United Kingdom Residency Programs - Investment & Business Paths

UK Innovator Founder Visa — An Overview

The Innovator Founder Visa is aimed at those who can demonstrate relevant experience in business and sufficient investment funds to set up and grow a new business in the UK.

Before one applies, one needs to have one’s business or business idea assessed by a Home Office–approved endorsing body. They will assess the viability of the business or business idea and, if approved, provide an endorsement letter to submit with the application.

Successful innovators are granted leave for three years at a time and can bring their family members to the UK. After three years, innovators can apply to extend their stay for a further three years or to settle permanently in the UK under indefinite leave to remain (ILR). Each of these three stages (initial application, extension, settlement) requires endorsement from an endorsing body.

Benefits of the UK Innovator Founder Program

Business Innovation and Investment Program offers four unique visa streams.

The Business Innovation and Investment Program includes following streams:

Residence permits acquired within three weeks
Permanent residence possible after three years
International business environment
Attractive tax regime for individuals who are resident but not domiciled
Direct international flight connections to most major global cities
World-renowned schools and universities

Requirements of the UK Innovator Founder Program

Applicants must:

Be at least 18 years of age
Have a new and viable business idea with a potential for growth, supported by an endorsement letter from an approved endorsing body
Demonstrate sufficient investment funds to set up and grow their business
Be the sole or an instrumental member of the business's founding team
Have the ability to speak English according to CEFR intermediate Level B2

The new business must meet the following three criteria:

Innovation: An original, genuine business plan that meets new or existing market needs and/or creates a competitive advantage
Viability: A realistic and achievable business plan, based on the available resources. Applicants must have, or be actively developing, the necessary skills, knowledge, experience, and market awareness to successfully run their business
Scalability: Evidence of structured planning and potential for job creation and growth into national and international markets

Procedures and time frame of the UK Innovator Founder Program

Australia follows strict measures to process visa applications under concrete policies, laws, legislative instruments, rules and regulations. The Department of Home Affairs can legally terminate your visas and conduct monitoring exercises, cause the migration agent industry regulation and even permit the authorities to conduct a review of your visa application decisions.

At the online portal, Australian employers can easily view the status of individuals who hold visa. Australia has adopted electronic processing of visa instead of physical processing which is why visa labels are not physically placed in the passport any more rather electronically attached to them.

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