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UNITED KINGDOM

INNOVATOR FOUNDER VISA

The Innovator Founder route is for a person seeking to establish a business in the UK based on an innovative, viable and scalable business idea they have generated or to which they have significantly contributed. The business or business idea must be approved by an endorsing body authorized by the Home Office.

CITIZENSHIP INVEST IS A TRUSTED PARTNER
TO OBTAIN THE UK INNOVATOR FOUNDER VISA

Citizenship Invest ensures the highest success rates through experience and a solid track-record with the different Governments. Every year, we help hundreds of individuals and families to acquire a second residency or citizenship by investment. Citizenship Invest successfully helped clients from over 85 countries around the globe. Most importantly, we have a long-term view of ‘client-advisor’ relationships and commit to our clients for life.

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

Immigration Rules by the Home Office was published on February 25, 2016, and updated on April 23, 2023. This visa used to be called the Innovator visa.

PROGRAM BENEFITS

SIMPLE PROCESS
FAST AND EASY

Visa Processing in 3 to 8 weeks

Can add the spouse, civil or unmarried partner and dependent children 18 and below (Above 18 if they are currently in the UK)

The UK Innovator Founder Visa application process is straightforward.
CITIZENSHIP PATH
FAMILY BENEFITS

Eligible for settlement (also known as ‘indefinite leave to remain or ILR’) after 3 years in the UK as an Innovator Founder

Eligible for British Citizenship after 5 years of ILR.

Once the passport is obtained, Visa-free access to 185 countries.

Access to a superior standard of education, a broad network of state and private schools, and more than 150 universities and higher education institutions.

Access to one of the best healthcare systems in the world.
BUSINESS ADVANTAGES
TAX BENEFITS

An attractive tax regime for high-net-worth investors classed as “UK resident, non-domicile.”

Internationally competitive tax environment

Unrivalled financial business centre, which is London

The UK government is committed to supporting innovation, and offers a number of programs and initiatives to help businesses succeed.

INVESTMENT TYPE & COSTS

Investors have one main route to acquire the UK Innovator Visa.

Investment Option

NEW BUSINESS INVESTMENT APPROVED BY AN ENDORSING BODY

Applicants must have an innovative, viable, and scalable business idea, supported by a business plan, which has been approved by an endorsing body. "NEW" means that you cannot join a business that is already trading. "INNOVATIVE" means that you must have an original business idea which is different from anything else on the market viable, with potential for growth. "SCALABLE" means that you must give evidence of planning that includes creating jobs and growing into national and international markets.

  • NEW BUSINESS INVESTMENT APPROVED BY ENDORSING BODY £50,000

GOVERNMENT FEES

The Innovator Founder visa fees depend on whether the applicant is applying from outside or inside the UK.

  • Main Applicant - Applying from outside the UK £1,036
  • Main Applicant - Extend or switch in the UK £1,292
  • Partner/Spouse and children (each person) - Applying from outside the UK £1,036
  • Partner/Spouse and children (each person) - Extend or switch in the UK £1,292

Additional Requirements

Knowledge of English is required, you must prove you can read, write, speak and understand English to a level B2 on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) scale.

OTHER COSTS
In addition to the required investment, there are other costs for the UK Innovator Founder program, which are Citizenship Invest professional fees, documents certifications when applicable, courier fees, and other small disbursements. Please get in touch with us if you wish to receive a detailed quotation outlining all costs.

APPLICATION PROCESS AND TIMELINE

  • WEEK
    1-2

    Pre-Screening, Down Payment, and Document Collection

    Citizenship Invest will pre-screen your passport to ensure your application can be submitted to the Government. At this stage the client signs a Retainer Agreement and makes a down payment for professional fees to start the application process.


    The client collects all necessary documents with Citizenship Invest’s expert guidance. At this stage the client must have a detailed business plan ready for submission.

    Once the file is ready, we submit the complete file to the Government and schedule an appointment with the UK Embassy.


    Government Processing Fees, Due Diligence, and CI submission invoice are payable at this stage.


    WEEK
    1-2

  • WEEK
    3-8

    Approval and Residence Permit Issuance

    Approval.


    The residence permit is issued.


    WEEK
    3-8

The estimated time to receive citizenship approval depends on the due diligence processing time and the specific case

Eligibility Requirements

Age

The main Applicant must be at least 18 years old.

Language

Must meet the English language requirement to level B2

Innovation

Only new business or business ideas endorsed by an authorised organisation. And the endorsement letter must not be more than 3 months from the time of application.

Funds

Proof of funds to support daily living in the UK.

Points

The applicant must be awarded 70 points either under the New Business criteria or Same Business criteria.

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

Please note that the below documents are a guideline, and after assessing your case, Citizenship Invest will issue a personalised list of documents based on your specific case. Citizenship Invest appoints a specialist Document officer to prepare the application documents and all necessary Government forms for your Innovator Founder Visa in the UK.

  • Must obtain a biometric residence permit (BRP) at a visa application centre
  • Identity document must be scanned via the UK Immigration: ID Check’ app
  • Applicant must Create and Sign in to the UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account. You will be informed whether you need an appointment or not
  • Start-Up or Innovator Visa Form
  • Start-Up or Innovator permission to stay

Documentation related to investment option:

 

  • Endorsement Letter from an authorised organisation

 

Financial documentation:

 

  • Original bank statements for the previous 12 months.
  • Authentic bank reference letter from a globally recognised bank to ensure the authenticity of the application.

FAQS

Frequently Asked Questions
The Innovator Founder Visa is for a person seeking to establish a business in the UK based on an innovative, viable and scalable business idea they have generated or to which they have significantly contributed. The applicant must have a business or business idea approved by a Home Office–approved endorsing body.
To be eligible, the main applicant must be at least 18 years old and can include their partner (husband, wife, civil partner, or unmarried partner) and dependent children 18 and below (Above 18 if they are currently in the UK).
The UK Innovator Founder Visa offers applicants several benefits, including: being eligible for settlement after 3 years in the UK as an Innovator Founder (also known as ‘indefinite leave to remain or ILR’), being eligible for British Citizenship after 5 years of ILR, spouse, civil or unmarried partner and dependent children 18 and below (Above 18 if they are currently in the UK) are included, access to a superior standard of education, and access to one of the best healthcare systems in the world.
To meet the eligibility requirements for the UK Innovator Founder Visa, applicants must satisfy the following criteria:

The visa is available for new businesses or business ideas that have received endorsement from an authorised organization specialising in Innovator Founder and Scale-up visas. The endorsement letter should be obtained no more than three months prior to the visa application. Additionally, the main applicant must be at least 18 years old to be considered eligible for the visa. Furthermore, applicants are required to meet the English language requirement at a B2 level. This ensures they have the necessary language skills to communicate and conduct business in the UK effectively.
The applicant must have an innovative, viable and scalable business venture, and they must meet all the following requirements:

(a) the applicant must have a genuine, original business plan that meets new or existing market needs and/or creates a competitive advantage; and (b) the applicant’s business plan must be realistic and achievable based on the applicant’s available resources; and (c) the applicant must have, or be actively developing, the necessary skills, knowledge, experience and market awareness to run the business successfully; and (d) there must be evidence of structured planning and potential for job creation and growth into national and international markets.
The applicant is applying from outside the UK and has NOT been in the UK for more than 12 months, the applicant must hold the funds for at least 28 days at the time of application:

£ 1,270 Main Applicant
£ 285 Partner/Spouse
£315 for the first dependent child
£200 for each subsequent dependent
Holders of the UK Innovator Founder Visa can work for their business in the UK.
Yes, the UK permits dual citizenship.
The minimum investment cost for the UK Innovator Founder Visa is GBP 50,000. There are also additional fees depending on whether you are applying from outside or inside the UK.
Contact Citizenship Invest, sign the Retainer Agreement, and pay the first fee to start your application today.

CONTACT AN ADVISOR

TESTIMONIALS

“I am very pleased with the service of Citizenship Invest. They guided me through the entire process and provided excellent support and assistance. I highly recommend them.”

“I had a great experience with the document collection team, they were very detail oriented and made sure to mention everything I needed to know. They also provided great customer service and were very friendly. I would definitely recommend them to others.”

Khalil Ben Mansour

“itizenship Invest is highly recommended for their helpfulness, they answered all of my questions and concerns in a very timely manner, explained all of the processes extremely carefully, and cleared my doubts and concerns multiple times.”

Ahmed Slytherin
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