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UK Innovator Visa
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 European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland
- you meet the other eligibility requirements
- your business or business idea has been endorsed by an approved body
Funds you’ll need
- You must have at least £50,000 in investment funds if you want to set up a new business. You do not need funds if either:
- your business is already established and has been endorsed for an earlier visa
- you’ve changed your business and already agreed it with your endorsing body
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 can apply to extend for another 3 years when your visa is due to expire. There’s no limit on the number of times you can extend.
- You may be able to apply for settlement (known as ‘indefinite leave to remain’) once you’ve been in the UK for 3 years.
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
