The Innovator Founder visa lets a founder from abroad set up and run an innovative, scalable business in the UK once an approved endorsing body has assessed the idea. It lasts three years and can be extended. It costs £1,357 from outside the UK, plus £1,000 for the endorsement and the healthcare surcharge of £1,035 a year. Applications are accepted all year.
Who can apply
Nationality
GOV.UK sets no nationality list for this visa. A Tunisian can apply and must prove English at B2 level, because Tunisia is not on the list of exempt countries.
Endorsement
An approved endorsing body must assess the business idea as new, innovative, viable and scalable before the visa application.
Money
At least £1,270 of personal savings held for 28 consecutive days, and for a new business, enough funding shown to the endorsing body.
Funding and what it does not cover
The visa costs £1,357 from outside the UK. The endorsement costs £1,000, each meeting with the endorsing body £500, and the healthcare surcharge £1,035 a year.
You pay
Endorsement fee of £1,000
£500 for each meeting with the endorsing body, at least two
