- Page Contents
- Overview
- What Is Innovator Visa?
- 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 switch into Innovator visa from inside the UK if you are in the UK with visa from which switching into Innovator visa is allowed by the Immigration Rules. An application for switching into Innovator visa is made in accordance with requirements of the Immigration Rules as set out in Appendix Innovator. You can apply for switching into Innovator visa through Priority or Super Priority Service to get faster decision on your 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 switching into Innovator visa from inside the UK. We can prepare and submit your application through Priority or Super Priority Service to get faster decision on your application.
What Is The Innovator Visa Category?
The innovator visa category is for more experienced businesspeople seeking to establish a business in the UK relying on investment funds of £50,000. Applicants will have an innovative, viable and scalable business idea which is supported by an endorsing body. With some exceptions, applicants will have funding of £50,000 to invest in their business.
It is important that before you apply for switching into Innovator visa, you have applied for and obtained the endorsement letter from the relevant endorsement body.
If your application for switching into innovator is successful, you will be granted leave to remain for a period of 3 years. Upon completion of 3 years residence in the UK as an innovator, you become eligible to apply for ILR. If you do not meet the eligibility criteria for ILR, you can apply for extension/renewal of your innovator visa.
What Are The Eligibility Requirements For Switching Into Innovator Visa?
The requirements to be satisfied for an application for switching into an innovator visa from inside the UK include the following:
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 depending on whether the applicant is applying on the basis of new business or same business.
Points Requirement: New Business
| Requirement based on new business | Points Available |
| Business plan | 10 |
| Business venture is innovative, viable and scalable. | 20 |
| £50,000 available funds to invest or having been invested | 20 |
| English Language requirement at level B2 | 10 |
| Financial requirement | 10 |
Points Requirements: 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 |
Business Plan Requirement For New Business
The applicant must have an endorsement letter from an endorsing body which confirms 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.
Innovative, Viable and Scalable Business Requirement
The applicant must have an innovative, viable and scalable business venture and they must meet all the following requirements:
- the applicant must have a genuine, original business plan that meets new or existing market needs and/or creates a competitive advantage; and
- the applicant’s business plan must be realistic and achievable based on the applicant’s available resources; and
- the applicant must have, or be actively developing, the necessary skills, knowledge, experience and market awareness to successfully run the business; and
- there must be evidence of structured planning and of potential for job creation and growth into national and international markets.
The applicant must be supported by an endorsing body for this route which confirms in their endorsement letter that they consider that the applicant meets the above requirements.
Investment Funds Requirement
The applicant must show that they have at least £50,000 of funds available to invest in their business by one of the following:
- providing confirmation from the endorsing body that it is providing the funds of at least £50,000; or
- providing confirmation from the endorsing body that it has verified the funds are available from other sources (which can include the applicant); or
- providing confirmation from the endorsing body that it has verified that at least £50,000 has already been invested in the applicant’s business; or
- providing evidence that the £50,000 of funds are available from another source.
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 Start-up route or Tier 1 (Graduate Entrepreneur).
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 switching into innovator visa 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).