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🇬🇧 UK residence permit · Innovator Founder

UK residence permit by investment

The Innovator Founder visa is for people starting a business in the United Kingdom. There is no formal minimum investment, and after 5 years of residence you can apply for citizenship.

Free consultationAdvice on your case
no minimuminvestment amount
1-8 weeksprocessing time
5 yearsto citizenship

The United Kingdom is a country in north-western Europe and one of the world leaders by passport strength and standard of living. The Innovator Founder visa lets you obtain a residence permit by starting your own business there.

Legal grounds

The applicant must have enough money to start a new business - there is no formal minimum investment threshold. If there are several partners, each of them can apply for their own Innovator Founder visa.

Endorsement of the business idea

To apply for the visa, your business or business idea first has to be assessed and endorsed by one of the bodies authorized by the UK Home Office.

Points system

The investor has to score 70 points across two categories.

Business criteria:

  • 30 points - a detailed business plan
  • 20 points - the idea meets the government's requirements for innovation and viability

Language and financial criteria:

  • 10 points - English language ability or a degree from a British university
  • 10 points - £1,270 held in your account

The exact requirements depend on your situation and on the business project you choose. In a free consultation we will check your documents and assess your chances.

Advantages of a UK residence permit

No minimum threshold

There is no formal minimum investment - what matters is showing that you have enough money for a real business and a strong business plan.

Fast processing

The visa is issued in just 1-8 weeks once the business idea is endorsed by an authorized body.

A route to citizenship

After 5 years of residence on the permit you can apply for British citizenship.

A visa for each partner

If several partners are starting the business, each of them can get their own Innovator Founder visa.

FAQ

Is there a minimum investment for the Innovator Founder visa?
There is no formal minimum. What matters is having enough money to start a real business and proving it in the application.
How long does the residence permit take?
From 1 to 8 weeks after the business idea is endorsed by a body authorized by the Home Office.
What do i need to score the required points?
70 points: up to 50 for the business criteria (a detailed business plan and meeting the innovation requirements) and up to 20 for English language ability and £1,270 held in your account.
When can i apply for citizenship?
After 5 years of living in the United Kingdom on this visa.

Don’t want to figure this out alone?

We handle the whole process end to end: we check your documents, match a program to your situation and give you honest timelines and costs. Leave your details and a migration expert will get back to you. The first consultation is free.

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