UK Innovator Visa

What is Innovator Visa?

The UK Innovator Visa is a new immigration route that has been established, along with the start-up visa. It has the major aim to encourage skilled foreign citizens from around the world to come to the UK and start their interesting business ideas, which could drive the UK industries and economy into innovation. It is very important to prove that your business is scalable, viable, and innovative to the Home Office and an endorsing body. In the majority of the cases, you will need to have at least £50,000 to invest in your business idea. However, certain exceptions might apply. An Innovator Visa is valid for 3 years and can help you apply for indefinite leave to stay in the UK at the end of the visa period. The visa applicants can also bring their partner and any minor under the age of 18 to the UK.  

Affordable Pricing

High Success Rate

Free Initial Consultation

No Hidden Charges

Eligibility Criteria for the Innovator Visa

If you want to start a new business under the new UK Innovator Visa route, you must satisfy the following criteria:  

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How Long Can I Use a UK Innovator Visa?

A UK Innovator Visa has a validity of three years. This time could be used to establish your innovative business in the UK and also bring your family to the country. However, this immigration route wont automatically lead to Indefinite Leave to Remain. If a visa holder wants to gain the status of settled or citizenship, it is important to look for an extension of the visa. This would again need a business endorsement, which is granted only after the assessment of the growth of the business. If you are given the endorsement, you might again Indefinite Leave to Remain or even citizenship in the UK. However, it is always better to take advice from an immigration expert like Osbourne Pinner to understand the complexities of the requirements of this Visa route.  

What is the Difference Between UK Start-up Visa and Innovator Visa?

The Start-up visa is more suitable for the less experienced entrepreneurs who want to start a new business in the UK. In comparison, the UK Innovator visa is suitable for more experienced businesspersons. The following are more differences between the two visa routes;  

START-UP VISA INNOVATOR VISA
The applicants don't need to have access to funds for investing in their business.
The applicants must have access to at least £50,000 for investing in their business.
The applicants must not have a previous business set in the UK.
The applicants can have a previous business set in the UK.
The successful visa holders can live in the UK for 2 years.
The successful visa holders can live in the UK for 3 years.
The visa holders can bring their family members.
The visa holders can bring their family members.
It is possible for them to undertake work outside their business.
They cannot undertake any work outside of our business.
This Visa route cannot be extended. They have to switch to another visa.
This visa route can be extended. However, an endorsement will be required.

Give Us a Call Today to Start Your Innovator Visa Application!

Osbourne Pinner can help you meet the demands of the Home Office and endorsement body. We work with our clients with great dedication to developing high-quality business plans.  

Endorsement Criteria for the UK Innovator Visa

If you want your business to get endorsed by an approved endorsing body, you will need to satisfy the following criteria:  

Innovation

You must have a genuine, unique business plan that matches the requirements of the new and existing market. It could also create a competitive advantage in the market.

Viability

You should have the required skills, experience, knowledge, and market knowledge to successfully sustain your business.

Scalability

Your business idea proves structured planning and job creation potential in the country and contributes to the British economy and international markets.

It is important to satisfy the endorsing body that you will be spending your time developing your business venture in the UK. You will need to show the significant achievements that you have earned after your previous assessment.  

How Long it Takes to Apply for an Innovator Visa?

It takes around 3 weeks to process a decision for an Innovator Visa application. However, the preparation process for this visa route might take longer because you have to get your business plan endorsed first. The Innovator Visa is given for 3 years and can be extended for 3 years again.   

Extending Your Innovator Visa

It is possible to extend your visa if you are still working with an endorsed business in the UK or wish to establish a new one. In both cases, as an applicant, you will need to get an endorsement letter from an approved endorsement body and have minimum funds of £50,000 if you are planning to start a new business. These are the additional criteria to extend your innovator visa;  

It is mandatory to include all the dependants in your application for the UK Innovator Visa extension. This will include children that have turned 18 during the initial stay. You can extend the Innovator Visa for three years an infinite number of times.  

Joining an Existing Business

If you are planning to join an existing business in the UK, then the Innovator Visa is not a suitable category for UK business immigration. However, a new business, which is a part of a joint venture may be acceptable. If you want to apply for an Innovator Visa on the basis of a joint venture agreement, then it is highly recommended to talk to our immigration experts.  

Applying for an Innovator Visa as a Part of a Team

It is not necessary to be the only founder of your business for the Innovator Visa. You can also be a member of an innovator team. However, each visa applicant must get their own endorsement from an approved endorsement body.  

This team of innovators must have access to investment funds to receive a business endorsement. However, they cannot share the same funding of £50,000. Instead, they must have at least £50,000 investment funds each.  

Application Fee for the Innovator Visa

The current fee for the UK Innovator Visa is £1,021 if applying from outside the United Kingdom or £1,277 if you are switching from another visa category in the UK.  

Applying for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR)

It is possible for businesspersons to apply for ILR in 3 years after entering the country under the Innovator route. However, it is mandatory to provide an endorsement letter to give assurance that your business has been active since the previous endorsement and you have been invested in your business and will continue your efforts even in the distant future.  

Stages of Getting an Innovator Visa

  • Contacting Us

    You give us a call at 02039835080 or write us an email at [email protected] to get complete immigration advice from our UK business immigration experts. They will help you to clarify your doubts and carry you smoothly through the entire process.

  • Assessment of Your Business and Application

    After the initial visit to our solicitors, we will start an assessment of your application with the help of a dedicated team that will let you about all the potential and risks. If we determine that your application has some potential, we will move forward to the next stage.

  • Feedback About Your Business Plan

    To improve your chances of getting endorsed by a recognised endorsing body, we will work dedicatedly to meet the strict criteria of the Home Office and endorsing body.

  • Submitting the Application for an Endorsement

    Once we determine the most suitable endorsement body for your business plan, we will send an application to receive an endorsement. This will be a challenging process since it will consider your business plan's unique characteristics and potential. We will work hard to highlight the selling point of your business idea.

  • Obtaining the Endorsement

    By satisfying the criteria of the endorsement body, we will receive an endorsement, which is required in the next step to acquire the UK innovator visa. If your application fails to get the endorsement, we will help you understand the shortcomings of your application and discover an alternative endorsement body or reapply. Our immigration expert will finely tune your application.

  • Applying for the Visa

    Once you have successfully obtained an endorsement for your business, we will send your entire application. 

  • Receiving a Decision

    If everything goes according to the plan, you will be given an Innovator Visa to enter the country and establish your innovative business.

Innovator Visa FAQs

Why Work with Immigration Expert for Your Visa?

 The UK immigration laws have become stricter after the COVID-19 pandemic. Even the potential business innovators with a strong business plan are facing immigration problems while entering the country. Building a business plan, receiving an endorsement letter, and handling the application could be challenging for individuals who are new to UK immigration laws. A team of UK business immigration solicitors can always give you an edge to smoothly go through the visa application process. We provide personalised advice at every stage of the Innovator Visa. 

Why Osbourne Pinner

As a UK-based law firm, Osbourne Pinner has years of expertise in UK immigration law. Over the years, we have achieved a strong record in obtaining successful UK Innovator Visa applications. We have helped hundreds of visa applicants to acquire various UK visas and enter the country successfully. Our solicitors ensure that you receive endorsement from the right endorsement body and draft visa application for a successful UK Innovator Visa.  

We provide highly personalised services that are tailored to meet your unique requirements. You can call for a free initial consultation to explain the need for your preferred visa route. This helps us to understand the areas where you might need additional assistance for the visa process. As experienced solicitors, we know every component of the UK immigration law to provide you with an expert level of care and assistance like no one else.  

Testimonials

Edward Moore
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I asked to review my financial settlement. Within a matter of a short time, I got an appointment. My solicitor, was very professional and kind. She even offered me the chance to have a video conference if I was unable to go to the office. I felt comfortable and I was treated with respect. I felt confident in her capabilities. She was warm and put me at ease. The process was made very easy for me. Osbourne Pinner family law team was on top of my brief to them. Should I need a solicitor in the future, I will be very happy to go back. Thanks
Victoria Helena - Williams
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Osbourne Pinner’s family law team worked with me tirelessly to put my mind at rest throughout the divorce process. From the outset I felt reassured. I was kept up to date throughout the process. The quality, and detail of the guidance I received was realistic and allowed a high degree of trust to develop very quickly. Without hesitation, I would recommend Osbourne Pinner.Thank you to the whole family team for your professional support during this difficult time of my life.
Nikhil Parmar
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Very Professional and responsive I instructed Osbourne Pinner Solicitors for my UK Start Up visa. I was so pleased with the whole immigration team. Solicitor Ravi and Ardra dealt with my UK Start Up process. I was so pleased with the way they dealt with the whole process. Everything was so smooth. Both of them were so responsive throughout the whole process. Ms. Ardra updated me all the time. My Endorsement decision came in less than 3 weeks. Their in house business strategist was very supportive and helpful too. The way they provided me support during all the workshops with the business strategist and then preparing me for the endorsement body, it was like a hand holding thing for me. I am so grateful for all their support. It has been fortunate for me to find Osbourne Pinner. Thank you for all your support and help throughout the tricky process. I am so pleased to receive my successful start up visa endorsement with Osbourne Pinner. I can not wait to see the whole team after my visit to the UK with my family. I will highly recommend your services to Osbourne Pinner.
Peter Willoughby
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Osbourne Pinner, and in particular their family law team were recommended to me by a good friend and trustworthy source. I have found in my dealings with them that they go the extra ‘proverbial mile’ in trying to help. This is not something I have experienced before with any other of the big family law firms. I am very happy with the service and will now recommend to my family, friends and colleagues.
Robert C
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The team at Osbourne Pinner were absolutely fantastic and I would recommend them to anyone! Special thanks to the family team.
Getnet Zeriune
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Osbourne Pinner in London I could have ever dealt with. From how my case was handled, the communication, replying to my calls and explaining to me in detail about the law. Special thanks to Kanchan Gooransingh ’s my personal advisor in getting my spouse visa processed very quickly and professionally.If you are looking for a professional and exceptional value for money service then, look no further. The team at Osbourne Pinner are thorough, professional and pleasant to work with. I highly recommend you give them a call, give them a try and judge for yourself. 5 Star is an understatement. All the best to all especially, Kanchan Gooransingh. Many thanks for your assistance & brilliant service.
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Y. Ohun
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My experience with Osbourne Pinnerwas absolutely pleasant from step 1. I did an application for Tier 1 Entrepreneur for myself. Solicitor Sabina was always available and very helpful with every step of the whole process. I would absolutely recommend them to anyone that is trying to apply for Tier1.
Akuha
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