Build your business in the UK with a clear immigration plan.
Your business idea, founder role and growth plans must meet the route’s requirements.
Knightsbridge helps you understand the immigration stages and prepare your visa application. An approved endorsing body assesses the business for endorsement.
Our free initial enquiry identifies whether we can assist and the appropriate service. Detailed advice, evidence review and application work are agreed separately.
About this route
Innovator Founder is for people establishing an innovative, viable and scalable business, with an active role in its management and development.
Permission normally lasts three years. You must attend progress meetings with your endorsing body at 12 and 24 months. Extensions require a further endorsement and continued eligibility.
Eligible partners and children can apply as dependants. Settlement may be available after three years, subject to a fresh endorsement, specified business achievements and the other settlement requirements.
Eligibility Check
The main questions are:
- Are you at least 18 and able to meet the English requirement? English is normally required at B2 unless an exemption applies.
- Is your new business innovative, viable and scalable? Your plan needs originality, realistic delivery and credible growth potential.
- Will you actively manage the business? You must have generated or significantly contributed to the idea.
- Do you have a valid endorsement? An approved body must issue it within the three months before applying.
- Can you meet personal maintenance requirements? Normally, £1,270 must be held for 28 consecutive days, unless you qualify for an exemption after 12 months in the UK with permission.
- Does your current immigration status allow the proposed application?
Business funding is assessed separately against your plan and resources.
Understanding your situation
You may be developing an idea, preparing for endorsement or already holding an endorsement letter. You may also be continuing a previously endorsed business.
We establish your business stage, immigration position, intended timing and family circumstances. These determine the requirements to examine and the service to agree.
How Knightsbridge Helps
For an agreed visa application service, we:
- Check the endorsement letter and application deadline.
- Review your immigration history, English and financial evidence.
- Provide a tailored document list.
- Prepare the application and review it with you.
- Complete submission and follow-up work included in your engagement.
Business-plan drafting, financial modelling and commercial advice require a separately defined service. We confirm any endorsement-stage support before you instruct us.
Addressing Challenges
Unclear funding records, inconsistent dates or uncertainty about the appropriate endorsement basis can affect preparation.
We identify immigration evidence gaps and explain what clarification is needed. Business questions requiring specialist input must be resolved within an appropriate service. The endorsing body makes its endorsement decision; the Home Office decides the visa application.
Timescales and Costs
Preparation depends on your documents and endorsement position. Endorsement assessment has its own timetable.
Visa decisions usually take three weeks outside the UK or eight weeks inside, after applying online, proving your identity and providing documents.
Current external charges include:
- Visa application: £1,357 per person outside the UK, or £1,693 for switching or extending inside.
- Endorsement: £1,000, excluding VAT.
- Contact point meetings: £500 each, excluding VAT, with at least two required.
- Immigration Health Surcharge: normally £1,035 per year for an adult.
Dependants have separate application and healthcare charges. We confirm our professional fee, scope and any applicable VAT in writing.
Situations requiring closer analysis
Previous refusals, restricted switching circumstances, changes to an endorsed business or withdrawn endorsement may require separate assessment. We establish whether we can assist and agree the necessary work first.
Your journey at a glance
Assess → Plan → Evidence → Prepare → Review → Submit → Follow through.
We explain your responsibilities and the stages covered by your agreed service.
Ready to have your case assessed?
Tell us about your business idea, founder role, endorsement position, current location and intended timing.
The initial enquiry identifies whether we can assist, the next service and its fee. Substantive advice and preparation follow once the scope is agreed.
