An applicant of a “new business” must demonstrate the criteria of following separate categories to be endorsed:

Innovation: The applicant has a genuine, original business plan that meets new or existing market needs and/or creates a competitive advantage.

Viability: The applicant has the necessary skills, knowledge, experience and market awareness to successfully run the business.

Scalability: There is evidence of structured planning and of potential for job creation and growth into national and international markets.

Furthermore, the endorsing body must be satisfied that the applicant will spend their entire working time in the UK on developing business ventures.

You will need to stay in contact with your endorsing body with checkpoints at 6, 12 and 24 months after your application is successful. The endorsing body will need to be satisfied that you are continuing to work on your business venture and have demonstrated reasonable progress in relation to either your original or a new business idea that is innovative, scalable and viable. Your endorsement may be withdrawn and your leave curtailed if this is not the case.

Your partner and any children under the age of 18 may accompany or join you as your dependant(s). 


You are at least 18 years old;

If you are applying to enter the Innovator visa category for the first time (either from overseas or in-country with leave as a Tier 1 Entrepreneur, Tier 2 General migrant, Tier 2 ICT migrant or Prospective Entrepreneur), you have at least £50,000 available to invest in your business or have already invested £50,000 in your business. You must also have been endorsed by an approved UK endorsing body that has positively assessed your new business idea for innovation, viability and scalability and is satisfied that you will spend your entire working time in the UK on developing your business venture;

You genuinely intend to undertake, and are capable of undertaking, any work or business activity in the UK stated in your application;

You do not intend to work in the UK other than for the business(es) you have established;

Any money which you claim is available is genuinely available and you intend to use it for the purposes described in your application;

You are competent in the English language to at least CEFR Level B2 (equivalent to IELTS 5.5 in reading, writing, listening and speaking);

You have at least £945 (additional to any investment funds required) available to support yourself without relying on public funds.