The UK Innovator visa is designed for international entrepreneurs or businessmen who are interested in investing in a business in the UK (or those who would like to establish self-employment in the UK).

What are the requirements?

Eligible individuals must meet the following qualifications:

  • Be from outside the EEA and Switzerland
  • Be at least 18-years-old
  • Have at least £50,000 cash funds to invest
  • Have at least £1,270 maintenance funds for 90 days before making the UK Innovator visa application
  • Meet the English language requirement: An applicant must have a score of least B2 on the CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages), be from a majority English-speaking country, or hold a degree that was taught primarily in English.

In addition to the listed qualification, anyone applying must have an original business plan that meets new or existing market needs—meeting the innovation, viability, and scalability requirements. These criteria will be evaluated by various government-approved endorsing organizations who will then issue a letter of endorsement. How long is the UK Innovator visa valid?The Innovator visa is valid for three years and can be extended for another three years upon reapplication. To qualify for a visa extension, applicants must prove that their business has made significant progress based on their initial business plan.

  • The business is fully registered, active and trading, and can be sustainable for at least the next 12 months.
  • The applicant must prove that they are playing an active role in the day-to-day business operations.
  • The endorsing body must be satisfied that the applicant will spend their time in the UK continuing to develop business ventures.

Furthermore, visa applicants can include partners and children aged under 18 in their applications. If approved, they will be granted the same length of time as the main applicant. Approved family members will be able to work or establish their businesses as well.

In some cases, Innovator visa holders can qualify to apply for an Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) status after three years of lawful residency in the UK.

To know more about the innovator visa, contact only the certified UK immigration consultants in Dubai with a proven track record of a high visa application approval rate.

Such as we here, at Alpha Migration Consultants, we have well-versed UK visa consultants in Dubai and an experienced immigration lawyer in the UK, that can help you gain endorsement from an authorising body and obtain your UK Innovator visa.

Contact us for a one on one session with our immigration lawyer, in person, via the phone, or online.