Innovator Founder visa
A route to UK settlement in as little as three years by building your own innovative compa…
Record checked Oct 21, 2026 · official source confirmed 14 Nov, 06:01 UTC
Summary
UK visa for founders whose new, innovative, viable and scalable business is endorsed by an approved endorsing body; 3-year stay, unlimited 3-year extensions and possible settlement after 3 years.
Dream spread
A route to UK settlement in as little as three years by building your own innovative company.
Relocation reality check
No funding - costs instead: £1,357 visa fee (from abroad), £1,000 endorsement, £500 per check-in meeting (at least two) plus the immigration health surcharge; you must pass endorsement reviews at 12 and 24 months.
Your fit signals
The real program is below — the 0–100 scoring is a paid feature.
Full match score — Solo / Household
The 0–100 move-match score, quality score, and would-stay breakdown — with confidence and full reasoning — unlock on Solo and Household.
See Solo & Household plansReality engine
Four lenses on whether this move fits you — tap a panel to see the logic behind each signal.
Eligibility
Founders with a business idea endorsed by an approved body as new, innovative, viable and scalable; partner and children can come as dependants.
Costs & money
The amounts & terms on record from the official source. USD figures are estimates.
- Duration
- 36 months (about 3 years)
- Property purchase
- Not required
- Tax
- UK abolished the remittance-basis non-dom regime from April 2025, replaced by a 4-year foreign income and gains (FIG) regime for new arrivals - not verified in this sweep.
True cost to move
Upfront cash, reimbursements, and net position after approval — not headline incentive amounts.
- Flights & logistics$1,200
- Temporary housing (90 days)$2,400
- Deposit / first month rent$2,000
- Visa & consular fees$500
Application roadmap
A practical sequence — adjust for your consulate and timeline.
1. Confirm official eligibility
Read the primary government source.
2. Gather income & employment proof
Bank statements, contracts, or tax records.
3. Book consulate / immigration appointment
Slots vary by country and season.
4. Prepare health coverage
Meet minimum coverage rules before arrival.
Meet people before you go
We are still curating 🇬🇧 United Kingdom-specific communities. Meanwhile, these global boards answer relocation questions every day.
Communities being curated — start with r/expats meanwhile
- r/expats100k+ members
Life abroad, country comparisons, honest post-move retrospectives.
Source trail
Official links, the line we checked, and when we last checked it.
“You can stay for 3 years ... may be able to apply for settlement after 3 years; endorsement £1,000”
Primary official sourceLast checked Oct 21, 2026
Rule changes
CasaSedora last checked the official source on 14 Nov 2026. Changes appear here once two independent automated checks agree on them, or a person confirms them.
No rule changes recorded since monitoring began.
Our summaries point you to what moved — always confirm details on the official source.