Innovator Founder Visa Solicitors

The business proposal must satisfy the route’s innovation, viability and scalability requirements and be assessed by an approved endorsing body. Endorsement and a Home Office visa decision are different stages; a promising commercial idea is not itself immigration permission.

For a new-business application, consider what makes the proposal distinct, how it can operate successfully and what supports its growth plans. Buying an ordinary trading business should not be assumed to satisfy the new-business requirements.

Highfin’s existing material discusses founder eligibility, endorsement and business-plan preparation. You can ask the firm to confirm whether it can review the immigration aspects of your proposal. This does not imply that Highfin is an endorsing body or that it can secure endorsement.

Applicants must be at least 18 and meet the English-language requirement. B2 is the relevant language level, with recognised qualifications, test evidence or an applicable exemption considered under the official guidance.

Business funding and money for personal maintenance are different. A new-business applicant needs to demonstrate appropriate funding and its source to the endorsing body; the absence of a fixed investment minimum is not permission to proceed without a credible funding plan.

Where the personal maintenance requirement applies, current guidance requires £1,270 held for 28 consecutive days. It applies to entry applications and to some extension or switching applicants who have been in the UK for less than a year. Investment funds cannot also be used as personal maintenance.

• Read personal eligibility and funding requirements
• Read the founder English-language rules

Prepare the proposal around its market, development plan, available resources and growth strategy. The endorsing body’s assessment should be distinguished from the documents required for the immigration application.

The visa evidence includes an endorsement letter, identity documents and relevant proof of English and financial support. Tuberculosis evidence may be needed depending on the applicant’s circumstances, and documents not in English or Welsh require certified translations.

• A business proposal explaining its innovation, commercial viability and intended growth.
• Evidence of funding and its source for the endorsing body where required.
• The endorsement letter and identity evidence for the visa application.
• English and personal-maintenance evidence where applicable, with any other route-specific documents.

• Official Innovator Founder visa documents

The business is assessed for endorsement before the visa application. If endorsed, the applicant must still satisfy the immigration requirements and complete the online application and identity process.

Permission is normally granted for three years. Required contact with the endorsing body includes progress meetings after 12 and 24 months. Withdrawal of endorsement can affect permission; continued business progress and any later application need planning.

Switching from within the UK is not available from every status. Visitors and certain other categories cannot switch; students have additional conditions. Check your current permission and application location before making business or travel commitments.

• Check in-country switching conditions

An extension requires a further endorsement and satisfaction of the relevant requirements. Settlement may be possible after three qualifying years under the Innovator or Innovator Founder routes, but it requires a new endorsement and the applicable business-growth and residence requirements.

Permission for three years is not a promise of indefinite leave to remain. Assess the qualifying period, absences, business progress and other settlement conditions separately. Time on another visa cannot simply be added to this route’s three-year qualifying period.

• Indefinite leave to remain information
• Official founder settlement requirements

An enquiry to Highfin can describe the business idea, your current immigration position and whether you have approached an endorsing body. Ask what assistance is available with route suitability, the application evidence and any questions about endorsement.

Agree the boundaries between legal advice and commercial planning. This page does not promise access to investors, endorsement, a business-plan service or a successful visa application.