Does the Innovator Founder visa lead to Indefinite Leave to Remain?

The new Innovator Founder route was introduced in the Home Office’s most recent Statement of Changes to the Immigration Rules replacing the initial Innovator visa route.

The Innovator Founder route, which came into force on the 13 April 2023, aims to provide more flexibility to its applicants by allowing more innovative entrepreneurs to enter the UK and set up their business. In order to qualify for this visa category the business idea must be new, innovative, viable and scaleable. The bar to passing these requirements remains as high as it was under the old Innovator route, and endorsement of the business idea by a government-appointed body is still part of the application process.

Innovator Founder visas are valid for 3 years and can lead to Indefinite Leave to Remain (“ILR”) in the UK at the end of this period.

To qualify for ILR as an Innovator Founder, you will need to satisfy a number of requirements. Some examples are showing significant achievements against your business plan submitted with your previous application, providing evidence that your business is active and trading, and evidencing investment in your business and/or the creation of jobs for settled workers, and/or an increase in the business’ annual gross revenue.

As with other UK visa routes which lead to settlement, you must have not spent more than 180 days outside the UK in any rolling 12-month period during the 3 years you are relying on for ILR, and you need to have sufficient knowledge of the English language and life in the UK.

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