United Kingdom

The UK Innovator Founder Visa offers entrepreneurs the opportunity to obtain permanent residence within three (3) years, providing a supply-side of benefits.

UK Innovator Founder Visa

With its global connectivity, the UK attracts people from all corners of the world to live, work, and innovate. By qualifying for the Innovator Founder Visa and establishing an innovative company, an aspiring applicant can connect with the nation’s enterprise spirit and gain access to outstanding educational opportunities.


The United Kingdom serves as a vital link between the EU and the US, all the while maintaining solid connections with Asia, making it a focal point for international business and collaboration.


If you meet the specific criteria and fulfill the requirements throughout your residency application, you may be eligible for citizenship after Five (5) years, further leveraging your goals for a different, if not better, future.


As an innovator founder, you have the option to apply for dependent visas for your children below the age of 18 and your spouse, allowing your entire family to benefit from the opportunities and resources available in the UK.


The UK boasts a robust and diverse economy, offering a wide range of business opportunities. As a holder of the Innovator Founder Visa, you can leverage this dynamic marketplace and explore avenues for growth and success.

Minimum Requirement: €200,000

Processing Time: Four (4) to Six (6) months

PROGRAMME REQUIREMENTS

Create an innovative, viable and scalable Business Plan.

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Innovation

You must demonstrate a genuine, original business plan that meets new or existing market needs and/or creates a competitive advantage.

Financial Requirement

If you are outside the UK or have been in the UK for less than 12 months, you must show having held the following level of funds for a 28-day period: £1,270 to support yourself, plus £285 for a dependant partner, £315 for a first child and £200 for each additional child.

Language

Unless an exemption applies, you must show English Language ability equivalent to CEFR level B2.

Viability

You must demonstrate that your plan is realistic and achievable based on your resources and that you have (or are developing) the necessary skills, knowledge, experience, and market awareness to run the business successfully.

Medical Certificate

Unless an exemption applies, you must provide a health certificate confirming that you have undergone screening for active pulmonary tuberculosis.

Scalability

You must demonstrate the following:

  • Evidence of structured planning demonstrating a credible path to growth
  • Potential for ongoing high-quality and skilled job creation
  • Scope for growth into national and international markets, and Projections based on credible research.
  • Procure a letter of Endorsement – an approved UK endorsing body will review your business plan and will
  • Assess that you generated or made a significant contribution to the ideas in that business plan.
    • Assess that you are either the founding team’s sole founder or an instrumental member.
    • Assess the innovative, viable, and scalable business requirements.
    • Assess that you will have a day-to-day role in carrying out the business plan.
  • Confirm that they will have Two (2) contact point meetings with you at regular intervals. This will lead to the issuance of a letter of endorsement, which must be issued not more than Three (3) months before the date of your visa application.

OBTAIN INDEFINITE LEAVE TO REMAIN (ILR)

To qualify for indefinite leave to remain as an Innovator Founder, you will need to demonstrate that:

  • You have been endorsed by an approved UK endorsing body that is satisfied that you have shown significant achievements judged against the business plan assessed in your previous endorsement;
  • You are registered with Companies House as a Director or Member of your business;
  • Your business is active, trading and appears sustainable for at least the following 12 months;
  • You have had an active key role in the day-to-day management and development of the bus
Business Target Concept

In addition, you satisfy at least two (2) of the following conditions:

  • At least £50,000 has been invested into the business and actively spent furthering your business.
  • The business has created the equivalent of at least Five (5) full-time jobs for settled workers, which have an average salary of at least £25,000 a year.
  • The business has created the equivalent of at least 10 full-time jobs for resident workers with no average salary requirement.
  • The number of customers has at least doubled within the most recent Three (3) years and is currently higher than the mean number of customers for other UK businesses offering comparable main products or services.
  • The business has engaged in significant research and development activity and has applied for intellectual property protection in the UK.
  • The business has generated a minimum annual gross revenue of £1 million in the last full year covered by its accounts. OR
  • The business has generated a minimum annual gross revenue of £500,000 in the last full year covered by its accounts, with at least £100,000 from exporting overseas.
  • You have spent not more than 180 days outside the UK in any rolling 12-month period during the Three (3) years prior to the date of application and you have sufficient knowledge of the English language and life in the UK.

If you have any inquiries or would like a comprehensive breakdown of the expenses for your family,

please do not hesitate to contact us. We would be pleased to assist you.

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