Innovator Visa

The new innovator and start-up visas replace the Tier 1 (Entrepreneur) route which is now closed to new applicants, and the Tier 1 (Graduate Entrepreneur) route which will close from 6 July 2020

All applicants for these visas must now have the endorsement of an organisation certifying that their business is innovative, viable and scalable. Start-up applicants do not however need any funding secured — innovator applicants must have £50,000 lined up — and need only be seeking to break into national as opposed to international markets.

You can apply for an Innovator visa if:

• you want to set up or run a business in the UK
• you’re from outside the EU
• you meet the all of the criteria
• your business or business idea has been endorsed by an approved body. ( I will find the appropriate body when you tell me what business you are planning to start.)
• You must have at least £50,000 in investment funds if you want to set up a new business.
You must be able to show that your business idea is:
• a new idea – you cannot join or invest in a business that is already trading
• viable, with potential for growth

How long it takes to get a visa

The earliest you can apply is 3 months before you travel. But due to the corona virus, you will be allowed to apply for this in the UK whilst you are here.
You should get a decision on your visa within 3 weeks when you apply from outside the UK, it may take a little longer in the UK due to the current circumstances.

How long you can stay 

You can stay for 3 years if you:
• come to the UK on an Innovator visa
• switch to this visa from another visa
• You may be able to apply for settlement (known as ‘indefinite leave to remain’) once you’ve been in the UK for 3 years or extend as many times as you wish.

What you can and cannot do

You can:
• set up a business or several businesses
• work for your business – this includes being employed as a director, or self-employed as a member of a business partnership
• bring family members with you

You cannot:
• do any work outside your business, for example work where you’re employed by another business
• work as a doctor or dentist in training
• work as a professional sportsperson, for example a sports coach
• get public funds

Before you apply you need to have your business or business idea assessed by an approved body.
They will provide you with an endorsement letter if your business is viable.

You must also:

• meet the English language requirement
• be at least 18 years old
• be able to prove that you have enough personal savings to support yourself while you’re in the UK.

If you want to set up a new business

You must have at least £50,000 in investment funds to apply for an Innovator visa if you want to set up a new business.
Your funding can come from any source.
You do not need any investment funds if your business is already established and has been endorsed for an earlier visa.
Supporting yourself
You need to have had at least £945 in your bank account for 90 consecutive days before you apply.

You cannot use either of the following to support yourself:

• money from your investment funds
• money earned while working in the UK illegally

Why Choose Us?

By choosing Global Law to assist you with your application you will receive one-to-one case management. One of our Consultants will manage your application from start to finish. Our Immigration adviser is an EX-Home Office Immigration Officer who has the very best in knowledge and experience, which will be used on your case.

What to do next?

Please call us on 0207 504 1306  or simply fill in our Free Enquiry No Obligation Form at the top of this page and we will call you back quickly
We will treat your enquiry as important and confidential and we will not pass your personal details to any third parties for marketing purposes. Global Law are authorised and regulated by the OISC.

Applying for the Tier 1 Investor Visa with Global Law is ideal for individuals preparing significant investment in the United Kingdom. Those who are willing to invest £2 million or more are eligible to emigrate to the United Kingdom alongside their dependents. A successful applicant must meet the 75 Point total if they meet these two key criteria:
  • The money is completely in their control and disposable in the United Kingdom in a regulated financial institution at the value of £2 million or more.
  • They have opened a UK regulated bank with the intention of investment at the value of £2 million or more.
If you are interested in this great opportunity and meet the criteria we have expanded on this fully further throughout this page. Through the Tier 1 Investor Visa route you may be able to settle permanently in the United Kingdom: Applications for settlement will be considered after 5 years with an investment of £2 million. Applications for settlement will be considered after 3 years with an investment of £5 million. Applications for settlement will be considered after 2 years with an investment of £10 million. Application fees for the Tier 1 investor visa are £1,623 and the same fee for extension or applying as family member. Immigration health surcharge is then paid as part of the application. The earliest you can apply before you travel is 3 months and the processing time for the outcome is usually within 8 weeks using standard service or 5 working days when using priority service. (Please be aware these fees do increase; fees can be found on the Gov.uk website.) Your application can be affected because of your previous immigration history based on the general grounds for refusal listed in the Immigration Rules UK. What are the requirements and what is permitted? You must demonstrate that you are willing and able to invest a total of £2 million or more and that you have control and provenance of these funds. These funds can either be held by yourself or jointly with a partner or spouse as long as you have the unrestricted right to transfer and dispose of the funds in the UK with the permission of your partner. These funds can be held in one or multiple bank accounts and must be disposable to you. You must be at least 18 years of age and the assets and investment must be solely in your control. These funds must be held for a minimum of 2 years in a regulated financial institution and the source of them needs to be provided. Controls over the transfer of currency are regulated by many countries so therefore we must ensure your funds can be transferred to the United Kingdom — if they are not already in an account there. There may be international sanctions regimes which may affect the ability to transfer money into the United Kingdom and you must provide the necessary approval to demonstrate you can freely transfer the funds there. However, if your funds you will be using for investment have not been held consecutively for 2 years, the Home Office may consider gifted funds, deeds of sale, evidence from a business, will, divorce settlement or award/winning. As aforementioned these funds must be solely in your control and disposable in the United Kingdom and the source must be provided with the appropriate evidence. The third party involved in the sourcing of these funds must also be conducive to the public good so the character, conduct and association must meet approval. Assets or possessions are not eligible as evidence of funds. The funds which you are willing to invest must be acquired, transferred, or sourced lawfully by UK law. The funds can be held in an overseas financial institution and must be able to pass verification checks deemed satisfactory. Funds can be in a foreign currency and will be converted to pounds sterling on the application date. Furthermore, you must open a bank account for the purpose of investment of the necessary, funds 2 million or more, within the United Kingdom. You are not required to pass a language test as although you are permitted to work you should not need to as a high net worth individual. In addition to that there are no maintenance fund requirements, meaning money to support yourself and dependents, as you should be able to with the money you have accrued. You must be aware you are not able to claim most of the benefits that are state paid. You are permitted to work except as a professional sportsperson or sports coach. You cannot work as dentist or doctor in training unless you have a primary degree at bachelors’ level or above in medicine or dentistry from a UK institution that holds a student sponsor licence or is a UK-recognised or listed body or if you worked as a doctor/dentist in training the last time you were in the UK. Or neither of those conditions were part of the terms and conditions on a previous visa. If you are entering from certain countries, you may have to register with the police. You must provide a valid overseas criminal record certificate for any country you have resided in for continuously or cumulatively for over 12 months for a period of 10 years prior to your application with an English translation if necessary. This certificate must be dated no more than 6 months prior to the application or within the expressed expiry of the document if this may be shorter. If you are unable to provide this documentation due to your country not producing or for any other reason, we must provide evidence for the Home Office to waive this requirement which we will include in our covering letter. What We Can Offer You: A detailed assessment of your personal circumstances Ensure that you have the correct documentation to strengthen your case The completion of your application Submission of your application Regular updates of the application. Contact you with the confirmation of your results for your application. Why Choose Us? By choosing Global Law to assist you with your application you will receive one-to-one case management. One of our immigration Consultants will manage your application from start to finish. Our Immigration adviser is an Ex-Home Office Immigration Officer who has the very best in knowledge and experience, which will be used on your case. What to do next? Please call us on 020 7504 1306 or simply fill in our Free Enquiry No Obligation Form at the top of this page and we will call you back quickly We will treat your enquiry as important and confidential, and we will not pass your personal details to any third parties for marketing purposes. Global Law are authorised and regulated by the OISC