UK Innovator Founder Visa 2026: Endorsement, Funds and the Realistic Bar
There is no £50,000 investment requirement anymore — but you still need an endorsing body to back a business that is innovative, viable and scalable. That bar is higher than the funds rule ever was.
The Innovator Founder visa is the UK's route for people coming to build a new business. It replaced the old Innovator and Start-up visas, and in 2026 the thing to understand is that the hard part is not money — it is the endorsement.
No more £50,000 investment rule
The previous requirement to have £50,000 of investment funds has been removed. There is no fixed minimum investment. What replaced it is not softer, though: your endorsing body will still expect your business plan to show that you can realistically fund the business you have described, from lawful sources.
The endorsement is the visa
Before you can apply to UK Visas and Immigration, an authorised endorsing body must approve your business idea. They assess it against three tests plus a "new" condition. Your business must be:
- Innovative — an original idea, clearly different from what already exists in the market.
- Viable — a realistic plan, with the skills, knowledge and experience to deliver it.
- Scalable — structured for job creation and growth into national or international markets.
- New — not already trading in the UK.
Endorsing bodies are selective. A generic e-commerce store, a consultancy that is really just you contracting, or a "me-too" app will not clear the innovative and scalable tests. You are pitching to people who see a lot of business plans.
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After you are on the visa, the endorsing body checks in with you at set points (around 12 and 24 months) to confirm you are making reasonable progress against your plan. Lose the endorsement and the visa is at risk.
The money you do need to show
For the visa application itself, if you are applying from overseas (or have been in the UK less than 12 months), you must show £1,270 for yourself, held for a 28-day period, for maintenance. Dependants need additional maintenance funds.
The route to settlement
The Innovator Founder visa can lead to Indefinite Leave to Remain after 3 years if your business meets specific criteria at that point — for example, evidence of investment into the business and job creation, or significant revenue growth. Check the current settlement criteria, as they are detailed and can change.
Is this the right route for you?
Be honest about the business. If it is genuinely innovative and you can get an endorsing body excited, this is a strong route with a fast settlement timeline. If it is a solid but conventional business, you will likely be refused endorsement and should look at other routes — the [Skilled Worker visa](/blog/uk-skilled-worker-visa-2026), the [High Potential Individual visa](/blog/uk-high-potential-individual-visa-2026) if you graduated from a qualifying university, or the [Global Talent route](/countries/uk/visas).
A free [Evaluation](/evaluation) will show you which UK routes you actually score well on.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need £50,000 to apply for the Innovator Founder visa?+
No. That requirement was removed. There is no fixed investment minimum, but your endorsing body must be satisfied you can realistically fund the business in your plan.
What is an endorsing body?+
An organisation authorised by the Home Office to assess and endorse business ideas for this visa. You must secure endorsement before you can apply, and keep it through contact-point reviews.
How much maintenance money do I need to show?+
£1,270 for yourself, held for 28 consecutive days, if applying from overseas or if you have been in the UK for less than 12 months. Add maintenance funds for any dependants.
How quickly can the Innovator Founder visa lead to permanent residence?+
It can lead to settlement after 3 years if the business meets the settlement criteria (investment, jobs, revenue growth). Not every business will meet them in that time.
Can I work a normal job on the Innovator Founder visa?+
The visa is for running your endorsed business. Limited additional work is allowed in some circumstances, but the visa is not designed for you to be primarily an employee — that is what the Skilled Worker route is for. --- *ImmigraPath is not a law firm and this is not legal advice. Rules and fees change — confirm everything against the official government page for your visa, or with a licensed adviser, before you apply.*
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