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International foundersBuilding a business in the UK from overseas.
No UK visa gives residency for investment alone any more. Founders come through the Innovator Founder visa, which turns on one thing: a business plan an endorsing body will back.
The Innovator Founder visa, from the business side.
To qualify, your business must be new, innovative, viable and scalable, and an approved endorsing body must agree that it is. That decision rests on your business plan, and that's where we come in.
We advise on the business. The visa application itself is handled by a regulated immigration adviser or solicitor, and we work alongside the one you choose.
- Test your idea against the four tests (new, innovative, viable, scalable) before you spend money on an application.
- Write the business plan and forecasts the endorsing body will assess.
- Prepare you for the endorsing body's questions and interview.
- Set up your UK company once you are endorsed.
- Keep the business on track for the 12- and 24-month progress meetings.
- The business
- New, innovative, viable and scalable. You can't join a business that is already trading.
- Endorsement
- Required from an approved endorsing body before you apply.
- Investment
- No fixed minimum. You show the endorsing body you have enough funding and where it comes from.
- English
- B2 level.
- Savings
- At least £1,270 held for 28 days in a row.
- Length
- 3 years, and you can extend. You may be able to settle after 3 years.
- Check-ins
- Progress meetings with your endorsing body after 12 and 24 months.
- Visa fee
- £1,357 from outside the UK. £1,693 to switch or extend inside the UK.
- Other costs
- £1,000 for endorsement, £500 for each progress meeting, and a healthcare surcharge of £1,035 a year.
- Decision
- Usually 3 weeks from outside the UK, 8 weeks from inside.
- Family
- Your partner and children can apply to come with you.
Checked October 2026. Fees and rules change, so confirm them on GOV.UK before you apply.
- Global Talent
- For recognised or emerging leaders in fields such as digital technology, science and the arts.
- Expansion Worker
- For an overseas business sending someone to set up its first UK branch or subsidiary.
- Skilled Worker
- For founders employed by their own UK company, once that company holds a sponsor licence.
A regulated adviser will tell you which route fits your situation.
Planning your move to the UK?
Start with a complimentary 20-minute initial consultation. We will test your idea against what endorsing bodies look for and tell you honestly where it stands.