The UK Innovator Founder Visa Replaced the Start-Up Visa in 2023
In April 2023, the UK Home Office consolidated the old Start-Up visa and the previous Innovator visa into a single route: the Innovator Founder visa. The key change vs the old system: no minimum investment threshold, but you must be endorsed by a Home Office-approved endorsing body.
The visa lasts 3 years, leads directly to indefinite leave to remain (ILR) after 3 years if your business is succeeding, and allows your dependents to join you. This is the most founder-friendly EU-adjacent visa in 2026.
After getting in, browse 10,000+ active investors via Round Funded to plan the next raise.
Who Qualifies for the Innovator Founder Visa
You qualify if you meet ALL of these:
- You're starting a new business in the UK (or recently started one within 3 years)
- The business idea is innovative, viable and scalable (judged by the endorsing body)
- You've been endorsed by an approved endorsing body
- You meet the English language requirement (B2 CEFR, ~IELTS 5.5)
- You have at least £1,270 in personal savings, held for 28 days
- You hold a senior role in the business
There is no longer a minimum investment threshold. The old £50,000 funding requirement was removed in April 2023.
The Endorsing Body Requirement
This is the critical step. You cannot apply directly. The Home Office approves a small list of endorsing bodies (mostly accelerators and incubators) that assess your business and provide an endorsement letter.
Currently approved endorsing bodies (2026)
| Endorsing body | Focus | Endorsement type |
|---|---|---|
| Envestors | All sectors, fintech focus | New business + ongoing |
| UK Endorsing Reviews (UKER) | All sectors | New business + ongoing |
| Innovator International | Tech, AI, deep tech | New business + ongoing |
| The Global Entrepreneurs Programme | Strategic tech, by invitation | New business |
Each charges £1,000 - £3,000 for the initial endorsement assessment. Endorsement is granted based on the innovation, viability and scalability of your business idea, not on funding raised.
Some UK accelerators also have endorsing-body status: see Round Funded for the full list.
Cost and Timeline
| Item | Cost (2026) |
|---|---|
| Endorsement fee (paid to endorsing body) | £1,000 - £3,000 |
| Visa application fee (outside UK) | £1,191 |
| Visa application fee (inside UK, switching) | £1,486 |
| Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) | £1,035/year × 3 years = £3,105 |
| Biometric fee | £19.20 |
| Priority processing (5 working days) | £500 (optional) |
| Super priority processing (1 working day) | £1,000 (optional) |
| Total typical cost (single applicant) | ~£5,800 - £8,000 |
| Total with spouse + 1 child | ~£11,500 - £14,500 |
Standard processing: 3 weeks outside the UK, 8 weeks inside the UK.
Where Round Funded Fits
You don't need investor funding to apply for the Innovator Founder visa, but you do need real evidence the business is viable. Round Funded helps with both before and after the visa is granted.
| Goal | Round Funded surface |
|---|---|
| Show traction during endorsement assessment | Demo a working investor outreach pipeline in Round Funded |
| Raise from UK angels and VCs after the visa | Round Funded - active UK investors |
| Find the right endorsing body / UK accelerator | Round Funded |
| Plan post-visa US expansion raise | Round Funded |
Browse active UK investors on Round Funded →
Step-by-Step: From Endorsement to Visa
Five steps. Typical timeline: 4 - 8 months end to end.
Step 1: Refine the business idea against the three criteria
The endorsing body assesses: innovation (different from what exists), viability (realistic path to revenue), scalability (can it grow beyond founder-led service). Have a deck, financial model, and at least early validation (waitlist, design partners, MVP). Use Round Funded for examples.
Step 2: Apply to an endorsing body
Pay the assessment fee (£1k - £3k). Submit your business plan and supporting evidence. Decision: 4 - 8 weeks. If endorsed, you receive an endorsement letter valid for 3 months.
Step 3: Apply for the visa
Submit your visa application within 3 months of the endorsement letter. Include: endorsement letter, financial evidence (£1,270 savings), English language proof, identity documents. Standard processing: 3 weeks outside UK.
Step 4: Move to the UK and operate the business
You can work for your endorsed business only. Side jobs unrelated to the business are not allowed. Spouse and kids can join as dependents and work freely.
Step 5: Apply for ILR after 3 years
Indefinite leave to remain after 3 years if the business meets at least 2 of: £50k revenue, 10 jobs created, customer base in 3+ countries, registered patents, growth in funding raised. Citizenship eligible 1 year after ILR.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to have raised funding before applying?
No. The Innovator Founder visa removed the funding threshold in April 2023. What matters is the endorsing body's assessment of innovation, viability and scalability. You can use Round Funded post-visa to raise.
Can I bring my family on this visa?
Yes. Spouse / partner and children under 18 can apply as dependents. Each pays the same visa fee + IHS. Spouse can work, study, and even start their own business.
What happens if my business fails during the 3 years?
Your endorsing body must re-endorse you at 12 and 24 months. If the business pivots significantly, the endorsement can be transferred to the new business, but if you close the company without continuing the visa-purpose work, the visa is curtailed and you have 60 days to leave.
Can I switch to the Innovator Founder visa from another UK visa?
Yes. You can switch from Student, Skilled Worker, Graduate, or other valid visa categories. Switching from inside the UK costs £1,486 (vs £1,191 from outside).
Does the visa lead to permanent residency and citizenship?
Yes. After 3 years on the Innovator Founder visa, you can apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain. After 1 more year of ILR (4 years total in the UK), you can apply for British citizenship.
Do I need a UK co-founder?
No. The visa is single-founder friendly. The business does need to be UK-incorporated by the time you apply.
Which endorsing body should I pick?
For most tech founders: UK Endorsing Reviews (UKER) is the highest-volume and most experienced. For fintech: Envestors. For deep tech / AI / climate: Innovator International. Pick based on sector fit and their endorsement pass rate (UKER averages 70%+ for well-prepared applications).
Final Word
The Innovator Founder visa is the closest thing to a real "founder visa" among major economies in 2026. No funding minimum, 3 years initially, direct path to citizenship in 4. The hard part is the endorsing body assessment, which is a real review, not a rubber stamp.
Plan your UK raise with active UK investors on Round Funded →
From endorsement to first UK round. Find your UK investors on Round Funded.
