Innovator Visa UK
The Innovator Visa route is for experienced businesspersons seeking to establish a business in the UK based on an innovative, viable and scalable business idea they have generated, or to which they have significantly contributed. The application must be supported by a Home Office authorised endorsing body. The endorsing bodies have their own criteria for the types of business enterprise they will and will not endorse.
You will normally be expected to have funds of at least £50,000 to invest in your business and you must have a key role in the day to day management and development of the business. You can form a team with other Innovator applicants but cannot share the same investment funds.
Innovator Visa & Dependents
An Innovator can bring their dependent partner and children to the UK on this route. Successful applicants are granted leave to remain in the UK for 3 years following initial applications. There is no restriction on the time spent in the category but you must be able to evidence further progress and achievements at each stage.
The Innovator Visa is a route to settlement / indefinite leave to remain (ILR) after a person has spent a continuous period of three years in the UK, subject to them meeting certain business performance requirements. Dependent partners and children can also be eligible for settlement in the UK.
Innovator Visa Requirements
The specifics of the Innovator Visa route are very difficult to navigate for those not familiar with the Immigration Rules. Essentially, it can be broken down into validity requirements, suitability requirements and eligibility requirements. The issue many people have is understanding these requirements which can lead to problems with applications. For example, an application that doesn’t meet the validity requirements is invalid and may be rejected and not considered by the Home Office. If there is any previous adverse immigration history or litigation or NHS debts on the applicant’s part, they may fall foul of the suitability requirements.
Innovator Visa Application Process
Many applications encounter difficulties in meeting the very detailed and complex eligibility requirements.
These include:
- the entry requirements;
- genuine innovator requirement;
- points requirements;
- business plan requirement; innovative, viable and scalable business requirements;
- investment funds requirements; and differing requirements in respect of new businesses and same businesses (those that have been previously endorsed whether on this or another visa route).
Issues that lead to refusal by the Home Office can arise at any time on the Innovator Visa route i.e. the entry clearance stage, at the time of permission to enter or permission to stay applications and also at the settlement stage. Therefore it is important to seek expert advice early in the process so that any potential issues can be identified and resolved promptly before they lead to a Home Office refusal.
We specialise in assisting and advising businesses and individuals in the UK and overseas on how to meet the Innovator Visa route requirements under the Points Based System. Whether you wish to obtain an Innovator Visa, extend your leave to remain on the Innovator Visa route or apply for settlement on the Innovator Visa route, our business immigration solicitors are on hand to provide clear and reliable immigration advice and help throughout the process.