Innovator Visa UK

The Innovator visa category is for the experienced businesspeople seeking to establish an innovative business in the UK.

We understand that the Innovator visa applications can be complex and using the services of an immigration expert are highly recommended. We pride ourselves on being approachable and proactive in understanding and meeting our clients’ needs. You will need to ensure that you meet all of the mandatory requirements before you apply. You will need to complete the relevant forms and collate your evidence for submission.

UK Innovator visa: Initial application eligibility requirements:

To qualify for entry clearance or leave to remain as an Innovator, you must:

• Be at least 18 years old on the date of decision
• Provide an endorsement letter from an endorsing body
• If applicable demonstrate that you have either invested or have available to invest £50,000 in your business
• Not fail under the general grounds for refusal
• Meet the requirements for English language
• Meet the requirements for maintenance
• Not fail any reasonably required credibility assessment

Endorsement letter for UK Innovator Visa category:

The endorsement letter from an approved endorsing body must provide all of the following information:

• The name of endorsing body
• The endorsement reference number
• The date of issue (which must be no earlier than 3 months before the date of application)
• The applicant’s name, date of birth, nationality and passport number
• A short description of the applicant’s business venture and the products or services it provides (or will provide) to its customers
• The name and contact details of an individual at the endorsing body who can verify the contents of the letter to the Home Office
• The applicant’s business venture is innovative, viable and scalable
• The endorsing body is reasonably satisfied that the applicant will spend their entire working time in the UK on developing business ventures

Switching into UK Innovator visa category:

Switching into the Innovator route of you have, or were last granted, leave as a: Start-up migrant, Tier 1 (Graduate Entrepreneur) migrant, Tier 1 (Entrepreneur) migrant, Tier 2 migrant or a visitor who has been undertaking permitted activities as a prospective entrepreneur.

Can you work under UK Innovator visa:

You are not allowed to take up employment other than working for the business or businesses you have established, joined or taken over. However, this does not include any work you do in line with a contract of service or apprenticeship with another business whether express or implied.

Can you bring family members under the UK Innovator visa:

As UK Innovator visa holder, you have the right to bring your dependents to the UK. A dependant can be your spouse, civil partner or unmarried partner, child under 18.

How long UK Innovator visa is valid for:

Leave is normally granted for 3 years for entry clearance, 3 years for switching, 3 years for extensions.

English language requirement for UK Innovator visa:

You must have at least a B2 level of English language ability, as defined in the Council of Europe’s common European framework for language and learn.

Maintenance requirement for UK Innovator visa:

You must show that you have at least £945 of available funds, plus £630 funds for each dependant.

Indefinite leave to remain for UK Innovator visa holders:

You must complete a continuous residence period of 3 or 5 years in an eligible immigration category, depending on the level of investment and business activity in the UK. You must show that you are engaged in business activity at the time of your indefinite leave to remain application in the Innovator visa category.

Indefinite Leave to remain or settlement endorsement requirement for UK Innovator visa:

Where you are making an application for settlement you must provide an endorsement letter which must confirm all of the following:

• The name of endorsing body
• The endorsement reference number
• The date of issue (which must be no earlier than 3 months before the date of application)
• The applicant’s name, date of birth, nationality and passport number
• Ashort description of the applicant’s business venture and the products or services it provides (or will provide) to its customers
• The name and contact details of an individual at the endorsing body who can verify the contents of the letter to the Home Office
• The applicant has shown significant achievements judged against the business plan assessed in their previous endorsement
• The applicant’s business is registered with Companies House and the applicant is listed as a director or member of that business
• The business is active and trading
• The business appears to be sustainable for at least the following 12 months based on its assets and expected income, weighted against its current and planned expenses
• The applicant has demonstrated an active key role in the day-to-day management and development of the business
• The applicant’s business venture meets at least two of the settlement success criteria

What happens if your UK Innovator visa application is refused:

Should you fail to meet the requirements, it is likely that any future applications for temporary migration (such as a visit visa) will be subjected to greater scrutiny.

At Aaryan Solicitors, team of our immigration law specialists’ can advise you on the merits of making a fresh application and/or challenging the decision by way of process called Administrative Review. If the application was submitted from outside the UK (entry clearance), then you will have 28 days but in all other cases 14 days from the date of service of the decision to lodge Administrative Review.

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