UK Innovator Founder Visa: Why Endorsement Is the Real Bottleneck

Updated October 2026.

The Innovator Founder visa replaced the old Innovator and Start-up routes in April 2023. It needs no employer sponsor and has no fixed minimum investment. What it does need is an endorsement from a Home Office approved body. That step is where most founders get stuck.

Only a few bodies remain Under the old system more than 50 bodies could endorse. Today only three general business endorsing bodies take new applicants: UK Endorsing Services and Innovator International and Envestors Limited. One more program, the Global Entrepreneurs Programme, is by invitation only. The Home Office updates this list from time to time so check gov.uk before you apply.

What the endorser looks for Your business idea must be innovative and viable and scalable. You must be an active and significant contributor to the business. A passive investor does not qualify.

Costs to plan for The visa fee is £1,357 outside the UK and £1,693 inside the UK for each person. The Immigration Health Surcharge is £1,035 per adult per year. The endorsement fee is £1,000 per applicant and is paid to the endorsing body. An endorsement letter expires after 3 months if you do not use it.

After approval Family members can join you. Settlement is possible after a set qualifying period. The English-language standard for settlement rises to CEFR B2 on March 26, 2027.

Sources: gov.uk and the ORBIZLY program review of September 15, 2026.