program
United Kingdom - Innovator/Founder VisaBusiness Migration
United Kingdom Innovator/Founder Visa Program Overview
Minimum Investment
£50,000
Minimum Investment
N/A Real Estate
Time to Residency
6 Months
Visa-free Access
1 Country
United Kingdom Innovator Founder Visa Requirements
In October 1994 the United Kingdom introduced a program which provided granting of a residence visa to non-EEA (and non-Swiss) nationals who invested in its territory (‘the Immigrant Investor program’). In February 2008 a Points Based System (PBS) for managed migration from outside the EEA was introduced, replacing the old work permit system.
To be able to apply for this program, you should be at least 18 years of age, in good health, and without a criminal record.
Main Applicant Requirements
- 18+ years of age
- Good health
- No criminal record
- Successfully pass due diligence checks
Eligible Dependents
- Spouse of the main applicant
- Adult children (biological or adopted) under 18 years of age
United Kingdom Innovator/Founder Visa Benefits
Business & Employment
You are authorised to work for your employer’s UK entity.
Health & Education
Access to world-class health services and high standard education opportunities for you and your family.
Straightforward Process
Designed to be a smooth and straightforward process, with a quick application turnaround time.
Pathway to citizenship
After 5 years, you may be eligible for UK citizenship by naturalisation.
Tax Relief
You may be eligible for the non-domicile tax regime, limiting tax liability on foreign income to what you remit to the UK.
Dual Citizenship permitted
There is no need to renounce your current citizenship(s), and your home authorities are not notified of your new citizenship.
UNITED KINGDOM - INNOVATOR/FOUNDER VISA | Business Migration
Legal Basis
Based on the Immigration Rules part 6A: the Points-based system (paragraphs 245AAA to 245ZZE) of the UK law, an individual fulfiling the requirements stated can apply to be granted entry, indefinite leave to remain and subsequently if eligible British citizenship by naturalisation.
Costs of United Kingdom Innovator/Founder Visa
Main Applicant
GBP 1,036
Each dependent
GBP 1,036
Main Applicant
GBP 1,292
Each dependent
GBP 1,292
per person
GBP 1,872
per person
GBP 19.20
Main Applicant
GBP 1,270
Spouse
GBP 285
First child
GBP 315
Each additional dependant
GBP 200
Application Process For United Kingdom Innovator/Founder Visa
Application Process for United Kingdom Innovator/Founder Visa
6 Months
- Step 1Savory and Partners will have an initial consultation meeting with the applicant where we will check that you are able to satisfy the general eligibility requirements of the Immigration Rules for an innovator-founder visa.
- Step 2The applicant will have to make a down payment for our professional fees and signs an engagement agreement with Savory and Partners to provide them with assistance and advice throughout their application for the program.
- Step 3All endorsing bodies require applicants to demonstrate that they have an innovative, viable, and scalable business idea. Savory and partners will listen to your concept and advise as to whether it is appropriate to take forward to an endorsing body.
- Step 4Having successfully completed the above stages, Savory and partners will formally introduce you to an expert business plan writer to fully develop the business idea after which we will share your business plan to up to 3 Home Office approved endorsing bodies.
- Step 5The endorsing body will have an initial consultation with the applicant where you can pitch your concept and business plan.
- Step 6The endorsing body will need to know everything about you and the source of your funds. Once the due diligence process is completed, the endorsing body will issue the applicant an endorsement letter.
- Step 7After the endorsement letter is secured, Savory and partners will prepare your Innovator-Founder visa application and submit it to the Home Office.
- Step 8Once your Innovator-Founder visa application has been approved by the Home Office, you will be able to enter the UK to start deploying your investment funds and developing your business concept.
PORTUGAL | RESIDENCY BY INVESTMENT
READY TO APPLY?
Visa-free Countries for United Kingdom Innovator/Founder Visa
Visa-free and visa-on-arrival countries
1 Country & Territory
With the United Kingdom Permanent Residency you can travel to the following countries:
- The United Kingdom
Client Success Stories
Business Expansion in the UK
The Challenge
A Palestinian business owner based in Dubai approached us with a key challenge: He was thriving in the UAE but had big dreams of expanding his business into Europe, starting with the UK. The problem? As a majority shareholder in his company, he didn’t qualify for the sole representative visa—the usual pathway for this kind of situation.
To make matters worse, the sole representative visa program was discontinued just as he came to us in May 2022. Still, our client was determined to make it work, and we knew we had to find a solution.
Our Solution
After hearing his story and understanding his goals, we recommended the UK Expansion Worker Visa. This visa is perfect for senior managers or specialists who want to set up a branch of their company in the UK. It wasn’t going to be easy, but we saw his potential and got to work.
Here’s what we did: we helped him collect all the right evidence to prove that his business in the UAE was not only thriving but ready to take on the UK market. We showed the authorities past and upcoming projects with UK clients, making it clear that a UK branch wasn’t just a nice idea—it was a necessity.
The Result
Thanks to the solid case we built, our client got the visa. Now, he’s setting up his UK branch and taking his business to the next level. But that’s not all. This visa also opens the door for him to apply for indefinite leave to remain (ILR) after five years.
And because he’s eyeing even bigger opportunities across Europe, we’re also helping him acquire a Caribbean passport. With that, he’ll have visa-free access to over 150 countries—making his global expansion dreams a reality.
Why Choose the UK Expansion Worker Visa?
The UK Expansion Worker Visa lets you stay in the UK for one of two durations—whichever comes first:
- 12 months from the start date of the job listed on your certificate of sponsorship, or
- The duration specified on your certificate of sponsorship, plus an extra 14 days.
If you need more time, you can extend it for another 12 months, up to a total of two years under this visa.
Download brochure
Content
- United Kingdom Country profile
- Benefits of the program
- Investment requirements
- Investment process
Length
4 pages
Language
English & Arabic
size
1 mb
ABOUT UNITED KINGDOM
CAPITAL
London
TOTAL AREA
243,610 km²
POPULATION
66.97 million
LANGUAGE(S)
English
CURRENCY
Pound Sterling (£)
EXCHANGE RATE
£1 = USD 1.28
GDP – PER CAPITA (2022)
USD 46,125.26
GDP – TOTAL (2022)
USD 3.089 trillion
About the United Kingdom
The United Kingdom is an island state consisting of four countries: England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales, and spanning an archipelago including Great Britain, the north-eastern part of the island of Ireland, and many small islands. The total area of the UK is approximately 243,610 square kilometres (94,060 sq. miles). England is one of the most densely populated countries in the world with an estimated population density of 401 people resident per sqm. The capital is London, which is among the world’s leading commercial, financial, and cultural centres.
The United Kingdom has a temperate climate, with plentiful rainfall all year round. The temperature varies with the seasons but seldom drops below −10 °C (14.0 °F) or rises above 35 °C (95 °F). The United Kingdom is a leading global trading nation, being the second largest exporter and third largest importer of commercial services. The United Kingdom has a low unemployment rate and is one of the most competitive locations in Europe for business and personal taxation. The United Kingdom remains the most attractive destination for Foreign Direct Investment into Europe.
His Majesty King Charles III ascended to the throne in September 2022, on the death of his mother Queen Elizabeth II. He is also head of state of several independent countries in the Commonwealth. The United Kingdom retains links with parts of its former empire through the Commonwealth. It also benefits from historical and cultural links with the United States and is a member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).
Where is the United Kingdom?
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (UK) is an island country that sits north-west of mainland Europe. It is made up of mainland Great Britain (England, Wales and Scotland) and the northern part of the island of Ireland (Northern Ireland). It has numerous smaller islands.
UNITED KINGDOM - INNOVATOR/FOUNDER VISA | Business Migration
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