The Innovator Founder Visa has more cost components than most UK visas because the endorsing body charges separately from the Home Office. Here is what to budget for.
Fees paid to the endorsing body
- Endorsement application: £1,000 per applicant, plus VAT (about £1,200 including VAT).
- Contact-point meetings: £500 each plus VAT (about £600 including VAT), with at least two during the visa.
Fees paid to the Home Office
- Visa application fee: at the time of writing, £1,357 per person from outside the UK, or £1,693 to switch or extend from inside the UK. Fees change regularly, so check the current figure on GOV.UK.
- Immigration Health Surcharge: charged per year of the visa for each applicant, and paid upfront.
- Personal maintenance funds: you may need to show savings of £1,270 unless you have been in the UK on a valid visa for 12 months or more.
The business plan
Prices vary widely. Marketplace freelancers charge a few hundred pounds; specialist firms charge several thousand. What matters is whether the plan passes the three tests and whether you can defend it. We quote each project individually and agree a fixed price after a free assessment, before any work starts.
Your business budget
There is no minimum investment, but the endorsing body will want to see how the business is funded through its first year. Many founders budget tens of thousands of pounds depending on the business. Your plan should show where the money comes from and what it pays for.
Immigration rules and fees change. We write business plans; we do not give immigration advice. Always confirm the current rules on GOV.UK or with a regulated immigration adviser or solicitor before you apply.