United Kingdom Innovator Founder Visa

Value: what the Innovator Founder Visa gives you

Passport: visa-free destinations

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Years to permanent residence

3 yearsOfficialUK Home Office, checked 2026-11-15Earliest qualifying route; business settlement tests also apply.

Years to citizenship

5 yearsOfficialUK Home Office, checked 2026-11-15Ordinary non-spouse route: five years residence and at least twelve months with ILR; earliest three-year ILR branch assumed.

Leads to citizenship

YesOfficialUK Home Office, checked 2026-11-15Qualifying lawful residence may lead to ordinary naturalisation.

Can work for a local employer

YesOfficialUK Home Office, checked 2026-11-15Founder outside employment requires level3 qualification or above.

Spouse and children included

YesOfficialUK Home Office, checked 2026-11-15Eligible partner and children may apply as dependents.

Public healthcare

YesOfficialUK Home Office, checked 2026-11-15NHS access starts with the visa after the required IHS payment.

Minimum stay per year

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Tax on foreign income

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Dual citizenship allowed

YesOfficialUK Home Office, checked 2026-11-15UK permits dual nationality; the other country may impose restrictions.

Rule changes, last 24 months

Under reviewOfficialUK Home Office, checked 2026-11-15November 2026 earned-settlement response announces reforms; current visa route requirements remain the measured basis.

Cost: what the Innovator Founder Visa costs over five years

Government fees

$1,794.85OfficialUK Home Office, checked 2026-11-15GBP 1,357.00. Outside-UK first application; endorsement is a separate provider charge. Conversion: GBP 1357 to USD at 2026-11-13 reference rates.

Non-refundable contribution

$0OfficialUK Home Office, checked 2026-11-15No government donation is part of the published eligibility requirements.

Due diligence

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Compulsory extras, first year

CheckingOfficialUK Home Office, checked 2026-11-15IHS is paid upfront for the full grant; GBP1,000 endorsement and two GBP500 contact meetings also apply.

Renewal fees, first 5 years

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Investment you may get back

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Minimum income per month

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Extra for a spouse and two children

$5,384.54OfficialUK Home Office, checked 2026-11-15GBP 4,071.00. Three dependent application fees; IHS and optional services excluded. Conversion: GBP 4071 to USD at 2026-11-13 reference rates.

Typical adviser fees (not in the total)

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USD estimates use the European Central Bank reference rates of 13 November 2026, the Central Bank of Armenia and the Central Bank of the UAE for AMD and AED, and the Panamanian balboa’s official one-to-one parity with the US dollar.

Speed: how long the Innovator Founder Visa takes

Official processing time

21 daysOfficialUK Home Office, checked 2026-11-15Three weeks for an outside-UK complete visa application; endorsement stage is additional where required.

Reported processing time (median)

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Approval to card or passport

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Sources

1. Innovator Founder Visa, UK Home Office. Checked 2026-11-15.
2. Citizenship with indefinite leave to remain, UK Home Office. Checked 2026-11-15.
3. Immigration health surcharge and NHS access, UK Home Office. Checked 2026-11-15.
4. Dual citizenship, UK Home Office. Checked 2026-11-15.
5. Earned settlement consultation response, 12 November 2026, UK Home Office. Checked 2026-11-15.

Every figure on this page last reviewed 2026-11-15. General information, not legal advice. Spotted an error? Email us from the contact page.

Related programs

• AU Australia National Innovation Visa (Subclass 858)
• FR France Talent — Project Leader: Company Creation
• FR France Talent — Project Leader: Innovative Economic Project
• IE Ireland Start-up Entrepreneur Programme (STEP)
• JP Japan J-Find: Future Creation Individual
• NL Netherlands Start-up Residence Permit

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