- Page Contents
- Overview
- Eligibility Requirements
- Priority or Super Priority Service
- Period and Conditions of Grant
- Our Fixed Fees
- Service Options
- Remote Legal Services
- Why Choose Us
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
You can apply for extension of Innovator visa if you do not meet the requirements for grant of ILR as an innovator migrant. As a result of successful application for renewal of Innovator visa, the applicant will be granted further leave to remain for 3 years period as an innvator migrant. Any time during the validity of such further leave to remain granted as a result of extension application, the applicant can apply for ILR as an Innovator Migrant if he/she duly satisfies all the requirements for the grant of ILR as an Innovator Migrant. You will need to apply and obtain an endorsement letter from the relevant endorsement body for you to be able to apply for extension/renewal of your Innovator visa. An application for extension of Innovator visa can be submitted to the Home Office UKVI through Priority or Super Priority Service for faster decision on the application.
Ask a question to our specialist team of immigration solicitors for free immigration advice online or book an appointment online for detailed immigration advice with our specialist immigration solicitors concering your UK visa and immigration matter.
Our specialist team of work visa solicitors can provide expert immigration advice and legal representations on fixed fee basis concerning your application for extension of Innovator visa.
What Are The Eligibility Requirements For Extension Of Innovator Visa?
The applicant should meet the following requirements of the immigration rules for grant of further extension for 3 years as an Innovator migrant:
Valid Application
The applicant must submit a valid application from inside the UK for switching into Innovator visa.
Endorsement Letter Requirement
The applicant must have been issued with an endorsement letter by an endorsing body no more than 3 months before the date of application and that endorsement must not have been withdrawn. The endorsement letter must confirm that:
- the applicant has either generated, or made a significant contribution to, the ideas in their business plan; and
- the applicant will have a day-to-day role in carrying out the business plan,
- the applicant is either the sole founder or an instrumental member of the founding team.
Applicant's Age Requirement
The applicant must be aged 18 or over on the date of application.
Suitability Requirement
The applicant must not fall for refusal under Part 9: grounds for refusal.
Genuineness Requirement
The applicant must be a genuine Innovator applicant.
Points Requirement For The Innovator Route
The applicant must be awarded 70 points from the table below. The extension applications will be mostly done on the basis of the same business.
| Requirement based on same business | Points Available |
| Applicant’s previous permission was as in the Start-up or Tier 1 (Graduate Entrepreneur) route and they are pursuing a business assessed by a Home Office approved endorsing body either for the previous endorsement or at a contact point. | 10 |
| Business is active, trading and sustainable and demonstrates significant achievements against the business plan | 20 |
| Applicant is active in day-to-day management and development of business | 20 |
| English Language requirement at level B2 | 10 |
| Financial requirement | 10 |
Day To Day Management Requirement
If applying on the basis of same business, the applicant must be involved in the day to day management and development of their business and provide a letter confirming this from an endorsing body.
Business previously assessed by an endorsing body requirement
Where the applicant is applying on the basis of same business, the applicant must be supported by an endorsing body which confirms that they are endorsing the application on the basis of a business they or another endorsing body have previously assessed while the applicant had permission on the Innovator visa.
Business is active, trading and sustainable requirement for an Innovator
If applying on the basis of same business, the applicant’s business must be active, trading and sustainable and the applicant must have made significant progress against their business plan. The applicant’s business must be registered with Companies House and the applicant must be listed as a director or member of that business.
The applicant must be supported by an endorsing body which has assessed the applicant’s business and confirmed that it meets the requirements set out in INN10.1. and INN 10.2 of Appendix Innovator of the Immigration Rules.
English Language Requirement
The applicant must show English language ability on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages in all 4 components (reading, writing, speaking and listening) of at least level B2. The applicant must show they meet the English language requirement as specified in Appendix English Language.
Financial Requirement
If the applicant is applying for permission to stay and has been in the UK with permission for 12 months or longer on the date of application, they will meet the financial requirement and do not need to show funds.
An applicant who is applying for extension of stay and has been in the UK for less than 12 months at the date of application, must have funds of at least £1,270. The applicant must show that they have held the required level of funds for a 28- day period and as set out in Appendix Finance.
Not In Breach Of Immigration Laws
If applying for permission to stay the applicant must not be:
- in breach of immigration laws, except that where paragraph 39E applies, that period of overstaying will be disregarded; or
- on immigration bail.
Priority or Super Priority Service For Faster Decision
Period and Conditions Of Grant
The applicant will be granted permission for a maximum period of 3 years.
The grant will be subject to the following conditions:
- no access to public funds; and
- no work, other than working for the business(es) the applicant has established and
- study is permitted, subject to the ATAS condition in Appendix ATAS; and
- if Part 10 applies the applicant will be required to register with the police.
Working for the business(es) does not include any apprenticeship or any work pursuant to a contract of service, whether express or implied and whether oral or written, with another business, (which means successful applicants cannot fill a position or hire their labour to another business, even if the work is undertaken through contracting with the applicant’s own business or through a recruitment or employment agency).