Innovators

Innovator Visa Applications

The Innovator visa replaces the previous Tier 1 (Entrepreneur) visa, allowing applicants from outside the UK to enter and remain in this country should they wish to set up a business here.

If you or your client is an experienced businessperson keen to establish a new business in the UK, have access to the required level of investment funds and are ready with a scalable, viable and innovative business idea that’s been approved by an endorsing body, the expert team of immigration barristers here at Imperium Chambers is on hand to help you make a successful Innovator visa application.

About the Innovator Visa

The Innovator visa could provide you or your client with a route into the UK if you are setting up a new business, or already have a business that has not yet started trading. You are not limited to specific sectors for this visa and can work on your own as a sole founder, or as part of a team.

You will however need to satisfy a host of criteria.

Currently, to be eligible for an Innovator visa, you must:

Be at least 18 years of age.
Have a minimum of £50,000 available to invest in your UK business, or have already invested £50,000 in your UK business, unless you are switching from the Tier 1 Graduate Entrepreneur or Start-up category in pursuit of the same business venture.
Have been endorsed by an approved UK endorsing body that has positively assessed your business for scalability, viability and innovation, and your letter of endorsement is dated no more than three months before your visa application.
Genuinely intend to undertake and be capable of undertaking the work or business activity you have stated in your application.
Be competent in the English language to a minimum of CEFR Level B2 (equivalent to IELTS 5.5 in reading, writing, listening and speaking).
Have at least £1,270 in your bank account for 28 consecutive days before you apply for the Innovator visa, apply to extend it, or switch to one if you’ve been in the UK for less than a year.

Innovator visas are valid for three years and can lead to indefinite leave to remain in the UK at the end of this period. Innovator visa applicants are able to bring a partner and any dependent children under the age of 18 to the UK with them.

If you or your client is coming to the UK to join an already trading business, then a Skilled Worker visa may be more appropriate. If you are a senior manager or specialist employee of a business outside of the UK and wish to establish a presence here, then a UK Expansion Worker visa may be the better option for you.

How Imperium Chambers can help

At Imperium Chambers, our team of expert immigration barristers will be with you through every step of your Innovator visa application.

We’ll start by assessing your suitability and checking you satisfy the general eligibility requirements of the Immigration Rules for the Innovator visa, and then advise you on the appropriateness of your business concept, before introducing you to Home Office approved endorsing bodies. Finally, we’ll take you through every step of the Innovator visa application process, ensuring everything is technically accurate and professionally presented, with the best possible chance of being approved the first time.

We have extensive experience in working with entrepreneurs, and take great pride in helping innovative individuals make a success of their business ideas here in the UK.