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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.
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We did multiple assignments with QC and were very happy with the fast response and results we achieved on our applications.
Qiyin was very quick to respond to my inquiries. She was very professional, supportive and helpful. Highly recommended!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 :)
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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! :)
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.
FAQ
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.
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.
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.
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.
The earliest you can apply for an Innovator Visa is 3 months prior to travelling to the UK.
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.
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.
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.
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
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