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UK Innovator Founder Visa Eligibility Calculator

By VISA AI Editorial TeamReviewed by VISA AI Immigration Research DeskUpdated May 17, 2026

The Innovator Founder visa is for experienced business people seeking to establish an innovative business in the UK. Use our free eligibility calculator to determine if you meet the requirements for this exciting visa route.

Processing:3 weeks (standard) after endorsement; endorsement 4–8 weeks.Min score:70FreeOfficial source

Check Your Visa Eligibility Score in 60 Seconds

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1. Do you have an in-principle endorsement letter from an approved body?

2. Is the business genuinely innovative (novel IP, model, or market)?

3. English at CEFR B2 evidenced?

4. Funding/runway secured (founders typically commit £50k+ even though no statutory floor)?

Answer all questions to see your score

UK Innovator Founder Visa Overview

UK Innovator Founder Visa is one of the most searched immigration pathways for people moving to UK

This page gives you a fast, no-signup way to check where you stand before you spend money on application fees or agents. Our calculator mirrors the official rule set and then translates the answers into a clear, percentage-based eligibility score. You will see exactly which requirements you already meet, which ones need work, and what the realistic next step looks like.

If you want a deeper, AI-personalised plan covering documents, timeline, costs and alternative pathways, run the full assessment — it compares your profile against every visa we track for your destination and ranks the routes most likely to succeed for someone with your background.

Innovator Founder Visa Requirements

Endorsing Body Approval

Mandatory endorsement from a Home Office-approved body (e.g. Envestors, UK Endorsed, Innovator International) confirming the business is innovative, viable, and scalable.

No Minimum Investment

Since 13 Apr 2023, the £50,000 minimum was abolished — endorser judges funding adequacy case-by-case.

Innovative Business Plan

Original idea distinct from market; cannot join an existing business unless founder.

English B2

CEFR B2 across all four skills via SELT or degree taught in English.

Maintenance Funds

£1,270 held for 28 consecutive days (waived if 12+ months in UK).

Verify with the official government source

Want to double-check requirements? Read the rules directly from . Our calculator is a guide — official policy can change at any time. UK Visas and Immigration.

Innovator Founder Visa FAQs

Common mistakes to avoid

Buying a franchise or joining an existing business — fails innovation test.

Weak market research in business plan — endorsers reject.

Missing 12/24-month contact reviews — leads to curtailment.

Switching business model without endorser approval.

Improve your chances

1
Engage endorser early (pre-application diagnostic).
2
Secure customer LOIs or paid pilots before endorsement interview.
3
Document IP filings, technical moat, and unit economics.
4
Pair with UK co-founder for "create jobs" ILR criterion.

Innovator Founder fees & milestones (2026)

UK Visas & Immigration 2026 fee schedule.
Item	Cost / Detail
Endorsement fee	£1,000–£3,000 (varies by body)
Visa fee (out of UK)	£1,191
Visa fee (in UK)	£1,486
IHS (per yr, per applicant)	£1,035 (£776 child)
Initial leave	3 yrs
Settlement (ILR)	After 3 yrs if meeting 2 of 7 contribution criteria
Contact-point reviews	12 and 24 months with endorser

Step-by-step application process

Self-assess eligibility. Use this calculator and review the official UK Innovator Founder Visa Eligibility Calculator criteria before paying any fees. Confirm you meet every hard gate (age, language, health, character, qualifying offer or investment) — failing one gate cannot be offset by scoring well elsewhere.
Gather and translate documents. Collect passport, civil documents, qualifications, language test, police clearances from every country lived in 12+ months since age 17, and proof of funds. Obtain certified translations and apostilles/attestations where the destination authority requires them.
Submit the formal application. Lodge online through the official government portal listed on this page. Pay the correct government fee, complete biometrics at the designated centre, and upload supporting evidence in the exact format the authority specifies.
Respond to requests for evidence. Caseworkers commonly request additional payslips, employer letters, or medicals. Respond inside the deadline given — most refusals come from missed deadlines, not weak profiles.
Travel and activate status. On approval, collect your visa vignette or eVisa, enter the country before it expires, register your address where required, and collect any biometric residence permit/card. Keep digital and paper copies of every document.

Sources & references

Every figure on this page is sourced from official government or regulator publications. Cross-check before applying — rules change.

This calculator is editorial guidance, not legal advice. Immigration thresholds, points, salary floors and occupation lists change frequently — always verify your route against the official government source linked on this page before applying. For complex cases, consult a licensed immigration adviser regulated in the destination country.