The innovator visa is a visa category established by the UK government for entrepreneurs who want to work in the UK. This is for those who want to set up and run an innovative business in the UK, it must be something that’s different from anything else on the market.
If your business or business idea has been endorsed by an approved body, also known as an endorsing body you meet the other eligibility requirements.
In case, you’re from the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, or Liechtenstein or if you or your close family member started living in the UK before 1 January 2021, you will be capable to use the free EU Settlement Scheme. Otherwise, you need a visa to work in the UK.
Irish citizens do not need to apply for a visa or to the European Union Settlement Scheme.
If you want to set up your innovative business in the UK then you need to show that your business idea is:
- New and Unique – You are not allowed to be apart of a business that is already registered
- innovative – you should have a unique business thought which is not quite the same as whatever else available
- Should be viable, with the hope of growth
- You must have an understanding of speaking, reading, and writing in English.
Whenever you have perused these conditions and afterward feel you are not qualified for this classification then you might be qualified for some other visa class like the skilled worker route.
For how much time you can
You can live in the UK for 3 years if you:
- Arrive in the UK under innovator visa
- Switch this visa while living in the UK
When you require to remain longer in the UK
- You can apply to prolong your visit for an additional 3 years when your visa is expected to lapse. There’s no restriction on the occasions you can expand.
- You might have the option to apply for settlement whenever you’ve been in the UK for a very long time.
If your endorsement is refused
Your visa can be taken when your endorsement is refused by the body. If you wish to remain longer, you should give your application again with a new endorsement prior to the expiry of your current visa.
How to apply
You are bound to apply online.
It depends on you if you are –
- Not living in the UK and are arriving in the UK
- Living in the UK and want to extend your prevailing visa
- Changing from another visa to this visa
- You can come with your spouse/wife/partner and children below 18+ in your application to live in the UK if they are suitable according to the visa rules.
How long will it take to get an innovator visa?
As a feature of your application, you’ll need to demonstrate your character and give your records.
You may have to permit additional time on the off chance that you need an appointment to do this. You’ll see whether you require one when you begin your application.
Receiving a decision
Whenever you’ve applied online, demonstrated your character, and gave your details, you’ll typically get a judgment on your visa inside:
- 3 weeks, in case you’re outside the UK
- two months, in case you’re inside the UK
On the off chance that you need to go to an appointment, you might have the option to pay for a quicker choice. How you do this relies upon whether you’re outside or inside the UK.
How much is the fee?
If you are submitting an application from outside of the UK, you will have to pay $1021 and the same amount for each child and your partner.
If you are submitting an application to extend the visa or switch the visa then you would have to pay $1277 and the same amount of money for your partner and each child.
