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.
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If an endorsement has been withdrawn or the endorsing body loses its status, the Home Office will consider curtailing the leave of any innovators it had endorsed.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
QC Immigration can help Increase your chances of your UK visa application being accepted with the help of our experienced immigration lawyers.