UK Innovator Founder Visa Forum

Skilled Worker + Start-up + Innovator Founder to ILR — does the Start-up year count?

Posted anonymously by three_routes

Has anyone successfully obtained ILR using a combination of Skilled Worker visa, Start-up visa and Innovator Founder visa?

My timeline is roughly:

  • 1.5 years Skilled Worker
  • 1 year Start-up
  • 2.5 years Innovator Founder

So I now have 5 years continuous lawful residence in the UK. The confusing part is whether the Start-up visa year can be counted toward the 5-year qualifying period for ILR.

I understand Start-up time does NOT count toward the dedicated 3-year Innovator Founder settlement route, but I’ve seen mixed information online about combined-category 5-year routes (SET(O)) and recent rule changes/transitional provisions.

I’ve also seen some solicitor websites mentioning successful Start-up → Innovator Founder ILR cases, but without explaining whether the Start-up period actually counted.

Has anyone here successfully applied with a similar combination, received approval, or had legal advice confirming this works? Would really appreciate hearing real experiences before we pay for specialist legal advice.

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