Decades of UK immigration expertise. Expert legal advice in the processing of UK visa applications, extensions and advice for UK settlement options.

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Based in London and active internationally, we provide bespoke immigration solutions for both business and personal matters. Our dedicated immigration team has a wealth of experience advising on all aspects of immigration law, including audit and compliance.

We prioritise strong guidance on and direction for, all aspects of immigration, including the basis of application and compliance in an era of ever-changing law, guidance and processes. 

Our corporate relocation services include the incorporation of business and complete support for the transfer and resettling of employees or potential employees.

 

UK Immigration Services:

 

The Tier 1 (Investor) visa is a passive investment program, designed for high-net-worth individuals who invest at least £2,000,000 into share capital or loan capital in active trading UK companies.

Visa Duration?

The initial visa is granted for 3 years and 4 months (or 3 years if processed in the UK). 

Can the visa be extended?

A subsequent extension can be applied for, providing all criteria are met. Holders of the Tier 1 Investor visa may apply to extend their visa for a further 2 years. 

Permanent Settlement?

The Tier 1 (Investor) route can lead to Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) in 2–5 years and citizenship in 5–6 years, subject to meeting the eligibility criteria. An accelerated settlement option is available and dependent on the amount of invested capital – £ 10 million leads to ILR after 2 years, or £ 5 million for ILR in 3 years. 

Legal Fees?

The fees for individual Tier 1 (Investor) visa entry, visa extension, ILR and citizenship depend on specific issues, contingent urgencies and case complexities. We will provide a bespoke quote based on an in-depth assessment of your case.

The Start-up visa category is for new entrepreneurs starting their first UK business. This category has no set initial capital investment requirement. To qualify for a visa, applicants must first obtain an endorsement from a Home Office-approved endorsing body confirming that their business is innovative, viable and scalable.

Visa Duration?

The maximum grant of leave in this category is 2 years. 

Applicants will not be able to extend their visa in the same category, however they may switch to an innovator visa, if they meet the requirements.

The start-up visa UK does not directly lead to indefinite leave to remain (ILR) in the UK, unless an applicant has switched to the Innovator category.

Legal Fees?

The fees for individual Start-up applications depend on specific issues, contingent urgencies and case complexities. We will provide a bespoke quote based on an in-depth assessment of your case.

The Innovator visa route is aimed at experienced entrepreneurs looking to set up or run a business in the UK. Applicants are required to demonstrate an innovative, viable and scalable business idea which is supported by an endorsing body. With some exceptions, applicants should have access to at least £50,000 to invest in their business.

Visa Duration?

The initial visa granted is for 3 years.

Can the visa be extended?

A subsequent extension can be applied for, providing all criteria are met. Holders of the Innovator visa may apply to extend their visa for a further 3 years.

Permanent Settlement?

Migrants would be eligible for permanent residence, Indefinite Leave to Remain in 5 years, and for citizenship after 6 years after initial entry to the United Kingdom, provided all the requirements are being met.

Legal Fees?

The fees for individual Innovator applications depend on specific issues, contingent urgencies and case complexities. We will provide a bespoke quote based on an in-depth assessment of your case.

Who is this visa category for?

The Skilled Worker visa is the main UK visa route for skilled workers coming to the UK to take up employment. Applicants will need to have a job offer from a licenced sponsor, who will confirm that they can do the job they are hiring them for and if it qualifies them for a visa.

Visa Duration?

The initial visa is granted for a maximum of 3 years.

Can the visa be extended?

A subsequent extension can be applied for, providing all criteria are met. Holders of the Skilled Worker visa may apply to extend their visa for a further 2 years.

Permanent Settlement?

Migrants would be eligible for permanent residence, Indefinite Leave to Remain in 5 years, and for citizenship after 6 years after initial entry to the United Kingdom, provided all the requirements are being met.

Skilled Worker visa holders are permitted to bring their dependents to the UK on a Skilled Worker Dependent visa. Such migrants are eligible for Indefinite Leave to Remain in 5 years and for citizenship after 6 years after initial entry to the United Kingdom.

Legal Fees?

The fees for individual Skilled Worker applications depend on specific issues, contingent urgencies and case complexities. We will provide a bespoke quote based on an in-depth assessment of your case.

Under the points-based system, UK employers looking to hire highly skilled migrant foreign workers from outside the United Kingdom are required to obtain a UK Sponsorship Licence. A sponsorship licence is also necessary for educational institutions recruiting students from overseas.

Sponsors licence duration?

A sponsorship licence is granted for an initial period of four years and may be extended if the company wishes to continue to sponsor any foreign nationals.

Legal Fees?

The fees for Skilled Worker Sponsor licence applications depend on specific issues, contingent urgencies and case complexities. We will provide a bespoke quote based on an in-depth assessment of your case.

Sponsor licences are granted for an initial period of 4 years. If the sponsor company wants to continue to sponsor foreign nationals, they must renew their licence before it expires.

It is the responsibility of the sponsor to renew their sponsor licence. The renewal application is submitted via the Sponsor Management System (SMS). The Home Office may request further documents once the application has been submitted. The Home Office may decide to visit the business premises to assess if the sponsor has remained compliant to their obligations as a sponsor before making a decision.

Legal Fees?

The fees for renewal of Sponsor licence applications depend on specific issues, contingent urgencies and case complexities. We will provide a bespoke quote based on an in-depth assessment of your case.

What is it for?

The grant of a sponsor licence has several important obligations for the sponsorship holders, which the Home Office hold them accountable to. A sponsor may receive a visit from the Home Office to assess if the company is suitably prepared before issuing a Skilled Worker Sponsor licence or to assess that the sponsor can maintain their obligations whilst they are a sponsor. 

If a sponsor fails the Home Office audit, they risk having their licence curtailed and being publicly listed as non-compliant. This undoubtably will have great implications for the business as well as for the sponsored employee whose visa will subsequently be curtailed. A Mock Audit is the best way to avoid the risk of failing a Home Office audit.

 A Mock Audit is conducted by our experienced legal experts at Immigration.UK, who will provide sponsor licence holders with comprehensive advice to ensure that their organisation is compliant and prepared for a Home Office audit.

Legal Fees?

The fees for conducting Mock audit depend on specific issues, contingent urgencies and case complexities. We will provide a bespoke quote based on an in-depth assessment of your case.

 

The Intra-company visa enables skilled workers in a foreign country to transfer to a job in the UK branch of the same company. The applicant should have a minimum of 12 months experience in that company, unless they are being offered a salary of £73,900 or more a year to work in the UK.

There are 2 types of Intra-company visa.

Intra-company Transfer visa

This visa has replaced the Tier 2 (Intra-company Transfer) Long-term Staff visa.

Intra-company Graduate Trainee visa

This visa is for transfers to the UK as part of a graduate training programme for a managerial or specialist role.

You need to have worked for your employer overseas for at least 3 months immediately before the date you apply.

This visa has replaced the Tier 2 (Intra-company Transfer) Graduate Trainee visa.

How long applicants can stay?

The maximum total stay allowed for an Intra-company Transfer visa is:

• 5 years in any 6 year period if you are paid less than £73,900 a year
• 9 years in any 10 year period if you are paid £73,900 a year or more

The maximum total stay allowed for an Intra-company Graduate Trainee visa is 5 years in any 6 year period.

Can the visa be extended?

Migrants can apply to extend their stay in the UK for the maximum time allowed for their visa type, subject to meeting the eligibility requirements for the particular subcategory.

Permanent Settlement?

With the Intra-company visa, applicants are not permitted to apply for indefinite leave to remain at the end of 5 years in the UK, unlike Skilled Worker migrants.

Legal Fees?

The fees for individual Intra-company visa applications depend on specific issues, contingent urgencies and case complexities. We will provide a bespoke quote based on an in-depth assessment of your case.

If someone has moved to the UK for a specified period of time, they may be able to apply for citizenship by naturalisation, depending on their situation. The most common way of becoming naturalised is to hold Indefinite Leave to Remain status for a continuous period of 12 months. The requirements for naturalisation as a British citizen differ depending on whether or not applicants are applying on the basis of marriage or civil partnership with a British citizen. Those who are applying as a partner, are exempt from holding ILR for a continuous 12-month period.

A decision can only be made to grant citizenship if applicants demonstrate that they satisfy certain legal requirements and the Home Secretary deems it fit to grant naturalisation.

You do not automatically get British citizenship if you were born in the UK. It depends on when you were born and your parents’ circumstances.

Legal Fees?

The fees depend on specific issues, contingent urgencies and case complexities. We will provide a bespoke quote based on an in-depth assessment of your case.

This visa is for foreign nationals who apply to come to the UK as a representative of an overseas business. This visa is granted to individuals that hold a senior position within the company whose headquarters are outside the UK. No investments are required for this type of visa, though there are several eligibility requirements that should be met.

Visa Duration?

Initial Representative of an Overseas Business visa grants entry for 3 years.

Can the visa be extended?

A subsequent extension can be applied for, providing all criteria are met. Holders of the

Representative of an Overseas Business visa may apply to extend their visa for a further 2 years.

Permanent Settlement?

After spending 5 years in the UK, the applicant can apply for permission to settle permanently in the UK, provided all the requirements are being met.

Legal Fees?

The fees for individual Representative of an Overseas Business applications depend on specific issues, contingent urgencies and case complexities. We will provide a bespoke quote based on an in-depth assessment of your case.

The EU Settlement Scheme is designed for EU and Swiss citizens and their family members, who are living in the UK. The Scheme gives applicants the opportunity to protect their residence rights in the UK after the UK leaves the EU.

If the applicant has resided in the UK for 5 years or more, they will be granted ‘Settled Status’, which gives the applicant Indefinite Leave to Remain in the UK. If the applicant has resided in the UK for less than 5 years, they will be granted ‘Pre-Settled Status’, which gives the applicant limited leave until their 5-year residence threshold, after which they can apply for indefinite leave to remain in the UK.

Legal Fees?

The fees for EU Settlement Scheme applications depend on specific issues, contingent urgencies and case complexities. We will provide a bespoke quote based on an in-depth assessment of your case.

This route is for those seeking to enter or remain in the UK based on their family life with their partner who is a British Citizen or a person who is settled in the UK.

If the applicant and their partner meet the eligibility criteria, they will be granted a visa for 2.5 years. If they continue to meet the rules after this period of time, they can apply to extend their visa for a further 2.5 years. They will be eligible to apply for citizenship directly after completing 5 years continuous residence as a partner.

Legal Fees?

The fees for individual visa applications depend on specific issues, contingent urgencies and case complexities. We will provide a bespoke quote based on an in-depth assessment of your case.

A person granted with Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) in the UK, also referred to as Settlement, can remain in the UK without any restrictions on their stay. This means that a person granted ILR may live and work without limitations imposed on how long they can be in the UK. This is also referred to as settlement in the UK. Once ILR status has been held for 12 months, a person is eligible to apply for citizenship in the UK, subject to meeting the citizenship requirements.

Indefinite Leave to remain is granted to those who have spent a qualifying period of continuous residence in the UK and meet the eligibility criteria for their visa category. The qualifying continuous period is generally 5 years, but there are some categories that have a reduced continuous period.

Legal Fees?

The fees for ILR applications depend on specific issues, contingent urgencies and case complexities. We will provide a bespoke quote based on an in-depth assessment of your case.

 

Entrepreneurs

We provide guidance from the outset for clients looking to set up a new business in the UK, going above and beyond the application process, to understand and meet the clients long-term immigration goals. Our experts advise entrepreneurs on which route best meets their needs, providing recommendations on extensions, settlement applications and accelerated routes, as well as detailed business plans and vital to the success of start-up and innovator visa applications.

Employers and employees

We provide end-to-end immigration assistance to businesses, developing strategic immigration plans and providing complete support, from sponsor licence applications and management, compliance training and audit services, to full support with obtaining initial Skilled Worker visas for employees and further extensions.

Relocation and Settlement

We provide comprehensive legal support to private clients and their families throughout the entire immigration process, from visa/entry clearance applications, extension applications, to indefinite leave to remain (ILR) to obtaining a British passport and citizenship.

Immigration.UK’ lawyers have extensive knowledge of complex Home Office policies and implement effective management and processing of all Immigration applications, in the UK and worldwide.

Regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA), we  have a proven track record of successfully obtaining UK visas for clients worldwide and operate within a strict set of rules and guidelines designed to ensure that all applicants are treated professionally, courteously and ethically at all times. Contact us today for a qualified consultation with our UK Immigration lawyers.

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UK Visas and Immigration

Our experts have decades of experience and a proven track record in successfully delivering expert legal advice and representation in all aspects of UK immigration, throughout the entire immigration process.

We will prepare your application for submission to the Home Office and guide you through the whole process. Our dedicated Immigration lawyers have an established reputation in providing expert, effective and efficient legal support for a full range of services to suit your individual needs, including visa/entry clearance and extension applications, indefinite leave to remain (ILR) and British passport and citizenship applications.

We have a wealth of experience advising on all aspects of Tier 1 (Investor), Start-up and Innovator visa applications, as well as providing end-to-end immigration assistance on businesses and on the development of strategic immigration plans. We provide complete support, from sponsor licence applications and management and compliance training and audit services, to full support helping to obtain initial Skilled Worker visa for employees and further extensions.

Immigration.UK is a qualified and experienced immigration firm, fully regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA). We deliver the highest quality industry services for both corporate and private clients.

Representative of an Overseas Business – your ultimate route to set up a UK branch or a wholly owned subsidiary for an overseas parent company and expand your business on an international level. Eligibility for permanent residence in 5 years – citizenship in 6 years.

Representative of an Overseas Business is the most suitable route for companies to use when they wish to establish a commercial presence in the UK. The Representative of an Overseas Business visa, can be granted to individuals that hold a senior position within the company whose headquarters are outside the UK, when the company is planning to set up a representation in the UK, and where this individual is appointed the sole representative of this company in the UK, responsible for running the business. No investments are required for this type of visa, though there are a set of requirements to be met.

Initial Representative of an Overseas Business visa grants entry for 3 years which can be extended for another 2 years. After you’ve been in the UK for 5 years, you can apply for permission to settle permanently in the UK.

Eligibility Criteria (initial application):

This visa category is for those who hold a senior position in an overseas business and that company intends to establish the company’s first commercial presence in the UK.  

In order to meet the eligibility criteria, you should be recruited and employed outside the UK by a company whose headquarters are outside the UK. Further, you should hold a senior position within the company (but not be a majority shareholder) and have full authority to make decisions on its behalf.

Further requirements include showing you have enough funds to maintain yourself in the UK and to have knowledge of the English Language. You must meet the English language requirement which requires applicants to have obtained at least CEFR Level A1 in speaking and listening.

You can:

• Bring your dependent family members with you to the UK;
• Apply to settle in the UK after you’ve been here for 5 years;
• Extend your visa multiple times.

You cannot:

• Work for yourself or any other business;
• Stay in the UK if the sole representative arrangement is ended by your employer;
• Switch to this visa from any other visa category.

Processing time:

• The earliest you can apply is 3 months before you travel;
• Priority Service may be available for entry clearance applications which should result in a decision within 10 – 15 days;
• Standard processing times for entry clearance applications is approximately 3 weeks when you apply from outside the UK. For applications submitted from within in the UK, processing time is currently approximately 8 – 12 weeks.

The EU Settlement Scheme is designed for EU, EEA and Swiss citizens and their family members, who are living in the UK. The Scheme gives applicants the opportunity to protect their residence in the UK now, after the UK left the EU.

Settled status

Applicants, who have lived in the UK for 5 years and can provide evidence in support of this are eligible to apply for ‘settled’ status. The holder of the settled status would acquire indefinite leave to remain in the UK.

Once the EU migrant is granted settled status in the UK, their children aged below 21 can also apply for settled status, without needing to have spent 5 years in the UK.
Applicants are permitted to have gaps of up to 6 months in any 12 month period, and one instance of up to 12 months continuous absence for a specified reason, such as serious illness, study, vocational training, pregnancy, childbirth or compulsory military service. These absences will not break the period of continuous residence of 5 years in the UK.

Settled status will be lost after continuous absence from the UK for more than 5 years. Pre-settled status will be lost after continuous absence from the UK for more than 2 years. It is not possible to apply under this settlement scheme once the status has been lost. Instead, another immigration category should be used.

Holders of settlement document and Indefinite Leave to Remain:

Those who have previously been issued a permanent residence document must still apply under the EU Settlement Scheme. Holders of Indefinite Leave to Remain may choose to apply under the EU Settlement Scheme but are not required to do so. These applicants will not have to provide evidence of residence, but the Home Office will conduct criminality and security checks.

In addition, the Home Office will need to be satisfied that an applicant’s permanent residence status has not elapsed through absence of more than 5 consecutive years, or the Indefinite Leave to Remain has not elapsed through absence of more than 2 consecutive years.

The Innovator visa route is aimed at experienced entrepreneurs seeking to set up or run a business in the UK. The initial Innovator visa grants entry for 3 years which can be extended for another 3 years with no maximum time limit in the category. After applicants have been in the UK for a continuous period of 3 years, they can apply for permission to permanently settle in the UK.

On 29th March 2019, the Innovator visa opened as a replacement for the Tier 1 Entrepreneur visa category. This new category aims to encourage the development of and investments in viable, innovative and scalable businesses in the United Kingdom in order to drive economic growth.

The initial visa granted is for 3 years and can be extended for a further 3 years, with no maximum time in this category.  

Applicants can apply to extend their visa if both of the following apply:

• They meet the eligibility requirements;
• They’re still running a business in the UK or want to set up a new one;

Applicants must have £50,000 in investment funds if they want to set up a new business. They do not need funds if their business is already established and has been endorsed for an earlier visa.
 

Applicants need to have their business or business idea assessed by a Home Office approved endorsing body when they extend their visa.
 

Applicants should include any dependents who are on their current visa on their application to extend – including children who have turned 18 during their stay.
 

For a New Business:

Applicants must obtain an endorsement letter from an approved endorsement body.

For a new business, the endorsing body will decide if the business plan and required documentation meets the endorsement criteria of innovation, viability and scalability and is genuine and credible. If so, the information will be provided to the Home Office in the endorsement letter. The Home Office guidance sets out what should be included in this letter for it to meet the requirements.

Innovation – The applicant must have a genuine, original business plan that is in line with new or existing market needs and/or has a competitive advantage.

Viability – The applicant is actively developing or already has the required skills, knowledge, experience and market awareness to run their business successfully.

Scalability – There needs to be evidence of structured planning and of job creation prospects as well as potential to grow into national markets.

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants need to:

• Still be running a business in the UK or want to set up a new one;
• Have an already established business and be endorsed for an earlier visa;
• Have access to £50,000 in investment funds if they want to set up a new business, and their business or business idea should be assessed by an approved body;
• Have enough money to support themselves without recourse to public funds;
• Apply before their visa expires;
• Include any dependents who are on their current visa on their application to extend – including children who have turned 18 during their stay.

Applicants can:

• Set up a business or several businesses;
• Work for their business – this includes being employed as a director, or self-employed as a member of a business partnership;
• Bring their dependent family members with them to the UK;
• Apply to settle in the UK after they’ve been there for 3 years;
• Extend their visa multiple times.

Applicants cannot:

• Do any work outside their business, for example work where they’re employed by another business;
• Work as a doctor or dentist in training;
• Work as a professional sportsperson, for example a sports coach;
• Have access to public funds.

There are also other conditions which may apply, depending on your country of nationality.

UK Visas and Immigration

Our experts have decades of experience and a proven track record in successfully delivering expert legal advice and representation in all aspects of UK immigration, throughout the entire immigration process.

We will prepare your application for submission to the Home Office and guide you through the whole process. Our dedicated Immigration lawyers have an established reputation in providing expert, effective and efficient legal support for a full range of services to suit your individual needs, including visa/entry clearance and extension applications, indefinite leave to remain (ILR) and British passport and citizenship applications.

We have a wealth of experience advising on all aspects of Tier 1 (Investor), Start-up and Innovator visa applications, as well as providing end-to-end immigration assistance on businesses and on the development of strategic immigration plans. We provide complete support, from sponsor licence applications and management and compliance training and audit services, to full support helping to obtain initial Skilled Worker visa for employees and further extensions.

Immigration.UK is a qualified and experienced immigration firm, fully regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA). We deliver the highest quality industry services for both corporate and private clients.

О КОМПАНИИ

Immigration.UK – Профессиональные и надежные юридические решения. Мы профессионально помогаем частным и корпоративным клиентам по любым вопросам, связанным с иммиграцией в Великобританию. Наша команда обладает огромным опытом консультирования по всем аспектам иммиграционного законодательства.

В условиях постоянно меняющихся иммиграционных правил мы помогаем клиентам пройти через все этапы иммиграционного процесса: подать заявку на получение первичной визы, продлить её, оформить ПМЖ и гражданство.

Мы также предоставляем комплексные услуги корпоративным клиентам. Среди наших возможностей: правовая поддержка при слиянии бизнеса, переводе и релокации сотрудников (в том числе потенциальных), услуги аудита и комплаенса (проверка на соответствие установленным требованиям).

Деятельность компании регулируется британским Управлением по надзору за юристами-солиситорами (The Solicitors Regulation Authority, SRA).

Following the abolition of the Tier 1 (Exceptional Talent) visa in February 2020, the UK visas and Immigration introduced the Global Talent visa. The The Global Talent visa is an option for talented and promising individuals in the fields of science, digital technology, arts and culture wishing to come to the UK to work in their relevant field.

To be considered for the Global Talent visa, applicants must gain an endorsement from one of the endorsing bodies engaged by the Home Office.

The application process takes place across two stages. You first need to apply to be endorsed online. You can be endorsed in the fields of science, engineering, medicine, humanities, digital technology, the arts and culture (including film and television, fashion design and architecture). If you are applying as a digital technology specialist, you will also need to apply directly to Tech Nation. Applications for endorsements can take up to 8 weeks.

Each endorsing body has its own set of criteria, but in each case you will need to provide substantial evidence of your work and support from experts in your field.

If your application is successful, you will receive an endorsement letter. Once you have this letter, you can then make the application for the visa. You must do this within 3 months of receiving your endorsement letter.

How long is the Visa For

The length of your visa will depend on how long you applied for. You can apply for a visa for between 1 to 5 years. The choice is down to each applicant. If you wish to stay longer than anticipated, you can also apply to extend your visa. There is no limit as to how many times you can apply for an extension. Similar to the initial application, each extension can last for a period between 1 – 5 years.

Global Talent visa holders who continue to satisfy the requirements for an extension and demonstrate sufficient knowledge of the English language and life in the UK are eligible to apply for indefinite leave to remain. You can apply if you were endorsed in your field as either:

• a recognised leader (‘exceptional talent’) – you must have been living and working in the UK on this visa for at least 3 years;
• an emerging leader (‘exceptional promise’) – you must have been living and working in the UK on this visa for at least 5 years.

What you can and cannot do

If you reside in the UK on a Global Talent visa, you can:

• Work – either for an employer, as a director or be self-employed;
• Change jobs without needing to reapply;
• Do voluntary work;
• Bring your dependants (partners and children under 18 years old).

Unfortunately, you will not be able to:

• Have access to public funds;
• Work as a doctor or dentist in training;
• Work as a professional sportsperson or sports coach.

Processing Times

Applications can be made from outside the UK. If you are in the UK and your current leave is under Tier 1 (Investor), Skilled Worker, Tier 5 (Temporary Worker – GAE), Start-up or Innovator categories then you will also be able to apply for this visa from inside the UK.

Once you have obtained an endorsement, the earliest you can apply for your visa is 3 months before your planned travel date.

Once your application has been submitted and you have attended the Visa Application Centre to enrol your biometrics, you should receive a decision within 3 weeks. There may be options to pay an additional fee to receive a faster decision, however this service is not available at every location.

The Innovator Founder visa replaces the original Innovator and Start-Up visas and creates a new single route for established businesspersons and entrepreneurs. The new route allows to set up a new business in the UK and then qualify for settlement in the UK after three years.

The UK Visas and Immigration requirements that you need to satisfy to apply for the Innovator Founder visa:

   1. You need to obtain an endorsement letter from an approved Business Endorsing Body.

The endorsement letter needs to confirm that you are a fit and proper person to receive the endorsement for the new business and that there are no concerns regarding the source of funds to run the business.

Your endorsement letter must be issued not more than 3 months before the date of your initial visa application.

   2. You must show a business plan for a business idea that is innovative, viable and scalable. 

Innovative – new and unique business idea 

Viable – show demand for the product on the market and market awareness 

Scalable – show real potential for growth and to employ more people 

   3. You need to prove your knowledge of English to at least level CEFR Level B2 (equivalent to IELTS 5.5 in reading, writing, listening and speaking).

   4. If applying from outside the UK or have been in the UK for less than 12 months, you need to have at least £1,270 to support yourself.

   5. You also need to be at least 18 years old and have to provide a TB certificate if required.

Financial Requirements

The new Innovator Founder visa does not require you to prove that you have at least £50,000 available to set up the business (as opposed to the former Innovator visa). Under the new route, there is no specific amount you need to show when applying for the visa.

This creates a more flexible approach for the initial visa applicants. However, it is important to note, that in practice you will need to show access to a certain level of investment funds to run the business.

There must be no concerns over the source of funds invested in the business.

The aforementioned means that the main financial requirement is to show £1,270 if you apply from outside the UK. You have to show that these funds were available to you 28 days prior to the visa application.

Approved Business Endorsing Bodies for the Innovator Founder visa route

Under the new route there are currently four endorsing bodies:

• UK Endorsing Service
• Innovator International 
• Envestors Limited 
• The Global Entrepreneurs Programme (GEP) 

There is a separate list of “Legacy Endorsing Bodies” – authorised endorsing bodies under the former Innovator visa. They may still support existing applicants who applied under the Innovator visa route until they obtain a settlement in the UK. 

Switching from Innovator or Start-Up visas 

There is a “same business endorsement criteria” and if you are applying for endorsement for an already endorsed business, you may do this with the same endorsing body from “Legacy Endorsing Bodies”. 

This means that if you have permission to stay as an Innovator or Start–up visa holder, you are eligible for endorsement as an Innovator Founder with the “legacy endorsing body”. However, you need to show that you are running the same business.  

To get a new endorsement, you need to satisfy certain criteria, one of which is to attend two contact point meetings with your existing endorsing body. 

Contact point meetings with endorsing bodies 

It is important to attend contact point meetings under the Innovator Founder permission to stay. They help to monitor if the business operates in compliance with the immigration rules.

Under the Innovator Founder route, applicants must attend at least two contact point meetings with the endorsing body – on the 12 and 24 month of the three-year route. 

Additional business and employment as Innovator founder 

Under the Innovator Founder category, you are allowed to set up a business or several businesses. You can work for your business, including being a director or being self-employed as a member of the business partnership.

You are allowed to do work outside your business as long as it is “skilled work”. These are jobs in the Skilled Worker eligible occupation list or a job that requires at least level 3 qualification. 

Dependants 

Under the Innovator Founder visa route, you are allowed to bring your partner and children as your dependants as long as they are eligible. 

Settlement under the Innovator Founder visa route 

You may be eligible to settle permanently in the UK if you lived under the Innovator Founder permission to stay for three years.

To obtain permanent residence, you need to meet certain criteria one of which is to prove you’ve successfully grown your business.  

Application fees and additional costs 

The current application fee for the Innovator Founder visa is £1,191 per person if you apply outside the UK.

It costs £1,486 per person if you apply to extend or switch your visa in the UK.

As a part of your application, you also have to pay the healthcare surcharge which is currently £624 per each year of your stay.

There are additional costs such as an initial endorsement application totalling £1,000+VAT (if applicable). If endorsed, you would be required to pay for your review meetings with the endorsing body. The fees for these meetings are set by the Home Office at £500 per checkpoint review, totalling £1,000+VAT.

If you wish to discuss the Innovator Founder visa application process in more detail, please do get in touch at zb@immigration.uk 

The Innovator visa route is aimed at experienced entrepreneurs seeking to set up or run a business in the UK. The initial Innovator visa grants entry for 3 years which can be extended for another 3 years with no maximum time limit in the category. After applicants have been in the UK for a continuous period of 3 years, they can apply for permission to permanently settle in the UK.

On 29th March 2019, the Innovator visa opened as a replacement for the Tier 1 Entrepreneur visa category. This new category aims to encourage the development of and investments in viable, innovative and scalable businesses in the United Kingdom in order to drive economic growth.

The initial visa granted is for 3 years and can be extended for a further 3 years, with no maximum time in this category.  

Applicants can apply to extend their visa if both of the following apply:

• They meet the eligibility requirements;
• They’re still running a business in the UK or want to set up a new one;

Applicants must have £50,000 in investment funds if they want to set up a new business. They do not need funds if their business is already established and has been endorsed for an earlier visa.
 

Applicants need to have their business or business idea assessed by a Home Office approved endorsing body when they extend their visa.
 

Applicants should include any dependents who are on their current visa on their application to extend – including children who have turned 18 during their stay.
 

For a New Business:

Applicants must obtain an endorsement letter from an approved endorsement body.

For a new business, the endorsing body will decide if the business plan and required documentation meets the endorsement criteria of innovation, viability and scalability and is genuine and credible. If so, the information will be provided to the Home Office in the endorsement letter. The Home Office guidance sets out what should be included in this letter for it to meet the requirements.

Innovation – The applicant must have a genuine, original business plan that is in line with new or existing market needs and/or has a competitive advantage.

Viability – The applicant is actively developing or already has the required skills, knowledge, experience and market awareness to run their business successfully.

Scalability – There needs to be evidence of structured planning and of job creation prospects as well as potential to grow into national markets.

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants need to:

• Still be running a business in the UK or want to set up a new one;
• Have an already established business and be endorsed for an earlier visa;
• Have access to £50,000 in investment funds if they want to set up a new business, and their business or business idea should be assessed by an approved body;
• Have enough money to support themselves without recourse to public funds;
• Apply before their visa expires;
• Include any dependents who are on their current visa on their application to extend – including children who have turned 18 during their stay.

Applicants can:

• Set up a business or several businesses;
• Work for their business – this includes being employed as a director, or self-employed as a member of a business partnership;
• Bring their dependent family members with them to the UK;
• Apply to settle in the UK after they’ve been there for 3 years;
• Extend their visa multiple times.

Applicants cannot:

• Do any work outside their business, for example work where they’re employed by another business;
• Work as a doctor or dentist in training;
• Work as a professional sportsperson, for example a sports coach;
• Have access to public funds.

There are also other conditions which may apply, depending on your country of nationality.