Innovator Founder visa in the UK
The Tier 1 Entrepreneur visa was replaced by the UK Innovator and Start up visas in April 2019 and subsequently by Innovator Founder visa in April 2023. The Innovator Founder visa is designed for ambitious entrepreneurs with startups and seasoned business professionals who want to build their innovative businesses in the United Kingdom.
This option, unlike standard investment visas, does not require a specified financing requirement. Applicants must showcase a business plan that is new, innovative, viable, and scalable.
Critical component
Application consists of submitting a properly written business plan, which must be approved by a recognised approving body.
UK VISA
The Innovator Founder visa is for individuals who have significantly contributed to their business idea and intend to play a key role in its management.
Valid for three years
It leads to indefinite leave to remain in the UK, and applicants can bring their partner as well as children
UK Innovator Founder Visa Requirements
Keep in mind that there are several standards that the Innovator Founder visa candidate has to meet to be eligible for their application to be accepted. These requirements include having a viable and innovative business idea that has the potential for growth and success. Additionally, the candidate must demonstrate their ability to secure sufficient funding to support their business venture and contribute to the UK economy. Also, the applicant must be at least 18 years old. Let us consider the requirements in depth.
Financial Requirements
Candidates must have a minimum of £945 in their account for 90 consecutive days prior to applying for the Innovator Founder visa. These criteria cannot be met by investment funds or money gained through illicit work in the UK.
Business Proposal
The applicant’s business proposal must match the following criteria:
Viability. The candidate has to demonstrate that they have the requisite abilities, expertise, and market awareness to manage the business successfully.
Scalability. The candidate must demonstrate the potential for employment creation and development. This can be shown through their ability to generate new job opportunities and contribute to the growth of industries.
Innovation. The candidate must be able to prove that they have a real and unique business strategy that will benefit the British economy and workforce by meeting a new or current market demand.
An Approved Endorsement Letter for the UK Visa Application
You have an endorsement letter from an approved UK endorsing body. This endorsement letter serves as proof that you have been recognised and supported by a reputable UK endorsing body, which significantly enhances the applicant’s credibility and chances of success in various endeavours. With this endorsement, you have a valuable asset that can open doors to employment opportunities, educational programmes, or even immigration processes. Let us consider examples of what the endorsement letter has to confirm:
The endorsing body is unconcerned with the source of any cash invested in the applicant’s company.
The candidate has a business strategy, and he either created or contributed significantly to the concepts in it.
At regular intervals, the applicant will have at least two Contact point meetings with the endorsing body.
The applicant must have a creative, viable, and scalable company endeavour.
Candidates are qualified to obtain endorsements through the UK Innovator Founder route.
The endorsing body has no cause to suspect that the candidate and their company are the recipients of illegitimate or unexplained funds.
The applicant will be responsible for carrying out the business plan on a daily basis
The candidate is the only founder or a key member of the founding team.
English Language Requirements for the
Innovator Founder Visa in the UK
One of the most important things about the UK Innovator Founder visa is the excellent English level. Any application for an Innovator Founder visa requires applicants to show that they have a B2 level of English as defined by the CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages).
Keep in mind that the majority of native English-speaking nations residents will be excused from this criterion. Let us consider in which cases the UK Innovator Founder visa applicant does not need to fulfil any English language requirements:
If the applicant is a holder of a CEFR B2 certificate in the areas of writing, speaking, reading, and listening.
If the applicant has already obtained a degree or any higher qualification in English that is recognised by the UK NARIC..
Furthermore, nationals of the countries (sorted by continents) that follow will not be obliged to meet this requirement:
Australia and Oceania (Australia, New Zealand)
North America (Antigua and Barbuda, the Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Canada, Dominica, Grenada, Jamaica, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, USA)
South America (Guyana, Trinidad and Tobago)
But to be eligible for the Innovator Founder visa, all other candidates must pass a B2 English language test in all four areas of English from an approved test organisation.
Navigating the Innovator Founder Visa UK Key Document Requirements
The precise papers that must be included in the Innovator Founder visa
application are determined by your individual circumstances.
Nonetheless, the following papers must always be included in your evidence
portfolio:
A valid passport or other form of travel identification is required.
Endorsement letter from an accredited Endorsing Body.
Business plan approved by the endorsing body.
Your TB (tuberculosis) test results if you live in a country where the test is required.
Bank statements confirming that you have no less than £945 in savings in your bank account for a period of 90 days prior to applying.
Evidence of availability of investment funds.
Proof of passing the B2 English language test if it is applicable.
Also, documents that are not in English or Welsh have to be translated by a certified translator. It is critical that you include all required papers in your application and that they meet the high Home Office criteria. If you do not do so, you will be automatically rejected.
Our highly skilled immigration lawyers on our platform can assist you in compiling all important papers.For further information, please contact us.
A Quick Overview of the Application Process and Benefits of the Innovator Founder Visa UK
Once you have gathered all the necessary papers and received endorsement from an authorised body, you may fill out the Innovator Founder visa application form. Also, you will be required to provide fingerprints and a photograph. The Innovator Founder visa can be applied for three months before your intended trip to the UK.
After completing your application for the UK Innovator Founder visa from abroad, you should expect a response from the Home Office within few months and there may also be a need for an interview. Applications from within the United Kingdom might take up to eight weeks to process. In addition, dependant applications will be handled in eight weeks.
If the Home Office has any reservations about your application, it may take longer to complete. For example, you may be required to provide additional documents and information.
After submitting the application, you will be requested to schedule a meeting at a UK visa and Citizenship Application Services branch to submit your photo and fingerprints.
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