Your initial Innovator visa will be valid for 3 years. 
It is possible to extend an Innovator visa for periods of 3 years at a time.  There is no maximum time limit in the category.


You will be able to apply for indefinite leave to remain (permanent residence) after spending 3 years in the Innovator visa category.
 In order to qualify for indefinite leave to remain as an Innovator you must again be endorsed by an approved UK endorsing body that is satisfied that you have shown significant achievements judged against the business plan assessed in your previous endorsement, you are a registered with Companies House as a Director or Member of your business, your business is active, trading and appears sustainable for at least the following 12 months, you have had an active key role in the day-to-day management and development of the business and you will spend your entire working time in the UK on developing your business ventures.

You will also have to satisfy at least two of the following:

• At least £50,000 has been invested into the business and actively spent furthering your business plan;
• The business has created the equivalent of at least 5 full-time jobs for resident workers, which have an average salary for at least £25,000 a year;
• The business has created the equivalent of at least 10 full-time jobs for resident workers with no average salary requirement;
• The number of customers has at least doubled within the most recent 3 years and is currently higher than the mean number of customers for other UK businesses offering comparable main products or services;
• The business has engaged in significant research and development activity and has applied for intellectual property protection in the UK;
• The business has generated a minimum annual gross revenue of £1 million in the last full year covered by its accounts;
• The business has generated a minimum annual gross revenue of £500,000 in the last full year covered by its accounts, with at least £100,000 from exporting overseas.

In order to qualify for settlement you will also need to have spent not more than 180 days outside the UK in any rolling 12 month period during the 3 year period of your visa and have sufficient knowledge of English and Life in the UK.


You will need to stay in contact with your endorsing body with checkpoints at 6, 12 and 24 months after your application is successful.  The endorsing body will need to be satisfied that you are continuing to work on your business venture and have demonstrated reasonable progress in relation to either your original or a new business idea that is innovative, scalable and viable. Your endorsement may be withdrawn and your leave curtailed if this is not the case.