Apply For An Innovator Visa

With the closure of other routes for entrepreneurs, the Innovator Visa offers an attractive option to experienced business people who are seeking to set up or run a business in the UK.

If you are applying for an Innovator Visa, you will need to meet the application’s general requirements and some additional criteria (that will depend on whether you are endorsed by a recognised endorsing body) for your new business or the one that you will be running.

Innovator Visa application

General requirements:

You must meet the general requirements that are common across the Work Visa routes, those being as follows:

  • You must be at least 18 years old.
  • You must meet the English language requirement.
  • You can financially support yourself and any dependents (At least £1,270 available in your bank account for 28 consecutive days).

Additionally, for the Innovator Visa, your business – new or current – must be endorsed by an approved endorsing body. You can see a list of all the authorised endorsing bodies published on the Home Office website.

You are considered to be endorsed for the same business if your last grant of leave was in Tier 1 (Graduate Entrepreneur), Start-Up, or Innovator categories and you are pursuing the same business that was endorsed for your previous leave.

There are two types of businesses covered by the Innovator Visa, a ‘new’ business, which you are either starting up or are taking over or a ‘same’ business – a business that you currently run and have run in the past on another Business Visa.

Their specific set of requirements are as follows:

Innovator Visa requirements for new businesses

If you are considered to be endorsed for a new business, you must meet the following requirements (together with the General Requirements):

  • You must have at least £50,000 available in investment funds, of your own or from third parties
  • Your business venture must be innovative, viable, and scalable.

Innovator Visa requirements for the same business

If you are considered to be endorsed for the same business that you have been running, you must meet the following requirements (together with the general requirements):

  • You need to show significant achievements in line with the business plan for your previous application.
  • Your business must be registered with Companies House and you need to be listed as a director or a member of that business.
  • Your business must be active and trading.
  • You need to prove that your business is sustainable for at least the following 12 months.
  • You must have demonstrated an active key role in the day-to-day management and development of the business.

At QC Immigration, we offer our clients comprehensive legal assistance, you will benefit from a detailed document list, document checks, and thorough guidance for any interview and ongoing advice to help you meet the above-mentioned requirements.

Application process

You need to apply online for an Innovator Visa via the Home Office website.

You will be required to have your fingerprints and photograph taken at a visa application centre in order to obtain a biometric residence permit. Then, you will have to collect your biometric residence permit within 10 days of when you initially stated that you would arrive in the UK.

This will add £19.20 to your application.

Indefinite Leave to Remain

You can apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain as an Innovator if you have continuously resided in the UK for at least 3 years and you meet the other eligibility requirements.

You need to demonstrate that you have met the Settlement Success Criteria including at least 2 of the below:

  • You have invested at least £50,000 into the business in order to advance the business plan of your previous endorsement.
  • The number of the business’ customers has at least doubled within the last 3 years and is now higher than the average number of customers for other UK businesses with similar services.
  • The business undertakes significant research and development activity and has applied for intellectual property protection in the UK.
  • The business has a minimum annual revenue of £1 million in the last full year covered by its accounts.
  • The business is generating a minimum annual revenue of £500,000 in the last full year covered by its accounts, with at least £100,000 from exporting overseas.
  • The business has created the equivalent of at least 10 full-time jobs for resident workers.
  • The business has created the equivalent of at least 5 full-time jobs for resident workers, which have an average salary of at least £25,000 a year (gross pay, excluding any expenses).

How Can QC Immigration Help

If you would like to apply for your Innovator Visa with the confidence that all of your bases have been covered, work alongside the experienced QC Immigration team. Our award-winning firm has a long track record of helping clients successfully being granted their visa applications. We will help you submit a strong case that clearly outlines that you meet the necessary criteria to be an innovator. We can also provide recommendations for endorsing bodies that our clients have successfully secured endorsements from.

If you would like to learn more about how we can help you with an Innovator Visa application, please contact our team.

Have a questions?

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How we work

1
consultation.

We start a discussion by understanding your history, and we will clearly outline the best option available and any recommendations to save you time and costs.

2
instruction.

Once you instruct us to be your legal representative, we will start preparing your case. We may require more information about you to help you more effectively.

3
documents.

Documentation is a crucial part of an immigration application. We will customise a document list to guide your preparation. Your dedicated lawyer will check the documents and advise of any improvements needed.

4
application.

We will complete your application to the Home Office and may also write a cover letter with strong legal arguments where relevant. We may discuss this with you to confirm the final details.

5
submission.

We will submit your application to the Home Office, Court authorities securely. We will represent you as the main point of contact with them for any further requests.

6
interview.

You may sometimes be invited to attend a Home Office interview or Court hearing. While this may sound daunting, we will help you prepare and provide guidance on what questions to expect.

7
decision.

As soon as we receive a decision from the Home Office, we will get in touch with you to share the news.

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What clients say

We did multiple assignments with QC and were very happy with the fast response and results we achieved on our applications.

manish rungta
manish rungta
Google five star client rating

Qiyin was very quick to respond to my inquiries. She was very professional, supportive and helpful. Highly recommended!

Ainul Nadhirah Hanafiah
Ainul Nadhirah Hanafiah
Google five star client rating

Qiyin listened very attentively to my concerns and reassured me. Gave me a lot of insight into how I need to plan my application in a very personal way. Would definitely highly recommend.

Sashi Ganes
Sashi Ganes
Google five star client rating

Very professional team, who helped me gain EU Settled status pre-Brexit using a new Android app. It is refreshing to see that QC-immigration team adopts fast the technology and is on top of all changes in legislation. They got my full trust.

Victoria Rusnac
Victoria Rusnac
Google five star client rating

Hafsah made my application look so simple and easy even though i was doubtful about my case before approaching QC. I can’t believe my ILR application got approved by Home office within 24 hrs of biometric appointment. Thank you Hafsah for helping me get this done.

Shubha Shet
Shubha Shet
Google five star client rating

It was a pleasure working with Qiyin and her team. They were very helpful and responsive all the time. They helped me with my Permanent Residence which was succesful and was received in less than a month. I will work with them again in the future, so I strongly recommend this Immigration office to everyone.

Nasos Balasis
Nasos Balasis
Google five star client rating

Definitely the best law firm I've ever dealt with. Hafsah Awan is an amazing lawyer, she is extremely professional, she truly cares, and gives great advise to ensure all goes smoothly. My entire process with Hafsah went really well, and we successfully got our Start-up visas to the UK, many thanks to Hafsah for her great efforts. I also loved that they are very responsive, to emails, calls, etc. Qiyin Chuah, the founder, actually helped me in the last moment during her weekend, I was very thankful for that, as not many people would even get back to you during the weekend. Overall, an amazing law firm, I'm very pleased, and I truly wish Hafsah, Qiyin, and the rest of QC Immigration team all the best, God bless you all :)

Ahmad Agha
Ahmad Agha
Google five star client rating

I had an exploratory conversation with QC Immigration. Qiyin was professional and personable throughout our conversation, explaining clearly the current criteria and regulatory considerations to keep in mind. I would have no reservations in appointing them for representation should there ever be a need, as Qiyin provided from the outset, the calm assurance of having the knowledge, experience and an individual approach that I strongly value.

May Loke
May Loke
Google five star client rating

Very good service and professional company! I contact them trough a friend because I had problem with a Family Visa in Scotland, they helped me and advised in all the process and they solved what I needed to solve so quick. Specially Qiyin and Marianna. I would always come back to them again if I needed and also recommend them. As I said, very good and Professional.

Martin Nicolas Camaño Martin
Martin Nicolas Camaño Martin
Google five star client rating

Both my fiancé and I used QC Immigration this year for our new visa and naturalisation applications, respectively, and were very happy with the service. Our main point of contact was Marianna, who was very prompt and thorough in her preparation of our applications and helpful throughout every step of the process with our concerns, etc. Highly recommend QC Immigration. Thank you again, Marianna!

Sarah Monaco
Sarah Monaco
Google five star client rating

My friend had recommended QC Immigration and I was not disappointed! Marianna was my main point of contact and she was kind, prompt and very efficient. I had a lot of questions and Marianna was very quick in replying to me. I would definitely recommend QC Immigration.

Malulie Tongprasert
Malulie Tongprasert
Google five star client rating

They were extremely professional and thorough throughout the application process. I even shared my travel plans and they worked based on my timelines, which based on experience, most companies don't prioritise. Highly recommend working with them if you want to be stress free and want your application handled with care.

Shruthi Padmanabhan
Shruthi Padmanabhan
Google five star client rating

I have been using QC Immigration to help prepare for my partner's Proposed Civil Partnership Visa application. We have been dealing with Marianna since January, and have found her to be extremely professional, knowledgeable and personable. She has always responded to my queries and concerns, (however neurotic!) and she has paid great attention to detail. It has been an invaluable service, and should our application be successful in this instance, I will not hesitate to appoint QC Immigration again to assist with the next stages. Many thanks again for your hard work and for showing us such an understanding and caring attitude! :)

Bethany Taylor-James
Bethany Taylor-James
Google five star client rating

My partner and I recently used QC Immigration when applying for a UK partner visa. They were very professional throughout and dealt with all questions and queries accordingly. Marianna was our main point of contact and was extremely diligent and reassuring throughout the process. We appreciated their attention to detail and extensive knowledge of UK immigration law and would highly recommend them to any prospective clients.

Eliot Parker
Eliot Parker
Google five star client rating

FAQ

Do I have to be the sole founder of my business in order to qualify for an Innovator Visa?

You do not need to be the sole founder of your business in order to qualify for an Innovator Visa. You can apply alongside other Innovator Applicants to form an Innovator Team. Nevertheless, each applicant must be endorsed in their own right. Also, for new business applications, each applicant must prove that they each have �50,000 available in investment funds.

Can I switch to an Innovator Visa if I am in the UK on another visa?

You may be able to switch to an Innovator Visa if you meet the eligibility requirements and you are in the UK on another visa such as a Start-Up Visa. Note that any dependant will also need to apply to switch their status in line with your application.

How long can I stay in the UK on an Innovator Visa?

You can stay in the UK on an Innovator Visa for 3 years. You can apply to extend your visa for 3 more years if you apply before your initial visa expires. Notably, you may be eligible to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) once you have completed 3 years in the UK.

Can I bring my family members with me to the UK if I am on an Innovator Visa?

You can bring your family members (�dependants�) with you, namely your husband, wife or partner. You can also bring children under 18 as well as children over 18 if they are currently in the UK as dependants. Importantly, your family members must apply for a visa if they are from outside the EEA or Switzerland.Each dependant will need to show that they have a certain amount of money available to support themselves while they are in the UK � in addition to the minimum �1,270 required.

How long does it take to get a decision on an Innovator Visa?

A decision on an Innovator Visa is usually made within 8 weeks, subject to any latest changes to Home Office processing times. You can check the Home Office guide processing times to find out how long obtaining a visa might take in your country via the Home Office website. We may also explore any suitable Priority Service to expedite your application.

What happens if an endorsing body loses or withdraws its status?

If an endorsement has been withdrawn or the endorsing body loses its status, the Home Office will consider curtailing the leave of any innovators it had endorsed. They may do so with immediate effect, or to allow you to retain part of the remaining duration of their visa, or not to curtail your leave at all. If your leave is curtailed, you would need to secure a fresh endorsement from a new endorsing body.

How early can I apply for an Innovator Visa?

The earliest you can apply for an Innovator Visa is 3 months prior to travelling to the UK.

Will I be able to join or take over existing businesses?

You must establish a new and innovative UK business only. If you wish to join or take over an existing UK business, other visa categories are available such as:Sole Representative of an Overseas Business VisaInvestor VisaSkilled Worker VisaIntra Company Visa

Am I allowed to work elsewhere?

Innovators are restricted to working for their own businesses. There is, however, nothing to prevent you from establishing multiple UK businesses and working for them all.

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