About UK Innovator Visa
Open to Entrepreneurs with a viable business idea they want to develop in the UK
- Entrepreneurs can switch to the Innovator route from Tier I graduate Entrepreneur , Tier 1 Entrepreneur , Tier 2, Visitor Entrepreneur
- Endorsement Required from a relevant trusted organisation BEFORE an application can be made
- Endorsement requires detailed business plan and projections and job creation
- The business idea needs to be – innovative , viable , scalable
- Entrepreneurs need to be fully committed to the business idea and time spent in the UK will be wholly in working on the business
- Entrepreneurs need to be in regular , formal contact with the endorsing organisation
- There is no maximum time limit but the initial period of leave will be 3 years
- Innovators can apply for settlement after 3 years of continuous residence in the UK if TWO of the following criteria have been met
- At least £50000 has been invested and spent in the business
- The business has created at least 10 full time jobs for resident workers
- The business has created equivalent of at least 5 full time jobs for resident workers paying at least £25000
- The business has generated gross revenue of at least £1m
- The number of business customers has at least doubled in the 3 years and is higher than the mean number of customers for other UK business offering comparable products and services
- The business has engaged in significant research and development activity and applied for intellectual property protection in the UK
- The business is generating at least £500000 in revenue with at least £100000 from exporting overseas
- Dependent family members can apply to join entrepreneurs