HOW TO APPLY ONLINE INNOVATOR FOUNDER VISA BY SELF UK 2023

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Innovator Founder visa
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Contents
Overview
Eligibility
Knowledge of English
Documents you’ll need to apply
Apply from outside the UK
Your partner and children
Extend your visa
Switch to this visa
Overview
You can apply for an Innovator Founder 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
This visa used to be called the Innovator visa.
If you’re from the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein
If you or your family member started living in the UK by 31 December 2020, you may be able to apply to the free EU Settlement Scheme.
Otherwise you need a visa to work in the UK.
Irish citizens do not need to apply for a visa or to the EU Settlement
Eligibility
You must be able to show that your business idea is:
Knowledge of English
You must be able to speak, read, write and understand English. You’ll usually need to prove your knowledge of English when you apply.
If you’re not eligible for an Innovator Founder visa
You may be eligible for another type of visa to work in the UK.
How long you can stay
You can stay for 3 years if you either:
come to the UK on an Innovator Founder visa
switch to this visa from another visa while in the UK
You’ll need to meet with your endorsing body after 12 months and 24 months to show you’re making progress with your business. Your visa may be cut short if your endorsement is withdrawn by the endorsing body. If you want to stay longer, you must re-apply with a new endorsement before your current visa expires.
If you want to stay longer in the UK
You can apply to extend your stay for another 3 years when your visa is due to expire. There’s no limit on the number of times you can extend.
You may be able to apply for settlement once you’ve been in the UK for 3 years.
How to apply
You must apply online.
How you apply depends on whether you’re:
outside the UK and are coming to the UK
inside the UK and extending your current visa
inside the UK and switching from a different visa
Your partner and children can apply to join you or stay in the UK as your ‘dependants’ if they’re eligible.
How long it takes
As part of your application, you’ll need to prove your identity and provide your documents.
You may need to allow extra time if you need an appointment to do this. You’ll find out if you need one when you start your application.
Getting a decision
Once you’ve applied online, proved your identity and provided your documents, you’ll usually get a decision on your visa within:
3 weeks, if you’re outside the UK
8 weeks, if you’re inside the UK
If you need to go to an appointment, you may be able to pay for a faster decision. How you do this depends on whether you’re outside the UK or inside the UK.
Fees
How much you pay for an Innovator Founder visa depends on your situation and where you apply from.
Who you’re applying for Apply (outside the UK) Extend or switch (in the UK)
You £1,036 £1,292
Your partner and children £1,036 each person £1,292 each person
You must pay the visa fee for each person that applies at the same time as you or applies later to join you in the UK.
Healthcare surcharge
You’ll also have to pay the healthcare surcharge as part of your application.
Check how much you’ll have to pay before you apply.
If you’re applying to extend or switch in the UK
You’ll also need to have your biometric information (fingerprints and a photo) taken - there’s no fee for this.
What you can and cannot do
With an Innovator Founder 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
do work outside your business, as long as it’s ‘skilled work’ - for example, a job on the Skilled Worker eligible occupations list or a job needing at least a level 3 qualification
bring your partner and children with you as your ‘dependants’, 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:
work as a professional sportsperson, for example a sports coach
apply for most benefits (public funds), or the State Pension
If your application is successful, you’ll get a full list of what you can and cannot do with an Innovator Founder visa.