The UK Innovator Scheme

If you have an excellent business idea and can raise the finance this could be a way for you to gain entry to the UK. However, in many cases it may be preferable to instead come under the Highly Skilled Migrant Programme. Unfortunately, very few people gain enough points to come under the innovator visa.

The innovator scheme is now a permanent scheme since 16 September 2002. It was originally introduced as a two year pilot scheme from 4 September 2000 to 4 September 2002. This category should only be used if you have a business idea that will bring very considerable economic benefits to the UK and is tailored to those in the new industries of information technology and telecommunication sectors, although is open to those from other industries as well.

Content

• Introduction
• Do I qualify to come to the UK as an Innovator?
• What do I need to show in my business plan?
• What evidence do I need to support this?
• What should my curriculum vitae show?
• What evidence do I need to support this?
• What about my family?
• What about extending my visa?
• How do I apply?

Introduction:

This scheme was introduced for the entry of entrepreneurs with an exceptional business idea, but with little capital. Some of the requirements for the scheme are as follows:

• Your business idea must be new and innovative.
• You must bring exceptional economic benefit to the UK.
• You must have sufficient funding in place or agreed in principle.
• You must create employment for at least two people.
• You must have significant business experience.
• You must have at least a five percent ownership in the proposed business.

If you do not meet the requirements of this category, please go to the entrepreneurs page for details of entry under another category. If you are a citizen of Bulgaria or Romania, you can come under the EC Association Agreement. However, these days coming under the EC Association Agreement is not that straightforward.

Please see our "Visas for Entrepreneurs" page for details of other categories.

Do I qualify to come to the UK as an Innovator?

This category is very different from other UK visa categories as it is based on a points system. The points system covers a number of criteria and is clearly targeting highly innovative businesses creating employment and bringing new skills and technology to the UK. The main features of the points system are to grant points under the following criteria (this is a simplified version):

Section 1: Personal Characteristics - Minimum Score 15

Business Experience:

• Business or Management Experience: Maximum of 15 points
• Experience in proposed business area: 5 points for one year or more.
• Work or research experience in the chosen field: Up to 10 points.
• Experience in the UK or in exporting to the UK: Up to 5 points.
• Experience in starting up new businesses: Up to 15 points.

Qualifications and/or relevant references:

• Qualifications: Maximum of 10 points.
• Relevant Reference: 5 points

Section 2: Business Plan - Viability - Minimum Score 15

Financial Viability:

• Start up capital available for the business: Up to 15 points.
• References from experts in area of business: Up to 10 points.

Commercial and technical viability and management plan:

• Market research or contact with potential Clients: 5 points.
• Positive commercial reference from expert in relevant field: 5 points
• Positive technical reference from expert in relevant field: Up to 10 points
• Details of management team: 5 points
• Confirmation that you will own at least 5 percent of the proposed business.

Section 3: Economic Benefit to the UK - Minimum Score 30

Jobs and skills:

• Full-time jobs created in the first twelve months: Up to 25 points.
• Number of science/technology graduates who will be employed in the business: Up to 15 points.

Innovation:

• Introduction of new technology, processes or products to the UK or to a specific industry. 25 points
• Intellectual property rights to be used in the business: 25 points
• Investment in research and development in the first twelve months: Up to ten points for GBP100K.
• If the business is primarily internet based: 25 points.
• If the business will increase the level of e-commerce activity in the UK: 25 points.

The above is only an outline of the points system, and if you would like us to evaluate your case further please complete our online application form.

What do I need to show in my business plan?

• Detail of business proposal
• Proposals for the establishment of a management team
• Numbers and skill levels of jobs to be created
• Innovative aspects of your proposals (eg will it introduce a new technology, process or product to the UK or to the sector)
• How much you will spend on R&D
• Cash flow forecast
• Assessment of main sources of risk
• Description of actual or intended sources of funding and intended financing structure
• Marketing plan
• Legal structure of company
• The business plan must cover at least 18 months

What evidence do I need to support this?

• Financial references or evidence of available personal or family funding
• Report from recognised third party on viability of proposals
• Evidence of market research
• Evidence of R&D already carried out (if appropriate)
• Appropriate technical/scientific documentation and reference
• Commercial reference
• Copies of correspondence with potential customers, agents and distributors

What should my curriculum vitae show?

• Details of positions with previous employers, including responsibilities and achievements
• Previous entrepreneurial experience
• Experience in relevant market sectors
• Degree level qualifications (or equivalent)
• Post-graduate business qualifications
• Post-graduate or professional qualifications in relevant area
• R&D experience
• Membership of relevant innovation network

What evidence do I need to support this?

• Previous employer references
• Registered accounts/trading records of own business
• Copies of professional/academic certificates
• Evidence of network memberships
• Research output, eg publications, patents

What about My Family?

You may apply for your spouse and children to accompany you as your dependants.

Education

Your children entering the UK as your dependants are entitled to the same free education as British children. You may choose to send your children to a private school if you wish.

Health care

You and your family are eligible to free health care provided by the National Health Service. You are not required to take out private health insurance.

Work

Your spouse and dependents are entitled to take up any lawful employment.

What about extending my visa?

Your initial visa is granted for a period of up to two years. It will be based on you meeting the requirements of the points system. The business does not need to start until you have entered the UK.

Towards the end of two years in the UK, you may apply for a three year extension. This application should be successful if you meet the following requirements:

You and your dependants have been able to support yourselves during this period without needing public funds. Also, you have not had to take other employment during this time (your dependants are free to take whatever employment they desire).

You have created at least two full-time jobs in the first twelve months of trading.

You can demonstrate at least a five percent ownership in the UK business.

Your business continues to exist, and has sufficient funds to continue trading.

Towards the end of five years in the UK you may apply for indefinite leave to remain (Permanent Residence). A year after being granted indefinite leave to remain you may apply for naturalisation as a British citizen.

How do I Apply?

You can apply for the innovator at the relevant British Embassy outside the UK and in some cases an application from within the UK.

You will need to provide documentary evidence showing your qualifications, work experience, funding for the proposed business, etc. Workpermit.com can assist you in all aspects of your application. If you are interested in taking this further please complete our assessment form.