Talent, skills & founders · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom
UK Innovator Founder Visa: Endorsement, Costs and Settlement in 3 Years
Start an innovative business in the UK — endorsement needed, no fixed minimum investment.
Who it’s for
Founders with an innovative, viable and scalable business idea who will run the business day to day.
Endorsement
From a Home Office-approved endorsing body (letter no older than 3 months)
Investment
No fixed minimum — the plan must be viable and fundable
English
B2
Settlement
Can apply after 3 years if milestones are met
Requirements
- Endorsement from an approved endorsing body
- English at B2
- £1,270 in personal savings held for 28 days (plus more for dependants)
- An innovative, viable and scalable business plan
Costs
- Home Office fee (about £1,357 from outside the UK)
- Endorsing body assessment (about £1,000) and check-point fees
- Immigration Health Surcharge (£1,035 a year per adult)
Timeline
Endorsement usually takes several weeks; the visa decision about 3 weeks from outside the UK.
How Skylite Visa helps
We assess and introduce a licensed adviser
Paid advice on this route must come from a licensed professional. We review your profile first, then introduce you to a licensed partner and stay with you through the process.
Questions
- Is the £50,000 investment rule still in force?
- No. It was removed when the route opened in 2023. You still need a credible, fundable plan.
Official source: GOV.UK — Innovator Founder visa · last checked 9 October 2026. Rules change — we re-confirm before you apply.
We don’t sell jobs, “work permits” or quota places — and nobody legitimately can.
A real work visa starts with a real employer. If you are recruited for work abroad, check the recruiter is licensed where you live. Be wary of anyone asking for large payments for a visa “guarantee”, a quota place, or turning a visit visa into a work visa.
Free profile check
Tell us about yourself and we’ll tell you honestly whether this route fits — before you pay anything.
We use your details only to answer your enquiry. Skylite Visa is not a government website, does not recruit for jobs abroad and never guarantees a visa.