Innovator Founder Visa 2026
Set up and run an innovative business in the UK. You need an endorsement from an approved endorsing body.
Application fee
£1,191
NHS surcharge
£1,035/year
Processing time
3–8 weeks
Who is eligible?
- An innovative, viable, and scalable business idea — endorsed by an approved UK endorsing body
- £50,000 in investment funding (waived if you are re-applying or your business is already established)
- English language at B2 level (CEFR)
- The business must be new to the UK market — not just replicating existing businesses
How to apply — step by step
- 1Research approved endorsing bodies at gov.uk and choose the most relevant to your sector
- 2Apply to the endorsing body with your business plan — they assess innovation, viability, and scalability
- 3If endorsed, apply for the visa within 3 months at gov.uk/innovator-founder-visa
- 4Pay the £1,191 application fee and Immigration Health Surcharge
- 5You can work on your business from day one; you do not need a separate sponsor
Key requirements at a glance
- Endorsed innovative business idea
- £50,000 investment (waived if re-applicant)
- English language (B2)
Frequently asked questions
What makes a business idea eligible for the Innovator Founder visa?▾
The endorsing body assesses three criteria: Innovation (the idea is genuinely new or significantly different), Viability (realistic chance of business success), and Scalability (potential to grow and create jobs). Generic businesses or direct copies of existing products will not be endorsed.
Do I need £50,000 upfront for the Innovator Founder visa?▾
Yes, for first-time applicants — you need to show £50,000 of investment funds. However, this is waived for re-applicants who are continuing their endorsed business. The endorsing body must confirm the investment source is legitimate.
Can I work for someone else while on the Innovator Founder visa?▾
Yes, you can also take supplementary employment (up to 20 hours per week in a job that is not running your own business). However, your primary activity must be running your endorsed business.
How long does the Innovator Founder visa last?▾
3 years. After that, you can apply for settlement (ILR) if your business has met the endorsing body's criteria — typically showing active trading, job creation, and revenue generation.
Is there a difference between the Innovator Founder visa and the old Innovator visa?▾
The Innovator Founder visa replaced the old Innovator visa in April 2023. The main change: the old visa required a £50,000 investment for everyone including renewals. The new visa waives the investment requirement for re-applicants with established businesses.
Next steps
Official application
Apply for the Innovator Founder Visa on GOV.UK
All visa applications are processed by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) via the official gov.uk website.
Apply on GOV.UK