UK Innovator Overview

You can apply for an Innovator visa if:

• You want to set up and run an innovative business in the UK – it must be something that’s different from anything else on the market
• Your business or business idea has been endorsed by an approved body, also known as an endorsing body
• You meet the other eligibility requirements

Eligibility

You must be able to show that your business idea is:

• New – you cannot join a business that is already trading
• Innovative – you must have an original business idea which is different from anything else on the market
• Viable, with potential for growth

Knowledge of English

You must be able to speak, read, write and understand English. You’ll usually need to prove your knowledge of English when you apply.

How long you can stay

You can stay for 3 years if you either:

• Come to the UK on an Innovator visa
• Switch to this visa from another visa while in the UK

If you want to stay longer in the UK

You can apply to extend your stay for another 3 years when your visa is due to expire. There’s no limit on the number of times you can extend.

You may be able to apply for settlement once you’ve been in the UK for 3 years.

If your endorsement is withdrawn

Your visa may be cut short if your endorsement is withdrawn by the endorsing body. If you want to stay longer, you must re-apply with a new endorsement before your current visa expires.

How to apply

You must apply online.

How you apply depends on whether you’re:

• Outside the UKand are coming to the UK
• Inside the UK and extending your current visa
• Inside the UK and switching from a different visa

You can include your partner and children in your application to stay in the UK if they are eligible.

How long it takes

As part of your application, you’ll need to prove your identity and provide your documents.

You may need to allow extra time if you need an appointment to do this. You’ll find out if you need one when you start your application.

Getting a decision

Once you’ve applied online, proved your identity and provided your documents, you’ll usually get a decision on your visa within:

• 3 weeks, if you’re outside the UK
• 8 weeks, if you’re inside the UK

If you need to go to an appointment, you may be able to pay for a faster decision. How you do this depends on whether you’re outside the UK or inside the UK.

Fees

How much you pay for an Innovator visa depends on your situation and where you apply from.

Inside UK – 1292 GBP

Outside UK – 1036 GBP

Youu must pay the visa fee for each person that applies at the same time as you or applies later to join you in the UK.

Healthcare surcharge

You’ll also have to pay the healthcare surcharge as part of your application.

Check how much you’ll have to pay before you apply.

https://www.immigration-health-surcharge.service.gov.uk/checker/type

If you’re applying to extend or switch in the UK

You’ll also need to have your biometric information (fingerprints and a photo) taken – there’s no fee for this.

What you can and cannot do

With an Innovator visa you can:

• Set up a business or several businesses
• Work for your business – this includes being employed as a director, or self-employed as a member of a business partnership
• Bring your partner and children with you as your ‘dependants’, if they’re eligible
• Travel abroad and return to the UK
• Apply to settle permanently in the UK (also known as ‘indefinite leave to remain’) If you’ve lived in the UK for 3 years and meet the other eligibility requirements

You cannot:

• Do any work outside your business, for example work where you’re employed by another business
• Work as a professional sportsperson, for example a sports coach
• Apply for most benefits (public funds), or the State Pension

If your application is successful, you’ll get a full list of what you can and cannot do with an Innovator visa.

Eligibility

Before you apply you need to have your business or business idea assessed by an endorsing body.

They will provide you with an endorsement letter if your business is eligible.

You must also:

• Meet the English language requirement
• Be at least 18 years old
• Be able to prove that you have enough personal savings to support yourself while you’re in the UK

Read the specific requirements for the Innovator visa before you apply.

If you want to set up a new business

You must have at least £50,000 in investment funds to apply for an Innovator visa if you want to set up a new business.

You’ll need to prove where you got your funding from.

You do not need any investment funds if either:

• Your business is already established and has been endorsed for an earlier visa
• You’ve changed your business and already agreed it with your endorsing body

Supporting yourself

You need to have had at least £1,270 in your bank account for 28 consecutive days before you either:

• Apply for an Innovator visa
• Apply to extend your Innovator visaor switch to an Innovator visa if you’ve been in the UK for less than a year

You cannot use either of the following to support yourself:

• Money from your investment funds
• Money earned while working in the UK illegally

Read the guidance on financial evidence for more information about the money you need and how to prove it.

Sharing investment funds

You can form a team with other Innovator applicants, but you cannot share the same investment funds.

Your team must have £50,000 for each Innovator applicant. For example, if you have 2 Innovator applicants, your team must have £100,000 to invest.

Knowledge of English

You’ll usually need to prove your knowledge of the English language when you apply, unless you did this in a previous successful visa application.

Level of English

You must prove you can read, write, speak and understand English to a level B2 on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) scale.

You can prove your knowledge of English by:

• Passing a Secure English Language Test (SELT) from an approved provider
• Having a GCSE, A level, Scottish National Qualification level 4 or 5, Scottish Higher or Advanced Higher in English gained through study at a UK school that you began when you were under 18
• Having a degree-level academic qualification that was taught in English – if you studied abroad, you’ll need to apply for confirmation through Ecctis (formerly UK NARIC)that your qualification is equivalent to a UK bachelor’s degree, master’s degree or PhD

Who does not need to prove their knowledge of English

You do not need to prove your knowledge of English if you’re a national of one of the following countries or territories:

• Antigua and Barbuda
• Australia
• the Bahamas
• Barbados
• Belize
• the British overseas territories
• Canada
• Dominica
• Grenada
• Guyana
• Jamaica
• Malta
• New Zealand
• St Kitts and Nevis
• St Lucia
• St Vincent and the Grenadines
• Trinidad and Tobago
• USA

Documents you’ll need to apply

When you apply you need to provide an ‘endorsement letter’ to show that an endorsing body has assessed your business or business idea.

You also need to provide:

• A valid passport or other document that shows your identity and nationality
• Bank statements showing you’ve had at least £1,270 in savings in your bank account for 28 consecutive days before you apply
• Proof that you meet the English language requirement
• Evidence of your investment funds (if you’re setting up a new business)
• Your tuberculosis test results if you’re from a country where you have to take the test

If your documents are not in English or Welsh you’ll also need to provide a certified translation.

You’ll need a blank page in your passport for your visa if you’re:

• From outside the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein
• From the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein but do not have a biometric passport with a chip in it

Your partner and children

Your partner and children can apply to join you or to stay in the UK as your ‘dependants’ if they’re eligible. If their application is successful, their visa will end on the same date as yours.

Your relationship

A dependant partner or child is any of the following:

• Your husband, wife, civil partner or unmarried partner
• Your child under 18 – including if they were born in the UK during your stay
• Your child over 18 if they’re currently in the UK as your dependant

You’ll need to provide evidence of your relationship when you apply.

Your partner

You must be able to prove that either:

• You’re in a civil partnership or marriage that’s recognised in the UK
• You’ve been living together in a relationship for at least 2 years when you apply

If your child is 16 or over

They must:

• Live with you (unless they’re in full-time education at boarding school, college or university)
• Not be married, in a civil partnership or have any children
• Be financially supported by you

If your child lives with you, you’ll need to provide 2 of the following documents confirming their address:

• A bank statement
• Credit card bills
• Driving licence
• NHS registration document
• An official letter from their university or college

Money they need to support themselves

Your partner and children must each have a certain amount of money available to support themselves while they’re in the UK.

In addition to the £1,270 you must have to support yourself, you – or your partner or child – will need:

• £285 for your partner
• £315 for one child
• £200 for each additional child

Example

You must have £1,870 if you want to bring your partner and 1 child with you to the UK: £1,270 to support yourself + £285 for your partner + £315 for your child.

You’ll need to have had the money in your bank account or your dependant’s bank account for at least 28 days before you or they apply.

You’ll usually need to show proof of this when you apply, unless you or they are applying from inside the UK and you’ve been here for 1 year or more.

Apply from outside the UK

Your partner and children must either:

• Apply online as a partner
• Apply online as a child

Each family member will need to complete a separate application and pay the visa fee). They must apply before they travel to the UK.

Each family member will need to complete a separate application and pay the visa fee.

They’ll also need your application number – you’ll get this when you apply. This number is called a Global Web Form (GWF) or a Unique Application Number (UAN). You’ll find it on emails and letters from the Home Office about your application.

As part of their application, they’ll need to have their fingerprints and photograph taken at a visa application centre. This is to get a biometric residence permit, which they’ll need to collect within 10 days of when they said they’d arrive in the UK.

How long it takes to get a decision

Once they’ve applied online, proved their identity and provided their documents, they’ll usually get a decision within 3 weeks.

They may be able to pay to get their visa faster or use other services depending on which country they’re in – check with the visa application centre.

Apply from inside the UK (extend or switch)

Your partner or child can apply to extend or switch their visa either:

• At the same time as you apply to extendor switch your own visa
• At any time before their current visa expires

This includes children who have turned 18 during your stay.

Your partner or children will not be able to apply to switch to an Innovator visa if they are currently in the UK in one of the following circumstances:

• On a visit visa
• On a short-term student visa
• On a Parent of a Child Student visa
• On a seasonal worker visa
• On a domestic worker in a private household visa
• On immigration bail
• They were given permission to stay outside the immigration rules, for example on compassionate grounds

How to apply

Your partner and child must apply online to either:

• Extend or switch to an Innovator visa as your partner
• Extend or switch to an Innovator visa as your child
• They’ll need your application number – you’ll get this when you apply. This number is called a Global Web Form (GWF) or a Unique Application Number (UAN). You’ll find it on emails and letters from the Home Office about your application.
• As part of their application, they’ll be asked to make an appointment at a UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services (UKVCAS)service point to provide their biometric information (fingerprints and a photo).

They’ll also need to submit their supporting documents. They can:

• Upload them into the online service
• Have them scanned at their UKVCAS appointment

They must not travel outside of the UK, Ireland, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man until they get a decision. Their application will be withdrawn if they do.

Getting a faster decision

They may be able to pay to get a faster decision – they’ll be told if they can when they apply.

Children born in the UK

If you have a child while you’re in the UK, they do not automatically become a British citizen.

You can apply online for their dependant visa. You must do this if you want to travel in and out of the UK with your child.

You’ll need to provide a full UK birth certificate for each child, showing the names of both parents.

You must apply for their dependant visa before they turn 18 if they want to stay in the UK.

Extend your visa

You can usually apply to extend an Innovator visa if both of the following apply:

• You meet the eligibility requirements
• You’re still running a business in the UK or want to set up a new one

Your partner or children will need to apply separately to extend their visa. They can either apply at the same time as you, or at any time before their current visa expires.

You should apply before your current visa expires.

You must have £50,000 in investment funds if you want to set up a new business. You do not need funds if either:

• Your business is already established and has been endorsed for an earlier visa
• You’ve changed your business and already agreed it with your endorsing body

You need to have your business or business idea assessed by an endorsing body when you extend your visa.

Fees

Check how much money you’ll need to extend your visa and support yourself while you’re in the UK.

You’ll also need to have your biometric information (fingerprints and a photo) taken – there’s no fee for this.

Proving your identity and supplying supporting documents

As part of your application, you’ll need to prove your identity. How you do this depends on where you’re from and what type of passport you have.

You’ll either:

• Give your fingerprints and a photograph (biometric information) at a UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services (UKVCAS)service point – this is to get a biometric residence permit
• Use the ‘UK Immigration: ID Check’ app to scan your identity document – you’ll also create or sign into your UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account

You’ll be told what you need to do when you apply.

If you do need an appointment:

• The centre may need to keep your passport and documents while they process your application
• You may have to travel to get to your nearest visa application centre (this could be in another country)

Apply in the UK

You must apply online.

Once you’ve started your application, you can save your form and complete it later.

Indefinite leave to remain if you have an Innovator visa

Overview

You may be eligible for indefinite leave to remain if you have an Innovator visa.

Indefinite leave to remain is how you settle in the UK. It gives you the right to live, work and study here for as long as you like, and apply for benefits if you’re eligible. You can use it to apply for British citizenship.

Eligibility

You must have:

• Lived in the UK for 3 years using an Innovator visa – you cannot include time spent in the UK using any other visa
• A new endorsement that shows you’ve met the requirements for growing your business

Knowledge of life in the UK

If you’re 18 to 64 you must pass the Life in the UK Test.

Time outside the UK

You must have spent no more than 180 days outside the UK in any 12 months.

If you think you’re affected by this rule, find out how to calculate your time in the UK (‘continuous residence’).

When to apply

You’ll be able to apply 28 days before you’re eligible. Your application may be refused if you apply earlier.

Do not wait until your current visa expires. If your visa expires before you can apply for indefinite leave to remain, you’ll need to renew it first.

Fees and how long it takes

It costs £2,404 for each person applying.

You’ll each need to have your biometric information (fingerprints and a photo) taken – there’s no fee for this.

You’ll usually get a decision within 6 months.

You must not travel outside of the UK, Ireland, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man until you get a decision. Your application will be withdrawn if you do.

You’ll be contacted if your application is complex and will take longer, for example:

• If your supporting documents need to be verified
• If you need to attend an interview
• Because of your personal circumstances, for example if you have a criminal conviction

Getting endorsed

Before you can apply, you must show an approved body that you’ve grown your business.

If you meet the criteria, the body will give you an endorsement letter to show that you’re eligible for indefinite leave to remain.

Once you’ve got your letter, you must apply for indefinite leave to remain within 3 months.

You do not need to use the same body that endorsed you for your Innovator visa.

Endorsement requirements

You must be able to demonstrate you have an active key role in the day-to-day management and development of your business.

Your business must be:

• Registered with Companies House, and you’re either the director or a member
• Currently trading, and be able to continue for at least the next 12 months

Your business must have done 2 of the following:

• Had £50,000 of investment, which you’ve spent on developing the business
• Doubled the number of customers in the last 3 years – and this number is higher than the average for similar businesses
• Applied for intellectual property protectionin the UK
• Made £1 million revenue in the last full year covered by accounts
• Made £500,000 revenue in the last full year covered by accounts, with £100,000 of this from exporting overseas
• Created the equivalent of 10 full-time jobs that have existed for 12 months
• Created the equivalent of 5 full-time jobs that have existed for 12 months, with an average salary of £25,000 a year

You may have already met some of these criteria when you applied for your visa.

If you’ve created jobs

The jobs you’ve created must be for ‘settled workers’. A settled worker is someone who was one of the following when they started working for you:

• A British citizen
• An EEA citizen who was living in the UK and working for you by 31 December 2020
• A Commonwealth citizen with a UK Ancestry visa
• Someone with indefinite leave to remain or settled status

Family members

Your partner and children can apply at the same time if they’re eligible.

Your partner and children can also apply separately at a later date, for example if they’re not eligible yet. They can continue to extend their visa as your dependant, even after you get indefinite leave to remain.

Eligibility for partners

Your partner may qualify if all of the following apply:

• They have permission to be in the UK as your partner (as a ‘dependant’ on your Innovator visa)
• They’ve lived in the UK with you as your dependant for at least 5 continuous years
• Your relationship is genuine
• You intend to keep living together
• You have enough income to support yourselves and your dependants
• You’re not using public funds(benefits)

Your partner can include time they’ve spent as your dependant on another visa to count towards the continuous years they need to qualify. They cannot count any time spent on their own visa (not as your dependant).

Your partner must also:

• Pass the Life in the UK Test
• Meet the English language requirements

Eligibility for children

Your child can apply if:

• They have permission to be in the UK as your child (as a ‘dependant’ on your visa)
• They are not married, in a civil partnership or living an independent life
• They will live with you and be supported by you without relying on public funds (benefits)
• You and your child’s other parent are both currently applying to settle, or are already settled

Your child can also apply to settle in one of the following situations:

• You’re the child’s sole surviving parent
• You have sole responsibility for your child, or they normally live with you
• There are serious or compelling reasons why they should be allowed to stay, for example you or your child has a serious illness

Extra documents for children over 16

You’ll need to prove:

• Where they live – if they do not live with you, you’ll need to explain why
• Any rent or upkeep they pay you each month
• That you support them financially if they do not live with you

You’ll need to provide 2 documents from this list to prove where they live:

• Bank statement
• Credit card bill
• Driving licence
• NHS registration document
• A letter from their current school, college or university, on headed paper and issued by an authorised official of that organisation

The documents you provide cannot be more than a month old on the date you make your application.

If your child lives away from home, you’ll need to provide:

• Bank statements for you and your child covering the 3 months before the date you apply (to prove you’ve supported them)
• Confirmation from their university or college on headed paper and issued by an authorised official (if they’re studying)

Children 18 and over

Older children can apply if both of the following are true:

• They were under 18 when they got permission to be in the UK as your dependant
• They still do not live an independent life – for example, they have not got married or had children

They also need to:

• Pass the Life in the UK Test
• Meet the English language requirements

How to apply

You should apply during the last month of your current permission to be in the UK.

You must apply online.

Proving your identity and providing supporting documents

As part of your application you’ll need to prove your identity. How you do this depends on where you’re from and the type of passport or resident permit you have.

You’ll either:

• Use the ‘UK Immigration: ID Check’ app to scan your identity document – you’ll also create or sign in to your UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account
• Give your fingerprints and a photograph (biometric information) at a UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services (UKVCAS) service point – this is to get a biometric residence permit

You’ll be told what you need to do when you apply.

You’ll be told which documents you need to provide when you apply. You might need to show that, for example:

• You meet the English language requirements and have passed the Life in the UK Test
• You meet the financial requirements, including proof of where your money came from

Apply to for indefinite leave to remain

You must apply online before your current visa expires.