- The Innovator Founder Visa replaced the Innovator Visa in April 2023; it is now focused solely on founding a new business, not joining an existing one.
- Applicants must obtain endorsement from an approved endorsing body before applying to the Home Office.
- There is no universal minimum investment threshold for most applicants, but the business plan must show investment is available if required by the endorsing body.
- The visa is initially granted for 3 years and can lead to ILR after 3 years if milestones are met.
- The application fee is 1,486 pounds from outside the UK.
Last reviewed: 13 May 2026
The Innovator Founder Visa launched in April 2023, replacing both the Innovator Visa and the Start-up Visa. It is designed for overseas entrepreneurs who want to establish and run an innovative business in the UK. The endorsement stage, obtaining approval from an authorised body before the visa application, is the most critical step in the process.
Key Changes from the Former Innovator Visa
The Innovator Founder Visa differs from its predecessor in several important ways. It is exclusively for founders; applicants must be starting a new business or actively involved in founding one. It is not for joining an existing business as an employee. The endorsed business idea must be novel, viable and scalable: the same three tests as before, but assessed with greater scrutiny. There is no longer a separate Start-up Visa; early-stage founders now use the same route. The requirement to invest 50,000 pounds is no longer a blanket rule; some endorsing bodies set their own investment requirements and some waive it for strong applicants.
The Endorsement Requirement
Before applying to the Home Office, applicants must obtain an endorsement letter from one of the Home Office-approved endorsing bodies. Endorsing bodies are organisations authorised to assess whether business ideas meet the innovation criteria. As of 2026, approved endorsing bodies include organisations across sectors including technology, social enterprise, finance and regional development. The current list of active endorsing bodies is maintained on GOV.UK and should be checked before approaching any organisation, as the list changes.
Each endorsing body has its own application process, assessment criteria and fees. Some charge application fees of several hundred pounds; others are free at initial assessment stage. Applicants should approach multiple endorsing bodies if initial assessments are declined; there is no rule limiting the number of endorsing bodies that can be approached.
The endorsing body assesses the business idea against three criteria: Innovative (the idea is genuine, original and different from anything else on the UK market), Viable (the business has realistic prospects of success given the market and the applicant's experience), and Scalable (there is potential to grow significantly, create jobs and add value to the UK economy).
Business Plan Requirements
A detailed business plan is central to the endorsement application. There is no prescribed format, but endorsing bodies typically expect a description of the product or service and what makes it innovative, market research and analysis of the target customer base, financial projections and funding strategy, details of the founding team and relevant experience, and milestones to be achieved during the first 3 years. The business plan must be the applicant's own. Endorsing bodies are experienced in identifying plans that have been written by third parties or copied from template sources.
Investment Funding
While the 50,000 pound investment requirement from the former Innovator Visa no longer applies universally, many endorsing bodies require evidence that the applicant has access to sufficient investment funding to launch the business. The threshold and source of acceptable funding vary by endorsing body. Where an endorsing body requires investment evidence, funds must be available to the business, not held in personal accounts that are inaccessible to the venture. Investment can come from personal savings, venture capital, angel investment, government grants or other legitimate business funding.
Visa Application After Endorsement
Once an endorsement letter is obtained, the applicant applies to the Home Office. The visa application includes the Home Office online application form, endorsement letter from the approved endorsing body, passport and identity documents, maintenance funds evidence (945 pounds held for 90 consecutive days unless the endorsing body has confirmed funds are available), and English language evidence at B2 CEFR level (unless from a majority English-speaking country or holding a degree taught in English). The application fee is 1,486 pounds from outside the UK. The Immigration Health Surcharge applies: 1,035 pounds per year of leave.
Duration, Extension and Route to Settlement
The Innovator Founder Visa is initially granted for 3 years. At the 3-year mark, the applicant can apply for ILR directly rather than extending the visa if they can demonstrate that milestones set by the endorsing body have been met. ILR milestones typically include the business being operational, generating revenue, having created jobs, or having secured additional investment. The endorsing body must confirm milestone achievement before the ILR application. If milestones have not been met, an extension may be available. The visa can be extended in 3-year increments.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does this differ from the former Innovator Visa?
The Innovator Founder Visa, introduced in April 2023, is only for entrepreneurs founding a new business. The former Innovator Visa could also be used to join or invest in an existing business. The Start-up Visa was also abolished and merged into this single route.
Is 50,000 pound investment mandatory?
The blanket 50,000 pound requirement from the old Innovator Visa was removed. Some endorsing bodies set their own investment requirements; others do not. The specific requirements depend on the endorsing body selected and the business idea.
How many endorsing bodies can applicants approach?
There is no limit. If one endorsing body declines, applicants may approach others. Different endorsing bodies have different sector focuses and assessment criteria, so a business idea suitable for one may be declined by another.
Can a visa holder employ staff?
Yes. Visa holders can hire employees in the UK. There is no restriction on employing staff as part of the business.
What happens if milestones are not met at the 3-year point?
If the endorsing body confirms that milestones have not been met, the applicant will not qualify for ILR. An extension may be available while the business continues to develop. The endorsing body's assessment is central to this process.
How We Verified This Article
Content was verified against the Home Office Innovator Founder Visa guidance on GOV.UK, Appendix Innovator Founder of the Immigration Rules, and the Home Office list of approved endorsing bodies current as of May 2026.
