Innovator Founder Visa Route Application Guide

The Innovator and Start-up routes first opened in Spring 2019, with the view of replacing the Tier 1 (Entrepreneur) route. The introduction of these routes took the decision making power regarding the viability of a business from the Home Office, instead giving it to business experts in the form of Endorsing Bodies, an approved list of organisations as decided by the Home Office. These routes have not been without criticism, so the news received on 09 March 2023, that the routes are to be replaced with one single route – the Innovator Founder Visa route – did not come as a huge surprise.

The new Innovator Founder Visa route will open on 13 April 2023. This articles takes a look at the new Innovator Founder route, answers a number of frequently asked questions regarding the Innovator Founder route and examines the changes from the Innovator and Start-up routes.