United KingdomActive but restrictedStartup Visas

Innovator Founder Visa

No fixed capital minimum, but only 3 approved endorsing bodies remain (down from 50+) — endorsement is the real bottleneck.

Official program name

Innovator Founder Visa

Program category

Starting an innovative company

Current status

Active but restricted (narrow endorsing-body list)

Best suited for

Founders with a genuinely innovative, viable, and scalable business idea who can secure endorsement

Overview

The Innovator Founder visa replaced the old Innovator and Start-up visas in April 2023 and is now the UK's central endorsement-based route for founders — no employer sponsorship is required. Instead, the business idea must be formally endorsed by a Home Office-approved endorsing body before an application can proceed. As of 2026, only three general Business Endorsing Bodies remain approved for new applicants (UK Endorsing Services, Innovator International, Envestors Limited), plus one invite-only program (The Global Entrepreneurs Programme). This is a significant narrowing from the 50+ bodies that existed under the old system, and the list is updated periodically by the Home Office.

Minimum investment

No fixed statutory minimum since the 2023 reform

Active involvement required

Yes — must be an active, significant contributor to the business, not a passive investor

Residence status granted

Residence and work permission (period varies)

Family inclusion

Yes

Spouse work rights

To be confirmedConfirm current terms

Permanent residence pathway

Conditional — via settlement after a set qualifying period

Endorsement requirement

Mandatory — from one of the current approved Business Endorsing Bodies; endorsement letters expire after 3 months if unused

Government fees

Visa application fee: £1,357 (outside UK) / £1,693 (inside UK) per person; Immigration Health Surcharge £1,035/adult/year; Endorsement fee: £1,000 per applicant (paid directly to endorsing body)

Official source

gov.uk

Directional guidance only, not immigration advice. Without a current, valid endorsement from an approved body, an application cannot proceed. Confirm the live endorsing-body list on gov.uk before applying. Last verified September 15, 2026.