Requirements for the Innovator Founder Visa?
To get the UK entrepreneur visa, your business idea must meet this criteria:
If you do not meet the requirements for the innovator founder visa, check to see if you are eligible for other types of work visas in the UK. Not all is lost!
How to Apply for the Innovator Founder Visa: Step-byStep Guide
1. Business Idea Endorsement
The first step in securing the Innovator Founder visa is receiving an endorsement for your business idea. An endorsement is a formal approval from a recognised endorsing body, such as a business organisation or university, which evaluates whether your business concept is truly innovative and has potential for growth.
You can find a list of organisations that are capable of endorsing you here.
This endorsement is necessary because it shows that your idea meets the high standards required by the UK for new businesses—something new, viable, and scalable.
2. Prove Your Knowledge Of English
To qualify for the UK startup visa, you must also demonstrate proficiency in the English language.
This means you will need to prove your ability to speak, read, write, and understand English at the required level (level B2 on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) scale.)
They ask for this so that they can see if you will be able to effectively communicate and manage business operations in the UK.
3. Going Through the Application Process
Applying for the Innovator Founder visa requires you to submit your application online. Part of the application process includes proving your identity, giving biometric information (like your fingerprints and a photo), and providing various documents.
Costs of Applying for an Innovator Founder Visa
The UK entrepreneur visa cost depends on where you apply from (in or out of the UK). In addition to the visa fee, you will need to pay the healthcare surcharge (within 30 minutes of applying for the visa), which gives you access to the UK’s National Health Service (NHS).
This surcharge amount varies, but it is typically £1,035 (previously £624) per year for each applicant, including dependants. We recommend checking the immigration health surcharge calculator before applying, so that you are aware of the costs involved.
Timeframes When Applying for an Innovator Founder Visa
Congratulations on finishing your application! Once it is submitted, you can expect a decision in three to eight weeks depending on these two factors:
- If you are applying from outside the UK, you will probably receive a decision within three weeks.
- If you are already in the UK, it may take up to eight weeks.
How Long Can You Stay with the Innovator Founder Visa?
The Innovator Founder visa allows you to stay in the UK for 3 years so that you can get your business up and running.
During your stay, you will have check-ins with your endorsing body at 12 and 24 months to show the progress of your business. Keep in mind that if you are not making reasonable progress, and the endorsing body withdraws their support, your visa will most likely be shortened.
Assuming everything is going well, and you want to stay longer, you can apply to extend your visa for an additional 3 years, and there is no limit on the number of extensions you can request.
Also, a pretty great thing to note is that after living 3 years in the UK, you may be able to apply for settlement (provided you meet the necessary requirements).
How To Streamline Your Innovator Founder Visa with Omega
Need help getting your Innovator Founder Visa? At Omega, we offer a seamless, integrated solution for international entrepreneurs navigating the entrepreneur visa United Kingdom process.
With 24/7 access to third-party immigration experts, Omega’s platform gives you the guidance you need for business setup, visa applications, and securing those incredibly important endorsements. In addition, Omega provides an easy-to-use UK business account service which will simplify your financial management so you can focus on growing your company.
So are you ready to bring your business idea to life in the UK? Explore Omega today and discover how we offer effortless immigration solutions for international entrepreneurs.
