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Founders · United KingdomUnited Kingdom
From €2,50020–45 working days
Government fees are paid separately at cost and are listed below with their source.
Indicative prices; the final quote depends on your case.
For founders with a new business idea they will run in the UK.
Check your eligibilitySince 13 April 2023 there is no fixed minimum investment. Instead an approved endorsing body must confirm that your business is innovative, viable and scalable. The visa runs 3 years, family can come with you, and settlement is possible after 3 years.
Updated
United KingdomCurrencyGBP
How it works
The Home Office decision follows the endorsement; most of the work is getting endorsed.
The £50,000 requirement of the old Innovator route was removed when Innovator Founder replaced it on 13 April 2023. The endorsing body judges whether the business is innovative, viable and scalable.
Endorsement costs £1,000, plus £500 for each contact-point meeting.
The application fee is £1,357 from outside the UK and £1,693 inside, plus the Immigration Health Surcharge. Decisions usually take 3 weeks from outside and 8 weeks from inside the UK.
We review the business plan against the endorsement criteria, prepare the endorsement application and then the visa application.
What you get
Requirements
Endorsement is mandatory.
Legal basis:Innovator Founder visaIndefinite leave to remain (settle in the UK)
Minimum investment£0
Family includedYes
Start-up and Innovator visas were replaced on 13 April 2023.
A plan that shows viability but not innovation or scale.
Cost
Our fee from the package plus the state fees in our reference.
| Who applies | Our fee from | Government fee | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single applicant | €2,500 | Not published | Not publishedThe Immigration Health Surcharge is not in our reference as a figure. |
| Couple | €2,500 | Not published | Not publishedThe Immigration Health Surcharge is not in our reference as a figure. |
| Couple with two children | €2,500 | Not published | Not publishedThe Immigration Health Surcharge is not in our reference as a figure. |
| Who applies | Our fee from | Government fee | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single applicant | Not published | Not published | Not publishedThe Immigration Health Surcharge is not in our reference as a figure. |
| Couple | Not published | Not published | Not publishedThe Immigration Health Surcharge is not in our reference as a figure. |
| Couple with two children | Not published | Not published | Not publishedThe Immigration Health Surcharge is not in our reference as a figure. |
Extension every 3 years:3 years
Government fees are paid separately at cost and are listed below with their source.
Endorsement and visa fees are charged in GBP.
No fixed investment; the endorsing body assesses funding as part of viability.Endorsement rules
Indicative prices; the final quote depends on your case. We usually reply within one business day.
From €2,50020–45 working days
Process
Four steps.
We check the plan against the endorsement criteria.
Written review
We prepare the visa application.
Submitted application
Refusals
Two grounds.
Checked on
| Reason for refusal | What closes it | Legal basis |
|---|---|---|
| Endorsement refused | We test the plan on innovation, viability and scale before applying. | Not published |
| Visa application inconsistent with the endorsed plan | We copy the endorsed details into the visa file. | Not published |
Long term
Indefinite leave is possible after 3 years.
Changes
Updated
Innovator Founder visaOpen
| Date | What changed | Applies to | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| ReformStatement of Changes HC 1691: English requirement for settlement on most work routes raised to B2 for applications from 26 March 2027. | Whole country | Home Office | |
| ReformFSMA 2000 (Cryptoassets) Regulations 2026 made; FCA authorisation regime for crypto firms starts 25 October 2027. | Whole country | Financial Conduct Authority | |
| Fee changeCompanies House fees increased: digital incorporation GBP 100, confirmation statement GBP 50. | Whole country | Companies House | |
| ClosureHome Office consultation on 'earned settlement' proposing a 10-year baseline to ILR (closed 12 February 2026; not yet implemented). | Whole country | Home Office | |
| ReformMandatory identity verification for company directors and PSCs at Companies House. | Whole country | Companies House | |
| ReformSkilled Worker general salary threshold raised to GBP 41,700 and skill level raised to RQF 6. | Whole country | UK Visas and Immigration | |
| ClosureNon-dom remittance basis abolished; 4-year FIG regime for new residents and residence-based Inheritance Tax (10 of 20 years test) introduced. | Whole country | HM Revenue & Customs | |
| ReformCompany size thresholds raised: audit exemption for turnover up to GBP 15m and assets up to GBP 7.5m. | Whole country | Companies House | |
| ReformFamily (partner) visa minimum income raised from GBP 18,600 to GBP 29,000. | Whole country | UK Visas and Immigration | |
| ReformVAT registration threshold raised from GBP 85,000 to GBP 90,000. | Whole country | HM Revenue & Customs |
Documents
Four documents.
Checked on
| Document | Who issues it | Apostille | Translation | Who prepares |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Founder | ||||
| Valid passport | Country of citizenship | No | No | You provide |
| Business plan | You, with our review | No | No | You provide |
| Endorsement letter | Endorsing body | No | No | You provide |
| Endorsement and visa applications | Prepared from your plan | No | No | We prepare |
Send us a summary of the business.Get a quote
Request
A one-paragraph summary of the business is enough to start.
The information on this site is general and is not legal advice for your specific situation.
Legal disclaimerQuestions
Figures from our reference.
No fixed minimum since 13 April 2023; the endorsing body assesses viability.
£1,000, plus £500 for each contact-point meeting.
After 3 years on the route.
Sources
Home Office pages behind this page.
| Source | Publisher | Type | Checked on |
|---|---|---|---|
| Government sites | |||
| Innovator Founder visa | UK Visas and Immigration | Government sites | Checked on |
| Indefinite leave to remain (settle in the UK) | UK Visas and Immigration | Government sites | Checked on |