UK Innovator Founder Visa

Innovator Founder Visa — from idea to UKVI-ready

Fast, structured support for endorsement documents and a clean UKVI submission.

Eligibility Endorsement Pack UKVI Submission
Book consultation Pricing Call 01733 795905

No-obligation call • clear checklist • next steps in 24–48h

Why Choose UKIV

Premium Innovator Founder casework — built for endorsement

We help you present a clear, credible case: strong business plan, evidence-led founder profile, and a submission-ready pack that stays consistent end-to-end.

Endorsement-ready structureInnovation, viability & scalability — positioned with proof.
Founder credibilityRoles, achievements and evidence aligned to your business story.
Document consistencyOne narrative across plan, pitch, finances and supporting docs.
Quality controlChecklists, final review and submission readiness before filing.
Book a consultation View pricing Call 01733 795905

*No-obligation consultation available. We’ll confirm route suitability and evidence requirements.

Our Process

A clear step-by-step journey to endorsement & UKVI submission

You’ll always know what’s next: what evidence is needed, what documents we’re building, and how your story is being positioned for Innovator Founder expectations.

1
Eligibility & strategy Profile review, route planning, and evidence gaps checklist.
2
Build the endorsement pack Business plan, market research, financials, pitch deck and founder narrative.
3
Final review & UKVI support Document order, form guidance, and submission readiness checks.
Included deliverables

Business plan • Pitch deck • Founder evidence • Document checklist • Cover letter structure

Book a consultation View pricing
CO-FOUNDER FRIENDLY

Building a startup with a co-founder?
Grow together in the UK.

The Innovator Founder route isn’t just for solo founders. If you’re building a business with a partner or founding team, you can still apply for endorsement — when your roles and story are aligned.

Multiple founders — clear roles & responsibilities

One vision backed by a shared growth strategy

Stronger credibility when each founder adds real value

Endorsement-ready structure built with UKIV

Book team consultation View pricing
Grab your partner. Build your case. We help you align roles, evidence and growth — so your co-founder story looks credible and endorsement-ready.

Fees

Transparent pricing for Innovator Founder visa support

Clear, upfront fees. No surprises. Choose the level of support that fits your stage.

Endorsement Admin & Preparation

For founders who already have a solid concept and want structured endorsement preparation support.

£3,000
Non-refundable admin fee
  • Eligibility screening & route strategy
  • Endorsement checklist & evidence mapping
  • Founder profile structure
  • Readiness review before submission
Book consultation Call 01733 795905
Most popular

End-to-End Service (Endorsement + UKVI)

Complete support from business plan drafting through endorsement and UKVI application guidance.

£12,000
End-to-end professional fees
  • Business plan, market research & competitor analysis
  • Financial narrative & scalability evidence
  • Founder profile drafting & document collation
  • UKVI checklist, form guidance & final review
Start now Call +44 1733 795 905
Note: Home Office fees, Immigration Health Surcharge, translations, and any third-party endorsement body fees are not included.

Eligibility

Do you qualify for the Innovator Founder route?

Endorsing bodies and UKVI focus on one thing: a credible founder with a business idea that is innovative, viable and scalable. Below is what you’ll typically need.

Core requirements

These are the key areas we assess in your eligibility call and evidence planning session.

✓ Innovation

Your idea is genuinely different (new product, service, or business model in the UK market).

✓ Viability

You can realistically deliver it — skills, team, plan, finances, and a workable timeline.

✓ Scalability

Clear growth potential: jobs, market expansion, and realistic scaling strategy.

✓ Founder credibility

Relevant background, achievements, traction, partnerships, or demonstrable capability.

Tip: Many refusals happen due to weak evidence, not weak ideas. A structured evidence pack is crucial.

Typical supporting evidence

We help you present evidence clearly and consistently across your endorsement and UKVI stages.

  • Business plan and executive summary
  • Market research, customer persona and competitor analysis
  • Pricing model, unit economics and revenue plan
  • Operations plan, delivery timeline and resourcing
  • Founder CV, portfolio, achievements and qualifications
  • Traction: pilots, users, LOIs, sales, partnerships (if available)
  • Financial assumptions and scalability narrative
Not sure where you stand?
Book an eligibility call and we’ll map your next steps.
Book consultation Call 01733 795905

FAQs

Innovator Founder visa — common questions

Clear, practical answers to the questions founders ask us most before starting the endorsement and visa process.

Do I need investment funds to apply? +
No fixed minimum investment is required. However, you must show your business is viable, properly costed, and realistically fundable based on your plan.
Can I switch from another UK visa? +
In many cases, yes. Switching depends on your current visa category and immigration history. We confirm this during your eligibility assessment.
What if my idea already exists in the UK? +
Your idea must be clearly differentiated. This could be through technology, delivery model, market focus, or scalability — not just being “another version” of an existing business.
How long does endorsement take? +
Timelines vary by endorsing body and readiness of your documents. Preparation quality significantly affects speed and outcome.
What happens if endorsement is refused? +
We review feedback, assess whether revisions are viable, and advise on next steps or alternative routes where appropriate.
Does UKIV guarantee approval? +
No adviser can guarantee an endorsement or visa decision. Our role is to maximise credibility, compliance, and presentation to reduce risk.
Still have questions?
Speak to an adviser and get tailored guidance for your situation.
Book consultation Call 01733 795905

Timeline

Roadmap: Month 0 → Endorsement → UKVI → Settlement pathway

Timelines vary by readiness and endorsing body. This roadmap shows a typical structure so you know what happens, when, and what you should prepare at each stage.

Month 0 Eligibility

Eligibility & strategy

We assess your idea against innovation, viability and scalability and map your evidence plan.

  • Founder profile review & route suitability
  • Business concept refinement
  • Document plan + timeline
Month 1–2 Build

Drafting & evidence build

We prepare endorsement-ready documents and evidence in a structured pack.

  • Business plan & executive summary
  • Market research & competitor analysis
  • Financial narrative & scalability plan
Month 2–3 Endorsement

Endorsement submission

Final checks, submission support, and preparation for follow-up questions if required.

  • Endorsement pack final review
  • Admin steps & submission
  • Responding to queries / revisions
Month 3+ UKVI

UKVI application & next steps

Once endorsed, we guide the UKVI application stage and ongoing compliance planning.

  • Application checklist & form guidance
  • Document consistency review
  • Planning for renewal / progress evidence
Settlement (ILR) pathway: Innovator Founder can lead to settlement if you meet the relevant requirements over time. We advise on progress evidence, milestones, and renewal planning to keep your route on track.
Want a personalised roadmap?
We’ll map your steps, documents, and timing based on your business stage.
Book consultation Call 01733 795905

Comparison

Innovator Founder vs Skilled Worker — what’s the difference?

Both routes can lead to settlement depending on your circumstances. The right choice depends on your goals: building your own venture vs employment with a sponsored role.

Topic Innovator Founder Skilled Worker
Main purpose Build and grow your own innovative business in the UK (endorsement-led). Work for a UK employer in a sponsored skilled role (employer-led).
Who sponsors/endorses? Endorsing body confirms your business meets criteria (innovation, viability, scalability). Licensed sponsor issues a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS).
Evidence focus Business plan, market research, founder credibility, traction, scalability plan. Job offer, salary, skill level, CoS details, employment evidence.
Control & flexibility High autonomy: you run the business (must meet endorsement milestones). Linked to the sponsored job; changing employer requires a new CoS/application.
Costs & complexity Preparation is front-loaded: endorsement readiness + business documentation. Usually more straightforward if CoS and requirements are clear.
Risk profile Higher “quality of case” risk if evidence is weak; success depends on endorsement. Risk linked to sponsor compliance, CoS accuracy, and ongoing employment.
Renewal / progress Progress evidence often required at checkpoints/renewal stages. Maintain sponsored employment; changes must be reported/managed by sponsor.
Settlement pathway Possible route to ILR if you meet the relevant requirements over time. Possible route to ILR after meeting qualifying period and requirements.
Best for Founders/entrepreneurs with a strong concept and growth plan. Professionals with a UK job offer from a licensed sponsor.
Not sure which route is best for you?
Book a consultation and we’ll advise the safest, most realistic option.
Book consultation Call 01733 795905