UK Business Immigration: Innovator Founder & Global Talent
UK Innovator Founder Visa, High Potential Individual (HPI), Global Talent, and investor routes. Entity formation and visa application sequenced together.
What Immigration & Relocation includes in the UK
What you receive
How it works
Useful materials
Where to register and how we differ
Immigration & Relocation in the UK — frequently asked questions
The Innovator Founder Visa is the UK's primary visa route for entrepreneurs launching a new business. There is no minimum investment requirement. Applicants must have a business idea endorsed by an approved endorsing body (such as Innovate UK, a registered accelerator, or a UK university). The business must be innovative, viable, and scalable. Successful applicants receive a 3-year visa with permission to work for their endorsed business.
Requirements include: (1) An endorsement letter from an FCA-approved endorsing body confirming the business is innovative, viable, and scalable. (2) English language proficiency at B2 level (CEFR). (3) Maintenance funds of at least £1,270 held for 28 consecutive days before applying. (4) The business must not have been previously registered in the UK. The Home Office application fee is £1,191 (outside the UK) plus the Immigration Health Surcharge (currently £1,035/year).
The High Potential Individual (HPI) visa is a 2-year (or 3-year for PhD holders) visa for recent graduates of top global universities ranked in the top 50 in at least two of three ranking tables (QS, THE, or ARWU). No job offer is required. Graduates must have obtained their degree within the last 5 years. The HPI visa permits work in any capacity and is a pathway to Skilled Worker and eventual settlement.
The Global Talent Visa is for individuals who are leaders or emerging leaders in digital technology, arts/culture, or academia/research. For tech, endorsement is provided by Tech Nation (now replaced by organisations including UKRI). Applicants must demonstrate exceptional talent (established leaders) or exceptional promise (emerging talent). There is no minimum salary requirement, and the route leads to Indefinite Leave to Remain after 3–5 years depending on the track.
Yes. To sponsor a Skilled Worker visa, the UK employer must hold a valid Sponsor Licence from the Home Office. The role must be at skill level RQF Level 3 or above and pay at least the minimum salary threshold (£38,700 as of April 2024 for most roles, with lower thresholds for shortage occupations). A Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) is assigned to each sponsored worker. Sponsor Licence applications cost £536 for small businesses.