UK Innovator Founder visa in 2026
Innovator Founder is the main UK immigration route for founders building an innovative, viable and scalable business. The business or business idea must be assessed by an approved endorsing body.
There is no one universal fixed investment amount for entry. This route is not the closed Tier 1 Investor or Tier 1 Entrepreneur route. An endorsing body must be satisfied with the venture and its funding needs, and the applicant must separately meet the immigration requirements.
Permission is normally granted for 3 years. The route can permit work on the endorsed business and certain outside work under the current rules.
Settlement is conditional
A founder may qualify for settlement after 3 years only if the separate settlement requirements are met, including a fresh endorsement and business-performance criteria. Entry endorsement does not guarantee settlement.
Companies House registration is separate from immigration permission. Owning or incorporating a UK company does not itself create a right to live or work in the UK.
Read the Innovator Founder guide and Immigration Rules appendix.
Return to the UK hub or compare Global Business Mobility.
Verified against GOV.UK/Home Office sources on 19 September 2026.
Official and supporting sources
- GOV.UK — Innovator Founder visagovernment · accessed 2026-09-19
- GOV.UK — Innovator Founder eligibilitygovernment · accessed 2026-09-19
- Immigration Rules Appendix Innovator Founderlegislation · accessed 2026-09-19