Innovator Founder Visa Checklist

The applicant must be at least 18 years old to apply for the Innovator Founder visa.

The applicant must be an active founder of the business and play a key role in its day-to-day management and development.

Unless an exemption applies, meet B2 in reading, writing, speaking and listening. Evidence may be an eligible nationality, accepted UK qualification, English-taught degree with the required Ecctis assessment, accepted prior proof or an approved SELT; a new test is not required for everyone.

Unless an exemption under Appendix English Language applies; assess accepted existing evidence before requiring a new test.

INNF11.1-11.2; Appendix English Language

For entry clearance, or permission to stay after less than 12 months in the UK, hold at least £1,270 for 28 days under Appendix Finance. The exemption requires an in-country application after 12 months with permission. Personal maintenance cannot use business investment funds or illegal UK earnings.

Entry clearance, or an in-country application after less than 12 months in the UK with permission; the 12-month exemption applies only to permission-to-stay applications.

INNF12.1-12.3

The official government guidance confirms that applicants must hold at least £1,270 in personal savings for 28 consecutive days to meet the maintenance requirement, unless they have been in the UK for at least 12 months.

Applicants must have their business or business idea assessed and approved by a Home Office-approved endorsing body.

The new-business branch requires an original innovative, viable and scalable plan and a genuine founding role. The same-business branch instead requires qualifying previous permission, a previously assessed business that is active, trading and sustainable, progress against its plan and actual day-to-day involvement. Do not apply the new-business rule universally.

Use the actual new-business or qualifying same-business branch; new-business innovation criteria do not apply universally to same-business applications.

INNF5.1; INNF8.1-8.3; INNF9.1-10.1