This visa route allows an overseas national to enter or switch if already in the UK if they possess an Innovative, Viable and Scalable business idea and can obtain endorsement from one of the UKVI-approved endorsing bodies.

The visa is issued for 2 years and if you can provide:

• English at or above B2 on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).
• Obtain an endorsement that you have an innovative, viable and scaleable business idea.
• Meet other criteria requirements.

When you contact an approved endorsing body, they would expect you to provide ther following:

• Business plan which is unique
• Financial forecasting.

If your business idea is not innovative, scalable and viable, you will not get endorsement.

To find an endorsing body go to this link.

One of the approved bodies must issue you a letter and reference to meet the immigration rules.

Note: You must have been issued with an endorsement letter by an endorsing body no more than 3 months before the date of your visa application and that endorsement must not have been withdrawn.

When you present your business idea to the endorsing body, they must be satisfied that you are either the sole founder of the business or an instrumental member of the founding team.

You cannot be part of a UK business that is already been established.

This initial visa is approved for 3 years as long as you meet the criteria.

You are permitted to extend this visa usually for 3 years unless you meet the immigration rules to settle once held this visa for 3 years.

You are permitted to switch to this visa type if you hold a valid UK visa.

If you hold one of these visa types, you cannot switch whilst in the UK:

• on a Visitor visa; or
• on a Short-term student visa; or
• on a Parent of a Child Student visa; or
• on a Seasonal worker visa; or
• on a domestic worker in a private household visa; or
• outside the immigration rules.

You can:

• Set up a UK business or several UK businesses.
• Work for your business which can include being employed as a director, or self-employed as a member of a business partnership.
• Do work outside of your business, as long as it is 'skilled work’ - for example, a job on the Skilled Worker eligible occupations list or a job needing at least a level 3 qualification.
• bring your partner and children with you as your ‘dependants’, if they’re eligible
• travel abroad and return to the UK
• apply to settle permanently in the UK (also known as ‘indefinite leave to remain’) if you’ve lived in the UK for 3 years and meet the other eligibility requirements

You cannot:

• Work as a professional sportsperson, for example a sports coach.
• apply for most benefits (public funds), or the State Pension.

Below are the areas where immigration rules apply to this visa type. You have:

• Validity requirements for an Innovator Founder.
• Suitability requirements for an Innovator Founder.
• Eligibility requirements for an Innovator Founder.
• Settlement by an Innovator Founder.
• Dependants of an Innovator Founder.
• Settlement for partner and child on the Innovator Founder route.
• Eligibility requirements for settlement by a partner and child on the Innovator Founder route.

To explore these rules click here.

To read the generic guidance for this visa route click here.

To read the casworker visa guidance click here.

If you are a leader or potential leader in one of the following:

• Academic or research
• Arts and culture
• Digital technology

you can apply under this visa route but you will need endorsement from one of these 3 bodies.

To explore more about this visa route click here.

You can apply for this visa without an endorsement if you have won an eligible award. Click here to explore more about awards.

If you require endorsement you must complete the specific Stage 1 form. Note: If you are applying for endorsement via the Tech Nation, you must also complete an additional form.

Stage two is the visa process so yuo can skip Stage 1 if you meet the eligible prize criteria.

When you present your business idea to the endorsing body, they must be satisfied you are either the sole founder of the business or an instrumental member of the founding team.

You cannot be part of a UK business that is already established.

To help you understand how the Home Office evaluates this visa route, click here to learn more.

This visa is approved for up to 5 years.

You can extend this visa for 5 years and keep extending for 5 years if you meet the eligibility requirenebts.

You are permitted to switch to this visa type if you hold a valid UK visa.

If you hold one of these visa types, you cannot switch within the UK:

• on a visit visa
• on a short-term student visa
• on a Parent of a Child Student visa
• on a seasonal worker visa
• on a domestic worker in a private household visa
• on immigration bail
• because you were given permission to stay outside the immigration rules, for example on compassionate grounds.

You can:

• Bring your partner and children with you as your ‘dependants’, if they are eligible.
• Travel abroad and return to the UK.

You cannot:

• Work as a professional sportsperson, for example a sports coach.
• Settle in the UK via this visa route.
• Apply for public funds.

Below are the areas where immigration rules apply to this visa type. You have:

• Part 1- Global Talent Endorsement application
• Arts and Culture endorsement
• Architecture endorsement
• Fashion Design Industry endorsement
• Film and Television endorsement
• Digital Technology endorsement
• Science, engineering, humanities and medicine fields endorsement
• Fast track endorsement
• Full peer review endorsement
• Part 2- Application for entry clearance or permission on the Global Talent Route
• Suitability Requirements for Global Talent route
• Eligibility Requirements for Global Talent route
• Settlement by a person on the Global Talent route
• Eligibility requirements for settlement by a person on the Global Talent route
• Dependants on the Global Talent route
• Eligibility requirements for a dependent partner or dependent child on the Global Talent route
• Settlement as a dependent partner or dependent child on the Global Talent route
• Eligibility requirements for settlement as a dependent partner or dependent child on the Global Talent route.

To explore these rules click here.

To read the generic guidance for short-term visas click here.

To read the casworker visa guidance click here.