UK INNOVATOR AND START-UP VISA
The Start-up and Innovator visa categories are for non-EEA nationals wishing to set up a business in the UK.
To qualify for a visa in either category, applicants must first obtain an endorsement from an approved endorsing body.
These include leading business organisations and higher education institutions.
Start-up
The Start-up category is for early-stage but high potential entrepreneurs who are starting a business in the UK for the first time.
Applicants do not need any funds to invest in their business at this stage.
It offers a one-off, 2-year visa, during which applicants will spend the majority of their time developing their businesses but can also take on other work outside of their businesses, to support themselves.
Successful applicants can bring their family members (spouses/partners and children under 18) to the UK. At the end of 2 years, they can switch into the Innovator category (see below) to extend their stay and develop their businesses in the UK
Innovator
The Innovator category is for more experienced business people seeking to establish a business in the UK.
Applicants will usually need a minimum £50,000 funding available to invest in their business (This does not have to come from their endorsing body, although some endorsing bodies may choose to offer this funding).
Innovators must work entirely on developing their business ventures and may not take on other employment outside their business. This includes anything which effectively amounts to employment, such as using their own business to hire out their
labour to another employer.
Successful Innovators are granted leave for 3 years at a time and can bring their family members to the UK. After 3 years, Innovators can apply to extend their stay for a further 3 years or to settle permanently in the UK. Each of these 3 stages (initial application, extension, settlement) requires endorsement from an endorsing
body.
For further information on different aspects of visa, please call us or complete the information request form
The Start-up and Innovator visa categories are for non-EEA nationals wishing to set up a business in the UK.
To qualify for a visa in either category, applicants must first obtain an endorsement from an approved endorsing body.
These include leading business organisations and higher education institutions.
Start-up
The Start-up category is for early-stage but high potential entrepreneurs who are starting a business in the UK for the first time.
Applicants do not need any funds to invest in their business at this stage.
It offers a one-off, 2-year visa, during which applicants will spend the majority of their time developing their businesses but can also take on other work outside of their businesses, to support themselves.
Successful applicants can bring their family members (spouses/partners and children under 18) to the UK. At the end of 2 years, they can switch into the Innovator category (see below) to extend their stay and develop their businesses in the UK
Innovator
The Innovator category is for more experienced business people seeking to establish a business in the UK.
Applicants will usually need a minimum £50,000 funding available to invest in their business (This does not have to come from their endorsing body, although some endorsing bodies may choose to offer this funding).
Innovators must work entirely on developing their business ventures and may not take on other employment outside their business. This includes anything which effectively amounts to employment, such as using their own business to hire out their
labour to another employer.
Successful Innovators are granted leave for 3 years at a time and can bring their family members to the UK. After 3 years, Innovators can apply to extend their stay for a further 3 years or to settle permanently in the UK. Each of these 3 stages (initial application, extension, settlement) requires endorsement from an endorsing
body.
For further information on different aspects of visa, please call us or complete the information request form
