Innovator Founder Visa:
Same Business Endorsement Criteria

If you are pursuing the same business that was previously assessed by a Home Office-approved endorsing body while you were under the Innovator, Innovator Founder visa, Start-up, or Tier 1 (Graduate Entrepreneur) visa routes (whether for a prior endorsement or at a contact point), you may be eligible to apply for a new endorsement as an Innovator Founder.

This may be relevant if you are transitioning to the Innovator Founder route from one of the aforementioned routes or if you wish to extend your stay as an Innovator Founder.

To qualify for a further endorsement based on continuing the same business from a previous application, and to receive an Innovator Founder endorsement letter, you must demonstrate to a Home Office-approved endorsing body that:

• Your business is registered with Companies House, and you are listed as a director or member of the business.
• The business is active, trading, and sustainable.
• You have made significant progress in line with your business plan.
• You are involved in the day-to-day management and development of your business.

Additionally, if you have previously held permission as an Innovator or Innovator Founder, you will need to show that you attended at least two Contact point meetings with your endorsing body (or similar check-ins with a legacy endorsing body) at regular intervals during your previous permission period. You must also confirm that you will continue to attend at least two Contact point meetings at regular intervals during your new permission period.