The Innovator Founder Visa is the UK's primary immigration route for entrepreneurs who want to establish innovative, viable, and scalable businesses. This comprehensive guide covers the requirements, current success rates, business ideas, endorsement process, and the pathway to Indefinite Leave to Remain after just 3 years. Whether you're a first-time entrepreneur or an experienced businessperson, this guidance explains everything you need to know about applying for the Innovator Founder Visa in 2026.
Innovator Founder Visa Guidance 2026
Introduced in April 2023, the Innovator Founder Visa replaced the previous Innovator and Start-up visas, creating a single route for entrepreneurs wanting to establish businesses in the UK. Unlike its predecessors, there is no minimum investment requirement—the focus is entirely on the innovation, viability, and scalability of your business idea.
What Are the Innovator Founder Visa Requirements?
The Innovator Founder Visa requires applicants to be aged 18 or over, secure endorsement from an approved body for an innovative, viable, and scalable business idea, demonstrate English proficiency at CEFR B2 level, and show £1,270 in personal savings held for 28 consecutive days. There is no minimum business investment requirement.
The Innovator Founder Visa operates on a points-based system requiring 70 points total. You earn 50 points for your endorsed business plan, 10 points for English language proficiency, and 10 points for meeting the financial requirement.
Innovator Founder Visa Eligibility Criteria
- Age: Must be 18 years or older
- Endorsement: Approved by a Home Office-authorised endorsing body
- Business Idea: Must be innovative, viable, and scalable
- English: CEFR Level B2 (equivalent to IELTS 5.5 in each component)
- Financial: £1,270 held for 28 consecutive days (or 12+ months UK residence)
- Suitability: Must not fall under general grounds for refusal
Is There a Minimum Investment for the Innovator Founder Visa?
No, there is no minimum investment requirement for the Innovator Founder Visa. Unlike the previous Innovator visa (which required £50,000) or Tier 1 Entrepreneur visa (which required £200,000), the current route focuses on the quality and potential of your business idea rather than a specific investment amount. However, endorsing bodies will assess whether you have sufficient lawful funds to start and sustain your business.
While no minimum investment is specified in the Immigration Rules, the £50,000 threshold remains relevant for settlement purposes—it's one of several success criteria you can meet when applying for Indefinite Leave to Remain after 3 years.
Innovator Founder Visa Fees 2026
For a complete breakdown of all UK visa fees, including dependent applications, see our dedicated fees guide.
What is the Innovator Founder Visa Success Rate?
The Innovator Founder Visa success rate is approximately 86% based on the latest Home Office statistics. For the year ending March 2024, 990 visas were granted against 137 refusals, giving a success rate of 85.79%. Well-prepared applications with professional guidance report success rates of up to 88%.
According to Home Office immigration statistics for the year ending March 2024, here is the breakdown of Innovator Founder Visa application outcomes:
Endorsement approval rates vary significantly by sector and endorsing body, ranging from 54% to 93%. The endorsement stage is typically where most applications fail—securing endorsement is the biggest hurdle, as endorsing bodies apply strict criteria to assess innovation, viability, and scalability.
Business Ideas for the Innovator Founder Visa
Your business idea must be innovative (different from anything else on the market), viable (realistic and deliverable), and scalable (showing potential for job creation and growth into national and international markets). The idea can relate to any sector—tech or non-tech—provided it meets these criteria.
Examples of Innovative Business Ideas by Sector
Your business plan should demonstrate comprehensive market research, realistic financial projections, operational strategies, and competitive differentiation. Endorsing bodies evaluate business plans rigorously—generic or copy-and-paste plans are frequently rejected.
Innovator Founder Visa Endorsement Process
Endorsement from a Home Office-approved endorsing body is mandatory before applying for the Innovator Founder Visa. As of 2026, the current approved endorsing bodies for new applications are Envestors Limited, UK Endorsing Services, Innovator International, and the Global Entrepreneurs Programme.
- Innovative business idea different from existing market offerings
- Viable business plan with realistic financial projections
- Scalable model showing job creation and growth potential
- Evidence of lawful funds to start and sustain the business
- Applicant will be actively involved in day-to-day operations
- Commitment to attend at least 2 contact point meetings
What Are Contact Point Meetings?
Contact point meetings are mandatory check-ins between you and your endorsing body, typically held at 12 and 24 months during your visa period. These meetings assess your business progress against your original plan. You must attend at least 2 meetings during each 3-year visa period. Failure to attend can result in endorsement withdrawal and visa curtailment.
Settlement & Indefinite Leave to Remain After 3 Years
One of the most attractive features of the Innovator Founder Visa is the accelerated pathway to Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) after just 3 years—significantly faster than the 5-year requirement for most other work visa routes.
ILR Success Criteria
To qualify for settlement, your business must demonstrate "significant achievements" by meeting at least 2 of the following criteria:
- Investment: At least £50,000 invested into the business and actively spent
- Customer Growth: Customer base doubled within 3 years, currently higher than the UK mean
- R&D: Significant research and development with UK intellectual property application
- Revenue (Option A): £1 million minimum annual gross revenue in the last full year
- Revenue (Option B): £500,000 minimum annual gross revenue with at least £100,000 from exports
- Job Creation: Created at least 10 full-time jobs for settled workers
- Job Creation (Alternative): Created at least 5 jobs with average salary of £25,000+ per year
You must also pass the Life in the UK Test, maintain English language proficiency at B2 level, and meet the continuous residence requirement.
- No minimum investment requirement—focus is on innovation, viability, and scalability
- Success rate of approximately 86% for well-prepared applications
- Endorsement is the critical step—secure this before applying for the visa
- Accelerated ILR pathway after just 3 years (vs. 5 years for most routes)
- Dependents can join you and work without restriction
If your application is refused, you have the right to request an administrative review if you believe the Home Office made an error. For complete guidance on the Innovator Founder Visa, see Immigration Rules Appendix Innovator Founder.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the minimum investment for the Innovator Founder Visa?
There is no minimum investment requirement for the Innovator Founder Visa. Unlike the previous Innovator visa (£50,000) or Tier 1 Entrepreneur (£200,000), the current route focuses on the quality of your business idea rather than a specific investment amount. However, endorsing bodies will assess whether you have sufficient lawful funds to start and sustain your business, and £50,000 invested is one of several success criteria for settlement after 3 years.
What is the Innovator Founder Visa success rate?
The Innovator Founder Visa has a success rate of approximately 86%. For the year ending March 2024, Home Office statistics show 990 visas granted against 137 refusals (85.79% approval rate). Well-prepared applications with professional guidance report success rates up to 88%. However, endorsement approval rates vary by sector (54-93%), making the endorsement stage the critical first hurdle.
How long does Innovator Founder Visa processing take?
Standard visa processing takes approximately 3 weeks for applications from outside the UK and 8 weeks for in-country applications. However, the overall timeline from business plan preparation to visa decision can range from 4 to 7 months, including the endorsement process (which varies by endorsing body). Priority service (£500 extra) aims for 5 working days; Super Priority (£1,000 extra) targets next working day.
Can I work for another employer on the Innovator Founder Visa?
Yes, Innovator Founder Visa holders can take secondary employment outside their business, but only in roles requiring skill levels at or above RQF Level 3 (equivalent to UK A-levels). Your endorsed business must remain your primary focus, and you cannot fill a position or hire out your labour to another business—even through your own company or an agency. You can also pursue studies while in the UK.
Can I bring my family on the Innovator Founder Visa?
Yes, your spouse/partner and dependent children under 18 can join you in the UK. They must apply as dependents and can live, work, and study in the UK without restriction (except as professional sportspersons or coaches). Each dependent must pay the same visa application fee and Immigration Health Surcharge. Your partner and children will also qualify for ILR when you do.
What happens if my endorsement is withdrawn?
If your endorsement is withdrawn—for example, due to business failure, lack of progress, missed contact point meetings, or failure to pay required fees—the Home Office may curtail your visa, giving you 60 days to leave the UK or apply for another visa. Endorsement withdrawal can also occur if your business idea changes significantly and no longer meets the innovation, viability, and scalability criteria.
Can I switch to Innovator Founder Visa from a Student visa?
Yes, from 25 November 2025 under HC 1333, Student visa holders who have completed their course can switch directly to the Innovator Founder Visa without leaving the UK. Students may even begin self-employment while their application is pending, provided they have completed their course (or spent 24+ months on a PhD) and obtained endorsement from an approved body.
How long can I stay in the UK on an Innovator Founder Visa?
The Innovator Founder Visa is granted for up to 3 years initially. You can extend it in 3-year increments indefinitely, provided you continue to meet the requirements and maintain endorsement. After 3 years of continuous residence, you may apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain if your business demonstrates significant achievements. There is no time limit on how long you can remain on the Innovator Founder route.