The Innovator Founder Visa: A Practical Guide for Entrepreneurs
The Innovator Founder visa is now the UK’s primary immigration route for overseas entrepreneurs who want to establish and scale a business in Britain. Replacing the former Innovator and Start-up visas, this route brings endorsement, monitoring, and settlement under one streamlined framework.
It offers a clear pathway to long‑term residence, but it is also one of the most closely scrutinised business immigration categories. Applicants must secure endorsement, maintain compliance, and demonstrate genuine business progress throughout their stay.
This guide breaks down how the Innovator Founder visa works and how the specialist immigration team at Garner & Hancock supports entrepreneurs at every stage.
What Is the Innovator Founder Visa?
The Innovator Founder visa is designed for entrepreneurs who want to establish and actively run a UK business that is:
- Innovative – offering something new or significantly different to the UK market
- Viable – commercially sound, with the founder having the skills and experience to deliver
- Scalable – capable of growth, job creation, and expansion beyond a local customer base
This route is not suitable for passive investors or low‑growth business models. Applicants must take a hands‑on leadership role in the business.
Key Features
- Initial permission is normally granted for three years
- Accelerated settlement (ILR) may be available after three years
- Extensions are possible if endorsement is maintained
- Dependants can accompany or join the main applicant
- Limited secondary employment is allowed if it does not detract from running the business
Endorsement: The Foundation of the Visa Route
Before applying for the visa, entrepreneurs must secure endorsement from a Home Office‑approved endorsing body. Without endorsement, the application cannot proceed.
Endorsing bodies are independent organisations authorised to:
- Assess the business proposal
- Confirm the founder’s suitability
- Monitor progress after the visa is granted
Endorsement is ongoing, not a one‑off approval. Founders must continue to meet the criteria throughout their stay.
What Endorsing Bodies Look For
To issue an endorsement, the endorsing body must be satisfied that the business meets three core criteria:
1. Innovation
The business must be genuinely new or significantly different from what already exists in the UK market. Standard service businesses or franchises rarely qualify unless they demonstrate a clear innovative element.
2. Viability
The business must be commercially realistic. Endorsing bodies assess:
- The founder’s skills and experience
- The credibility of the financial projections
- Whether the business can realistically be delivered
3. Scalability
The business must show potential for structured growth, including:
- Job creation
- Expansion beyond a local market
- Long‑term commercial potential
Endorsing bodies also check that the applicant is a genuine founder who has made a meaningful contribution to the business plan and will play an active leadership role.
Business Plans and Funding Requirements
There is no minimum investment requirement under the Innovator Founder rules. However, applicants must show they have sufficient lawful funds to launch and operate the business in line with the endorsed plan.
Endorsing bodies typically expect:
- A detailed, credible business plan
- Realistic financial forecasts
- Clear evidence of funding sources
Weak financial evidence or unclear funding arrangements are common reasons for endorsement refusal.
While solicitors do not assess the commercial viability of business plans, experienced immigration advisers ensure the plan aligns with immigration rules and meets endorsement expectations.
Ongoing Monitoring and Compliance
Once the visa is granted, the endorsement must be maintained. Innovator Founder visa holders must attend at least two formal contact point meetings with their endorsing body during each grant of leave.
Endorsing bodies must notify the Home Office if:
- The business stops trading
- The founder disengages from the business
- Significant changes are made without approval
- Mandatory meetings are missed
If endorsement is withdrawn, the visa may be curtailed. Maintaining accurate records, realistic targets, and open communication with the endorsing body is essential.
How Garner & Hancock Can Help
At Garner & Hancock, our specialist immigration solicitors support entrepreneurs throughout the entire Innovator Founder journey.
Our services include:
- Assessing eligibility for the Innovator Founder visa
- Advising on alternative immigration routes where appropriate
- Guiding clients through the endorsement process
- Ensuring the business structure and founder role meet Home Office requirements
- Preparing and submitting visa applications
- Advising on extensions and settlement (ILR)
- Supporting clients with endorsement issues, monitoring obligations, or Home Office scrutiny
We do not advise on the commercial viability of business plans, but we work closely with clients to ensure their immigration strategy is robust, compliant, and aligned with the endorsement and visa framework.
