UK Innovator Founder Forum

Initial application checklist — documents, funds, English and current fees

Endorsement and the visa application are two separate things. This thread is for the second one — the Home Office application you make once you hold an endorsement letter.

Core requirements

  • Age — at least 18.
  • Endorsement letter from an approved endorsing body.
  • English language — you must be able to speak, read, write and understand English. Check the current level and the accepted evidence on GOV.UK, since exemptions apply for some nationalities and degree holders.
  • Maintenance funds — at least £1,270 held for 28 consecutive days. This applies if you are applying from overseas, or extending/switching having been in the UK less than 12 months.
  • Tuberculosis test certificate, depending on where you are applying from.

Current fees

  • Applying from outside the UK: £1,357 per person
  • Applying from inside the UK (extend or switch): £1,693 per person
  • Plus the immigration health surcharge for each year of your grant
  • Plus £1,000 endorsement and £500 per contact point meeting, paid to your endorsing body

Dependants pay the same visa fee each. Check GOV.UK for the fee on the day you apply — these change without much notice.

What you get

A grant of 3 years, whether applying from overseas or switching in-country. You can extend for a further 3 years, with no limit on the number of extensions, or apply for settlement after 3 years.

Working alongside your business

Unlike the old Innovator route, secondary employment is allowed — the job must require a qualification at level 3 or above. You cannot work as a professional sportsperson or coach. Your business still has to be your primary focus, and your endorsing body will be looking at that at your contact point meetings.

Post your timeline below: where you applied from, biometrics date, decision date, priority or standard, and any document requests you received. Timelines are the single most useful thing members share here.

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