Founders seeking to establish an innovative business in the UK
Innovator Founder visa advice
Practical advice for founders on endorsement, the business plan and the requirements of the route.
The Innovator Founder route is for people who want to set up and run an innovative business in the UK. Applicants need an endorsement from an approved endorsing body, which assesses whether the business idea is innovative, viable and scalable.
Endorsement decisions are made by the endorsing bodies, and visa decisions by the Home Office. We explain the criteria and help you prepare a coherent application. Official guidance on every UK immigration route is published on GOV.UK. The rules change regularly, so we check the current position before advising.
Who this may be relevant to
- Founders with a new business idea seeking endorsement
- Applicants preparing a business plan for an endorsing body
- Innovator Founder visa holders considering an extension or settlement
- People comparing the route with other business-related routes
What we can advise on
- Eligibility
- The personal and business requirements of the route.
- Endorsement criteria
- How innovation, viability and scalability are usually assessed.
- Business plan and evidence
- What the plan and supporting evidence need to address.
- The application
- The visa application following endorsement, including dependants.
- Later stages
- Contact point meetings, extensions and settlement requirements.
How Resolve can help
- Explain the route and whether it suits your plans
- Review your business plan against the published criteria
- Prepare the visa application and supporting documents
- Advise on alternative routes where appropriate
How an Innovator Founder matter usually begins
First contact
Tell us briefly about your circumstances and what you are trying to achieve. Please do not send documents at this stage.
Initial discussion
We carry out our conflict and identity checks, then discuss the route, the main requirements and how we charge.
Reviewing the position
We review your business idea and plan against the endorsement criteria and explain the options.
Next steps
We agree in writing what we will do. Decisions are made by the Home Office, and no outcome or processing time can be guaranteed.
Working with Resolve
- Plain explanations of the requirements and the risks before anything is submitted
- Honest advice where another route may be more suitable, or where an application is unlikely to meet the rules
- Clear communication about your matter and the next steps
- Based in Watford, advising clients across Hertfordshire, London and England & Wales
Where we act
Our office is in Watford, Hertfordshire. We advise on UK immigration matters for clients in Hertfordshire, London and elsewhere, and can communicate by telephone, video and email where appropriate.
Frequently asked questions
Which immigration matters does Resolve deal with?
We offer a selected range of immigration services: Global Talent and Innovator Founder visas, spouse and partner visas, business immigration, sponsor licences, Indefinite Leave to Remain and British citizenship.
If your matter falls outside these services we will tell you promptly so that you can find the right adviser.
What is the first step in an immigration matter?
Tell us in outline about your circumstances, your current immigration status and any deadline. We carry out conflict and identity checks before advising substantively and will explain how we charge.
Please do not send passports or other documents with your first enquiry.
Start Your Enquiry
Tell us briefly what has happened and what you need. Email and telephone are both required so we can respond in the way that suits you.