white-logo-01
Aerial View of Salisbury Cathedral, England | Savory & Partners
Crest of the United Kingdom

program

United Kingdom - Innovator/Founder VisaBusiness Migration

United Kingdom Innovator/Founder Visa Program Overview

Minimum Investment

£50,000

Minimum Investment

N/A Real Estate

Time to Residency

6 Months

Visa Free Access

190+ Countries & Territories (With UK passport)

United Kingdom Innovator Founder Visa Requirements

In October 1994 the United Kingdom introduced a program which provided granting of a residence visa to non-EEA (and non-Swiss) nationals who invested in its territory (‘the Immigrant Investor program’). In February 2008 a Points Based System (PBS) for managed migration from outside the EEA was introduced, replacing the old work permit system.

To be able to apply for this program, you should be at least 18 years of age, in good health, and without a criminal record.

Main Applicant Requirements

  • 18+ years of age
  • Good health
  • No criminal record
  • Successfully pass due diligence checks

Eligible Dependents

  • Spouse of the main applicant
  • Adult children (biological or adopted) under 18 years of age

United Kingdom Innovator/Founder Visa Benefits

Freedom of movement

Business & Employment

You are authorised to work for your employer’s UK entity.

Dual residency

Health & Education

Access to world-class health services and high standard education opportunities for you and your family.

Savory and Partners

Straightforward Process

Designed to be a smooth and straightforward process, with a quick application turnaround time.

Health & Education

Pathway to citizenship

After 5 years, you may be eligible for UK citizenship by naturalisation.

Savory and Partners

Tax Relief

You may be eligible for the non-domicile tax regime, limiting tax liability on foreign income to what you remit to the UK.

Savory and Partners

Dual Citizenship permitted

There is no need to renounce your current citizenship(s), and your home authorities are not notified of your new citizenship.

Legal Basis

UNITED KINGDOM - INNOVATOR/FOUNDER VISA | Business Migration

Legal Basis

Based on the Immigration Rules part 6A: the Points-based system (paragraphs 245AAA to 245ZZE) of the UK law, an individual fulfiling the requirements stated can apply to be granted entry, indefinite leave to remain and subsequently if eligible British citizenship by naturalisation.

Costs of United Kingdom Innovator/Founder Visa

Visa Application fees Outside UK

Main Applicant

GBP 1,036

Each dependent

GBP 1,036

Visa Application fees within UK

Main Applicant

GBP 1,292

Each dependent

GBP 1,292

Health surcharge

per person

GBP 1,872

Biometrics fees

per person

GBP 19.20

Maintenance Fees

Main Applicant

GBP 1,270

Spouse

GBP 285

First child

GBP 315

Each additional dependant

GBP 200

Application Process For United Kingdom Innovator/Founder Visa

The expected timeframe for the application process is 6 months. The initial stage of document collection can vary depending on the applicant’s ability to gather the necessary documents. Our team guides this process with samples and best practice advice. The review stage is subject to the respective government schedule and can be impacted by factors which we, as authorised agents, have no control over. Savory & Partners collaborates with the government throughout the entire process, aiming to provide the quickest and smoothest experience for the applicant.

Application Process for United Kingdom Innovator/Founder Visa

6 Months

*Sample of Residence Visa document
portugal-residency card sample.jpg
  • Step 1
    Savory and Partners will have an initial consultation meeting with the applicant where we will check that you are able to satisfy the general eligibility requirements of the Immigration Rules for an innovator-founder visa.
  • Step 2
    The applicant will have to make a down payment for our professional fees and signs an engagement agreement with Savory and Partners to provide them with assistance and advice throughout their application for the program.
  • Step 3
    All endorsing bodies require applicants to demonstrate that they have an innovative, viable, and scalable business idea. Savory and partners will listen to your concept and advise as to whether it is appropriate to take forward to an endorsing body.
  • Step 4
    Having successfully completed the above stages, Savory and partners will formally introduce you to an expert business plan writer to fully develop the business idea after which we will share your business plan to up to 3 Home Office approved endorsing bodies.
  • Step 5
    The endorsing body will have an initial consultation with the applicant where you can pitch your concept and business plan.
  • Step 6
    The endorsing body will need to know everything about you and the source of your funds. Once the due diligence process is completed, the endorsing body will issue the applicant an endorsement letter.
  • Step 7
    After the endorsement letter is secured, Savory and partners will prepare your Innovator-Founder visa application and submit it to the Home Office.
  • Step 8
    Once your Innovator-Founder visa application has been approved by the Home Office, you will be able to enter the UK to start deploying your investment funds and developing your business concept.
Savory and Partners

PORTUGAL | RESIDENCY BY INVESTMENT

READY TO APPLY?

Visa-free Countries for United Kingdom Innovator/Founder Visa

With the UK Residency Card, you can travel freely to the UK.

Visa-free and visa-on-arrival countries

1 Country & Territory

With the United Kingdom Permanent Residency you can travel to the following countries:

  • The United Kingdom

Client Success Stories

Success Stories - A safe and bright future

The problem

Our Indian client, a business owner and single parent was looking for long-term residency in a country that would ensure quality education and safety for his daughter. With a successful business set-up in his home country, he could not consider relocating as it would limit his growth opportunities. At the same time, he wanted to secure a bright future for his daughter ensuring world-class education but was also wary about her well-being and safety. Above all, recently divorced, it was challenging for the client to procure documents for his daughter.

The solution

When the client approached Savory & Partners, we considered the many sentiments involved including that of a father, a dedicated businessman and a single parent. We understood his requirement and prepared a strategy that would not only serve his personal life positively but would see his business grow by leaps.

We recommended Portugal, not just for the simplicity of obtaining a residence permit but its exceptional education system and healthcare. Portugal is known for its outstanding higher education institutions.

Portugal has a lot of different immigration options available. The passive income - the D7 visa, the newly christened Digital Nomad Visa and the option that is tailor-made for businessowners - the Portuguese D2 visa.

Our client could fulfill his residency requirements while also maintaining an active management role in his company without worrying about spending too much time outside of Portugal.

With residential flexibility of the Golden Visa, his daughter could relocate to Portugal immediately and he could fulfil his residency requirements while also maintaining an active management role in his company back home without worrying about spending too much time outside of Portugal. As of 2021, Portugal is globally ranked in the top ten in terms of ease of registering a company. Meaning our client would not only go ahead and bring his existing business to Portugal but could venture into new business opportunities across Europe.

Approaching Savory & Partners to undertake his residency application ensured that the client would have all the necessary documents for himself and his daughter ready on time. Our agents oversaw that all requirements for a successful due diligence were also fulfilled.

Download brochure

Content

  • United Kingdom Country profile
  • Benefits of the program
  • Investment requirements
  • Investment process

Length

4 pages

Language

English & Arabic

size

1 mb

ABOUT UNITED KINGDOM

Savory and Partners

CAPITAL

London

Savory and Partners

TOTAL AREA

243,610 km²

Savory and Partners

POPULATION

66.97 million

Savory and Partners

LANGUAGE(S)

English

Savory and Partners

CURRENCY

Pound Sterling (£)

Savory and Partners

EXCHANGE RATE

£1 = USD 1.28

Savory and Partners

GDP – PER CAPITA (2022)

USD 46,125.26

Savory and Partners

GDP – TOTAL (2022)

USD 3.089 trillion

About the United Kingdom

The United Kingdom is an island state consisting of four countries: England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales, and spanning an archipelago including Great Britain, the north-eastern part of the island of Ireland, and many small islands. The total area of the UK is approximately 243,610 square kilometres (94,060 sq. miles). England is one of the most densely populated countries in the world with an estimated population density of 401 people resident per sqm. The capital is London, which is among the world’s leading commercial, financial, and cultural centres.

The United Kingdom has a temperate climate, with plentiful rainfall all year round. The temperature varies with the seasons but seldom drops below −10 °C (14.0 °F) or rises above 35 °C (95 °F). The United Kingdom is a leading global trading nation, being the second largest exporter and third largest importer of commercial services. The United Kingdom has a low unemployment rate and is one of the most competitive locations in Europe for business and personal taxation. The United Kingdom remains the most attractive destination for Foreign Direct Investment into Europe.

His Majesty King Charles III ascended to the throne in September 2022, on the death of his mother Queen Elizabeth II. He is also head of state of several independent countries in the Commonwealth. The United Kingdom retains links with parts of its former empire through the Commonwealth. It also benefits from historical and cultural links with the United States and is a member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).

Where is the United Kingdom?

The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (UK) is an island country that sits north-west of mainland Europe. It is made up of mainland Great Britain (England, Wales and Scotland) and the northern part of the island of Ireland (Northern Ireland). It has numerous smaller islands.

UNITED KINGDOM - INNOVATOR/FOUNDER VISA | Business Migration

Related Blogs

UK-ETA-Jan-25
November 28, 20244 Min
UK ETA: A Comprehensive Guide for UK's Electronic Travel Authorisation
Read More
Business Setup in Saudi Arabia Step by Step Guide
May 8, 20248 Min
Setting Up a Business in Saudi Arabia: 2024 Comprehensive Guide
Read More
Company Formation In Hungary
February 16, 20244 Min
Setting Up a Business in Hungary | Comprehensive Guide For Entrepreneurs
Read More
Bridging International Business and Canada Intra Company Transferee Visa | Savory & Partners
October 17, 202312 Min
Bridging International Business and Canada: Intra-Company Transferee Visa
Read More
Business Migration - A Closer Look at Portugal’s D2 Visa | Savory & Partners
July 20, 20238 Min
Business Migration: A Closer Look at Portugal’s D2 Visa
Read More
View All Blogs
Citizenship enquiry

Citizenship enquiry

© 2024 Second Citizenship by Investment, Second Passport Programs - Savory & Partners. Privacy Policy Terms & Conditions