Innovator Founder visa

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Extend your visa

You can usually apply to extend an Innovator Founder visa if both of the following apply:

Your partner or child’s visa will not automatically extend if you extend yours. If they do not extend their visa, it will be valid until its original end date.

They can either apply at the same time as you, or at any time before their current visa expires.

You should apply before your current visa expires.

You need to have your business or business idea assessed by an endorsing body when you extend your visa.

Fees

Check how much money you’ll need to extend your visa and support yourself while you’re in the UK.

You’ll also need to have your biometric information (fingerprints and a photo) taken - there’s no fee for this.

Proving your identity and supplying supporting documents

As part of your application, you’ll need to prove your identity. How you do this depends on where you’re from and what type of passport you have.

You’ll either:

  • use the ‘UK Immigration: ID Check’ app to scan your identity document - you’ll also create or sign into your UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account
  • have your fingerprints and photo (biometric information) taken at a visa application centre

You’ll be told what you need to do when you apply.

If you do need an appointment:

  • the centre may need to keep your passport and documents while they process your application
  • you may have to travel to get to your nearest visa application centre (this could be in another country)

Apply in the UK

You must apply online.

Once you’ve started your application, you can save your form and complete it later.

Start now

You must not travel outside of the UK, Ireland, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man until you get a decision. Your application will be withdrawn if you do.

Apply outside the UK

You can apply online to extend an Innovator Founder visa you’ve had in the last year.

You may also be able to apply at a visa application centre. You can apply from any country as long as you’ve been given permission to live there for at least 6 months. Check if there’s a visa application centre that you can travel to that accepts Innovator Founder visa applications.

Continue your application

You can sign back into your application if you’ve saved it. 

Find out how to sign in to your account.

How long it takes to get a decision

You’ll usually get a decision within 8 weeks of your application date.

You’ll be contacted if your application will take longer, for example:

  • if you’re applying with a family member who needs an appointment but you do not
  • if your supporting documents need to be verified
  • if you need to attend an interview
  • because of your personal circumstances, for example if you have a criminal conviction

You may be able to pay to get a faster decision.

After you apply

If you need to change something in your application after you’ve sent it contact UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI).

You can ask to cancel your application. You’ll only get your fee refunded if UKVI has not started processing your application.

You’ll get an email or a letter containing the decision on your application. This will explain what you need to do next.

Once you’ve applied you can stay in the UK until you’ve been given a decision, as long as you applied before your last visa expired.

View a printable version of the whole guide

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