Innovator

Overview

You can apply for an Innovator visa if:

• you want to set up and run an innovative business in the UK – it must be something that’s different from anything else on the market
• your business or business idea has been endorsed by an approved body, also known as an endorsing body
• you meet the other eligibility requirements

Eligibility

Requirement	New or same business	Points available
Business plan	New Business	10
Business venture is innovative, viable and scalable.	New Business	20
£50,000 available funds to invest or having been invested	New Business	20
Applicant’s previous permission was as in the Innovator, Start-up or Tier 1 (Graduate Entrepreneur) route and they are pursuing a business assessed by a Home Office approved endorsing body either for the previous endorsement or at a contact point.	Same Business	10
Business is active, trading and sustainable and demonstrates significant achievements against the business plan	Same Business	20
Applicant is active in day-to-day management and development of business	Same Business	20
English Language requirement at level B2	Mandatory for all applicants	10
Financial requirement	Mandatory for all applicants	10
Total number of points required		70

What you can and cannot do

With an Innovator visa you can:

• set up a business or several businesses
• work for your business – this includes being employed as a director, or self-employed as a member of a business partnership
• bring your partner and children with you as your ‘dependents’, if they’re eligible
• travel abroad and return to the UK
• apply to settle permanently in the UK (also known as ‘indefinite leave to remain’) if you’ve lived in the UK for 3 years and meet the other eligibility requirements

You cannot:

• do any work outside your business, for example work where you’re employed by another business
• work as a professional sportsperson, for example a sports coach
• apply for most benefits (public funds), or the State Pension