The Innovator Endorsement Scheme (IES) provides Innovator visa endorsement to qualifying foreign entrepreneurs. It aims to channel innovation into the UK economy.

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Eligibility

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You can apply to the Innovator Endorsement Scheme (IES) if:

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• You want to setup or run a business in the UK

• You have a business proposition that is innovative, viable and scalable

• You are a genuine founder and applying with your own business plan

• You have sufficient skills, resources, market awareness and business acumen to run your business

• You're from outside the European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland

• You meet the other eligibility requirements

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You must have at least £50,000 in investment funds if you want to set up a new business. You do not need funds if your business is already established and has been endorsed for an earlier visa.

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How to apply

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The Innovate Britain selection process involves 3 screening stages.

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To initiate your application you must complete an initial online application to check your suitability for the Innovator visa.

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If your application is successful, you will be invited to provide further details on your business. You may also be invited to attend a telephone and face-to-face interview. If you are successful after this stage, you will be awarded endorsement.

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Once you have received endorsement, you can apply to the Home Office for an Innovator visa.

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What happens after endorsement

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Once you have received endorsement from Innovate Britain, we will monitor the progress you make on your business at checkpoints 6, 12, 24 and 36 months from your initial endorsement.

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How long the assessment takes

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There is currently a significant delay in the assessment of endorsement applications due to restrictions imposed on the number of endorsements that can be issued by our organisation. At this time it is not possible to provide an exact timeframe on when your application will be processed. While we appreciate that this will create uncertainty for applicants, we would like to reassure you that you will be contacted by the relevant individual within our organisation as soon as there is an update to share regarding the status of your application.