Innovator Founder visa

Innovator Founder is the UK’s start-up route: it is for people who will build a business in the UK, not simply invest in one. (The passive Investor route closed in 2022, and the old Start-up route closed in 2023 — this is now the main founder pathway.)

Endorsement

A Home Office-approved endorsing body must assess your business plan as innovative, viable and scalable — a genuinely new idea with a credible route to growth, not a standard restaurant, agency or import business. There is no fixed minimum investment, but you must show funding consistent with the plan. After endorsement you keep in touch with the body at checkpoint meetings during the visa.

Running the business — and settlement

You must have a day-to-day role in the business. You may also take separate skilled employment alongside it, which softens the early-stage income risk. The route can lead to settlement after just three years if the business hits defined success criteria (revenue, jobs created, investment raised and similar measures); otherwise you extend and continue. Dependants can join you.

How it compares with neighbouring routes Where the strength of a case is a personal

track record rather than one specific venture, Global Talent endorses the person and leaves them free to pivot. Where an employer is willing to sponsor, Skilled Worker involves no endorsement stage. Innovator Founder turns on a well-evidenced plan — the endorsement interview is the real test.