UK Innovator Founder Visa
UK Innovator Founder Visa Endorsement and Eligibility
The Innovator Founder visa is the United Kingdom's route for entrepreneurs establishing an innovative business. It replaced the earlier Innovator visa in April 2023. This page sets out how endorsement works and what the route requires.
Business Assessment
Endorsement Guidance
Documentation Support
How It Works
How the Route
How the Route
Operates
The Innovator Founder route is endorsement-led rather than investment-led, which is the principal change from the visa it replaced.
Endorsing Body
An approved endorsing body must assess and endorse your business idea before any visa application can be made.
Three Tests
The business must be assessed as innovative, viable and scalable. All three must be satisfied, not merely the first.
No Set Investment Sum
The route removed the fixed minimum investment requirement that applied under the earlier Innovator visa.
Contact Points
Endorsed founders meet their endorsing body at defined intervals to demonstrate continued progress against the business plan.
Outside Employment
Founders may undertake skilled employment outside the business, which was not permitted under the previous route.
Settlement Pathway
The route carries a pathway to settlement, subject to meeting the applicable conditions and continued endorsement.
Eligibility
Eligibility
Eligibility
Requirements
Four requirements must be satisfied. The first is the substantive hurdle and the others follow standard UK immigration criteria.
The Business Idea
New, innovative and differentiated from what is already in the market, with a credible and documented business plan.
Endorsement
Assessment and endorsement by an approved endorsing body, which must be obtained before the visa application.
English Language
Evidenced at the level required for this route, through an approved test, a qualifying degree or nationality.
Maintenance Funds
Personal funds held for the required period, unless an exemption applies to your circumstances.
Our Process
How the Process
How the Process
Runs
Endorsement governs everything. Without it there is no application, and endorsing bodies assess a small proportion of what they receive.
01
Concept Review
Assess the business idea honestly against the three tests.
02
Plan Development
Support the documentation the endorsing body will expect.
03
Endorsement
Approach an approved endorsing body for assessment.
04
Visa Application
Prepare the application once endorsement is secured.
05
Decision
The outcome rests with the Home Office.
Why Meeras Resource
Endorsement Is the
Endorsement Is the
Real Assessment,
Not the Visa
Endorsing bodies reject most of what they see, because the innovative and scalable tests are applied seriously and few business plans meet them. A candid review of the concept before approaching an endorsing body saves time and fees. Where the idea does not meet the standard, we will say so, and where a different route fits better we will point to it.
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Business Assessment
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Plan Review
✓
Endorsement Guidance
✓
Documentation Support
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Application Guidance
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Transparent Process
Client Stories
Real Journeys. Real Experiences.
Hear from clients about their experience working with Meeras Resource and what the process involved.
Featured Experience
★★★★★
“I had a great experience with Meeras Resource for my Germany process, with clear communication and professional support throughout. Their profile marketing approach presented my profile effectively to potential employers. I truly appreciate their dedication and support, and highly recommend Meeras Resource for international career opportunities.”
SS
Sapna Sharma
★★★★★
“Meeras Resource made my Armenia employment process smooth, transparent, and stress-free. The team was professional, supportive, and always kept me updated throughout the journey. I highly recommend them to anyone looking for a trustworthy consultancy for overseas employment.”
KS
Krishna Sharma
★★★★★
“Meeras Resource guided me at every step of my Canada process. Their professional, transparent and supportive team made the documentation straightforward and kept the whole journey stress-free. I would recommend their services to anyone exploring opportunities overseas.”
MK
Manish Kumar
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Verified client experiences
✓
Transparent guidance
✓
Client-focused support
Start Your Journey
Assess Your
Assess Your
Business Concept
Share your business idea, your background and your intended market. We will assess the concept against the innovative, viable and scalable tests and set out what an endorsing body will expect to see.
Request an Assessment →
Frequently Asked Questions
Questions About the Innovator Founder Visa?
Answers on endorsement, investment, the three tests, outside work and settlement.
The Innovator visa closed to new applicants and was replaced by the Innovator Founder visa in April 2023. The replacement route removed the fixed minimum investment requirement and permits founders to undertake skilled employment outside their business, which the earlier route did not.
An endorsing body is an organisation approved by the Home Office to assess business ideas for this route. Endorsement must be obtained before a visa application can be made, and the endorsing body continues to engage with the founder at defined intervals after the visa is granted.
The route does not set a fixed minimum investment sum, unlike the Innovator visa it replaced. The endorsing body will nonetheless expect the business plan to demonstrate that the venture is properly funded and viable, so capital requirements are assessed against the plan rather than a published figure.
Innovative means the business is original and differentiated from what already exists in the market. Viable means the founder has the necessary skills and the plan is realistic. Scalable means there is evidence of structured planning and potential for growth and job creation. All three are assessed.
Founders on this route may undertake skilled employment outside their own business, which was not permitted under the earlier Innovator visa. This makes the route materially more practical for founders whose business will not generate income immediately.
The route carries a pathway to settlement, subject to meeting the applicable conditions including continued endorsement and the business meeting the required criteria. The specific requirements should be confirmed against current Home Office guidance before relying on any timeline.
A partner and dependent children may generally apply as dependants, with work rights available subject to the applicable conditions. Maintenance funds requirements apply to dependants in addition to the main applicant.
We provide an honest assessment of the business concept against the endorsement criteria, support with the documentation an endorsing body expects, and general information on the process. We do not endorse businesses and we do not provide legal advice. Where legal representation is required, candidates should consult an appropriately regulated adviser.