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United Kingdom Innovator Founder Visa

The UK Innovator Founder Visa is a residency-by-investment program designed for experienced businesspeople with a viable innovative business idea who wish to establish their business in the UK. Applicants may wish to apply for permanent residency after 3 years. And further after 1 year apply for citizenship after meeting certain requirements.

United Kingdom Innovator Founder Visa Benefits

Residency and Family Inclusion

  • Permanent residents have the freedom to live and work in the UK without any restriction.

Dependents included:

  • Spouse;
  • children under 18;
  • children over 18 currently in the UK as a dependent.

Travel and Quality of Life

  • One of the highest standards of living in the world and is a member of the G-7 group of countries.
  • A high standard education and healthcare system.
  • Access to business opportunities throughout Europe.

Ease of Access

  • Eligible to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) to become UK permanent residents after 3 years.
  • Pathway to apply for Citizenship after 5 years.
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United Kingdom Innovator Founder Visa Requirements

  • Applicants must be at least 18 years old.
  • Have the business idea endorsed by an approved endorsing body no more than 3 months prior to the Visa Application.
  • Must be competent in the English Language to at least CEFR Level B2 (IELTS Score of 5.5-6.0) in all Categories.
  • Must have Sufficient funds to support themselves and any qualifying dependents;
  • The Application does not fall for refusal on general grounds for refusal.

United Kingdom Residency Investment Visa Options

Investment and Endorsement Criteria

  • The applicant must invest at least GBP 50,000 into business and obtain an endorsement from an approved body.
  • The applicant may establish their own business or they can work with a Joint Venture partner in the UK to establish a qualifying business.
  • Joint Venture Business investments with a local UK partner are typically in the region of GBP 200,000 – GBP 250,000.
  • To obtain an endorsement from an approved body, the applicant must provide a business plan and supporting documents showing that the business is:
    • Innovative.
    • Viable.
    • Scalable.
    • Can be sustained.

United Kingdom Innovator Founder Visa Process

Processing time To be announced Months

Due Diligence And Application

  • Must develop a viable business plan and have the business plan endorsed by an endorsing body approved by the UK Government.
  • Following endorsement, the application must be made to a UK Embassy or Consulate nearest to where the applicant resides.

Approval And Investment

  • Upon successful application, an initial 3-year visa will be issued to enable the applicant to move to the UK to commence the business.
  • Progress must be reviewed by the endorsing body at the 6, 12- and 24-month marks.

Residency

  • The visa can be extended for a further 3 years providing that the business is still running and validated by an approved body.
  • Applicants may apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) after 3 years subject to meeting minimum business performance requirements.

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Frequently Asked Questions

The UK Innovator Founder Visa is designed for experienced entrepreneurs with innovative business ideas, allowing them to establish and reside in the UK.

Eligibility for the UK Innovator Founder Visa includes possessing an innovative business idea, endorsement by an authorized entity, a £50,000 investment, self-sufficiency in funds, English proficiency, a clean criminal record, and a clear tuberculosis test.

The UK Innovator Visa is initially valid for 3 years, renewable for another 3 years, with potential eligibility for permanent residence after 3 years based on advanced business performance.

Applicants must spend at least 270 days per year in the UK to meet the residency requirements of the UK Innovator Visa.

Renewal of the UK Innovator Visa requires ongoing endorsement by an authorized body and meeting minimum business performance criteria.

UK Innovator Visa holders are restricted to working only for the business specified in their visa application.

The UK Innovator Visa does not permit holders to work or reside in other EU countries.

Spouses and dependent children under 18 of UK Innovator Visa holders can also benefit from the visa, and are permitted to work or study in the UK.

A minimum investment of £50,000 from any legitimate source is required for the UK Innovator Visa.

The investment must be maintained until permanent residence is granted to keep the UK Innovator Visa valid.

Additional investments or acquisitions in the UK are permitted for UK Innovator Visa holders.

Withdrawal of the investment results in loss of residency rights unless permanent residence has been granted.

Permanent residence is applicable after 3 years if the business is highly successful, or after 5 years under standard performance evaluations.

Eligibility for British citizenship requires a minimum of 5 years of UK residency and 1 year of permanent residence, along with fulfilling language and other criteria.

The UK permits dual or multiple citizenships without restrictions.