Build global scale from inside the United Kingdom.
The UK Innovator Founder Visa replaces the old Start-up Visa — no £50,000 capital floor, accelerated settlement after just 3 years, and full family unity from day one.
Build global scale from inside the United Kingdom.
The UK Innovator Founder Visa replaces the old Start-up Visa with a single, premium route — no £50,000 capital floor, accelerated settlement after just 3 years, and full family unity from day one.
Key Benefits & Program Strengths
Accelerated Settlement
Apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) after just 3 years — significantly faster than the standard 5-year route required by most other UK visas.
No Minimum Capital Floor
The previous statutory £50,000 investment requirement has been removed. You only need to demonstrate sufficient funds to execute your specific business plan.
Flexible Professional Rights
Legally permitted to take secondary employment alongside your startup — provided the role is skilled at RQF Level 3 or higher (equivalent to A-levels or above).
Complete Family Unity
Spouse or registered partner receives full UK work and business rights. Minor children can enroll unconditionally in the British education system.
Core Eligibility & Scrutiny Criteria
Your venture cannot be a standard trading firm or local service agency. The Home Office subjects every applicant to evaluation by a Home Office-authorized Endorsing Body against three strict pillars — and additional legal baselines.
The “Innovative, Viable & Scalable” Assessment
Innovation
A genuine, original business plan that meets new or existing market needs with a distinct competitive advantage. The concept cannot be easily replicable by a UK competitor.
Viability
Realistic and achievable based on your current resources. You must actively demonstrate the specific skills, technical knowledge, and market awareness required to run the operations.
Scalability
Concrete evidence of structured growth planning, potential for job creation, and a realistic pathway to national or international market penetration.
Additional Legal Baselines
Age & Active Ownership
Must be at least 18 years old and a primary founder or instrumental member of the founding team, maintaining a key, day-to-day role in managing the business.
English Proficiency
Must demonstrate a confident, independent command of English at minimum Level B2 (CEFR) across reading, writing, listening, and speaking.
Key permit rights
- 3-year initial visa with ILR eligibility
- No mandatory £50,000 capital investment
- Secondary skilled employment permitted
- Spouse receives full UK work rights
- Children enroll in British schools unconditionally
- Can switch from inside UK on valid visa
Old Start-up Visa is closed. The standalone UK Start-up Visa has been officially closed to new applicants. All founders must now apply under the Innovator Founder Visa framework.
Personal Financial Maintenance
Minimum personal savings for the main applicant, held in your personal bank account for 28 consecutive days before submission.
Main Applicant (Founder)
Required personal savings threshold
Dependent Partner / Spouse
Additional maintenance per dependent partner
First Dependent Child
Additional maintenance for first child
Each Additional Child
Additional maintenance per subsequent child
Operational Roadmap
“Nexa organizes the multi-layered UK application life-cycle into a clear, linear timeline.”
From your first endorsement pitch to landing in the UK and launching operations, the full process takes approximately 3 months when properly prepared. The Home Office decision takes just 3 weeks once biometrics are submitted.
Vetting & Endorsement
Develop your comprehensive business plan, financial forecasts, and technological roadmap. Pitch your venture to a Home Office-approved Endorsing Body to secure your formal Endorsement Letter — valid for 3 months.
Document Compilation & Maintenance Check
Compile your B2 English language certificates, complete a TB test if required by your country of origin, and ensure your personal account maintains the £1,270 maintenance floor for 28 consecutive days.
Home Office Portal Submission
Submit via the official GOV.UK portal, settle the visa fees and IHS surcharges, and attend a biometrics appointment at an authorized visa center to scan fingerprints and photograph.
UK Landing & Checkpoint Monitoring
Arrive in the UK, collect your Biometric Residence Permit (BRP), register with Companies House as a director, and launch operations. Attend mandatory progress meetings with your Endorsing Body at Month 12 and Month 24.
ILR at Year 3: Required Achievements
To qualify for Indefinite Leave to Remain after 3 years, your Endorsing Body must re-evaluate your business. Your venture must satisfy at least two (2) of the following seven achievements.
At least £50,000 has been actively invested into the business and spent on developing its operations.
The number of customers has at least doubled within 3 years and is higher than the average for similar UK businesses.
Significant R&D activity and has applied for intellectual property protection in the UK.
Generated a minimum annual gross revenue of £1 million in the last full year.
Generated a minimum of £500,000 in revenue, with at least £100,000 from international export sales.
Created the equivalent of at least 10 full-time jobs for settled workers in the UK.
Created at least 5 full-time jobs for settled workers with an average salary of at least £25,000 per year.
Long-Term Horizon
Innovator Founder Visa
Build and scale your venture in the UK with full work authorization for yourself and your family. Max 180 days outside the UK per rolling 12-month period.
Mandatory Checkpoints
Your Endorsing Body reviews operational progress at Month 12 and Month 24 — checking active management, progress against plan, and funding legitimacy.
Indefinite Leave to Remain
After 3 years, satisfy any 2 of the 7 ILR achievement criteria. Your Endorsing Body re-endorses you. Legal status permanently uncouples from your business.
British Citizenship
After holding ILR for 12 months (total 4 years in UK), apply for British Citizenship via Naturalization. Pass the Life in the UK examination and meet residency requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the old UK Start-up Visa still available?
Can multiple co-founders apply under the same business plan?
Do I have to invest exactly £50,000 into the business on day one?
What happens if my business fails before the 3-year mark?
Can I work for another company while holding this visa?
Can I switch to the Innovator Founder Visa from inside the UK?
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the old UK Start-up Visa still available?
Can multiple co-founders apply under the same business plan?
Do I have to invest exactly £50,000 into the business on day one?
What happens if my business fails before the 3-year mark?
Can I work for another company while holding this visa?
Can I switch to the Innovator Founder Visa from inside the UK?
What are the main authorized Endorsing Bodies?
How long can I spend outside the UK without losing my settlement track?
What happens during the 12-month and 24-month checkpoint meetings?
How long does the Home Office take to process the visa?