Overview
If you have the intention to establish and operate an innovative business in the UK, particularly one that offers a unique product or service that stands apart from existing offerings in the market, you can apply for an Innovator visa. To be eligible, your business concept or existing business must receive endorsement from an approved endorsing body, in addition to meeting other necessary requirements.
For individuals hailing from the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, or Liechtenstein, there is an opportunity to apply for the free EU Settlement Scheme if you or your family member began residing in the UK by 31 December 2020. While the majority of applicants had until 30 June 2021 to apply, certain circumstances may allow for a later deadline. This includes cases where you are joining a family member in the UK who met the residency requirement by the aforementioned date, or if you have valid “reasonable grounds” such as health issues or being a victim of domestic abuse. It is advisable to verify if you are still eligible to apply under the EU Settlement Scheme.
Otherwise, if you do not fall under the EU Settlement Scheme criteria, you will need to obtain a visa to work in the UK. However, it is important to note that Irish citizens are exempt from applying for a visa or registering with the EU Settlement Scheme.
Eligibility
In order to qualify for an Innovator visa, it is imperative that you demonstrate the following aspects of your business idea: Firstly, it must be a new venture, meaning you cannot join an existing business that is already operational. Secondly, your business idea must be innovative and distinguishable from anything currently available in the market. Lastly, your business should possess viability and potential for growth.
An essential requirement for the Innovator visa is proficiency in English language skills. This includes the ability to speak, read, write, and understand English. Generally, you will need to provide evidence of your English language proficiency when submitting your application.
If you do not meet the eligibility criteria for an Innovator visa, there might be alternative visa options available for you to work in the UK. It is advisable to explore these alternatives based on your specific circumstances.
Duration of stay
Regarding the duration of your stay, if you enter the UK on an Innovator visa or switch to this visa category from another visa while already in the UK, you will be granted a 3-year period of stay. If you wish to extend your stay beyond the initial 3-year period, you can apply for an extension. There is no limit to the number of times you can extend your visa.
Once you have resided in the UK for a continuous period of 3 years, you may be eligible to apply for settlement, which grants you the right to permanently reside in the UK.
How to apply
To apply for the visa, you must complete an online application. The specific application process varies depending on your circumstances. If you are outside the UK and planning to come to the country, or if you are already in the UK and seeking to extend your current visa or switch from a different visa category, you will follow different application procedures accordingly.
If your partner and children meet the eligibility criteria, they can also apply to join you or remain in the UK as your dependents.
The duration of the application process depends on various factors. As part of your application, you will be required to provide proof of your identity and submit relevant documents. It’s important to note that if you need to schedule an appointment for identity verification, you may need to allocate additional time for that process. The need for an appointment will be indicated during the initial stages of your application.
Getting a decision
After submitting your online application, completing the identity verification process, and submitting the required documents, you can typically expect a decision on your visa within a certain timeframe. If you are applying from outside the UK, the decision usually takes around 3 weeks. However, if you are already inside the UK, the decision may take up to 8 weeks.
In certain cases where an appointment is necessary, you may have the option to expedite the decision by paying an additional fee. The availability and process for expediting the decision vary depending on whether you are applying from outside the UK or from within the UK.