If you have dreams of setting up a business in the UK
the Innovator Founder Visa may be your route to commercial and financial success. Based in the heart of the City of London, we will guide you through all aspects of your Innovator Founder visa application, including drafting a business plan, gaining endorsement, and gaining immigration clearance.
The Innovator Founder visa offers an accelerated route to permanent settlement in the UK, but making a successful application requires a combination of commercial experience and immigration law.
This is where Fairhill Solicitors can assist you. Because we offer a highly personalised service compared to larger law firms, and due to our proximity in the commercial hub of London, we have the experience, contacts, and expertise to ensure your visa is approved efficiently and quickly.
“I am really glad about his profound erudition and faithfulness to work. My case was a little challenging, but due to his exceptional sense of understanding, my result was positive.”
Our team is business savvy, friendly, and can provide a cost-free initial assessment of your case without any obligation. To speak with one of our lawyers, please call
Why Choose Us?
- Unrivalled knowledge in immigration law – we have a deep understanding of business immigration law and UK Visa and Immigration (UKVI) policies and procedures.
- Personal attention – a senior caseworker will work with you at every stage of your business immigration matter. They will take the time to understand your business and find solutions to any challenges you face concerning recruiting foreign talent.
- Practical, up-to-date advice – immigration law is often complex and in a constant state of change. You can rely on us to advise you in plain English and help you meet your compliance obligations.
- Swift results – we understand that your business needs solutions to immigration law matters quickly. As a small team, we are extremely agile and able to work quickly and creatively to get the outcome you want.
- Friendliness and availability – we work with businesses and skilled workers long-term and pride ourselves on being approachable, personable, and caring. We are committed to helping our clients succeed and will do what is required to move things forward. Our team value clients’ time: you can trust that your phone calls and emails will be promptly returned.
FAQ
To be eligible for a Skilled Worker visa, an applicant must:
- Have a job offer for an eligible job from an approved UK employer with a sponsor licence
- Have a Certificate of Sponsorship from their employer
- Receive a salary of at least £25,600, the ‘going rate’ or £10.10 per hour (whichever is higher). You may be able to apply if you have a lower salary if you:
- have a job in a shortage occupation
- are studying
- are a recent graduate
- are under 26
- are in professional training
- have a PhD in a STEM subject
- have a postdoctoral position in science or higher education
- Meet the English language requirement. This means you must be able to read, write, speak and understand English to at least level B1 on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) scale, and
- Have at least £1,270 in support funds to support themselves.
Yes, in most cases, you can switch to a Skilled Worker visa from a different visa type without leaving the UK, as long as you meet the above eligibility criteria. You cannot switch to a Skilled Worker visa if you are on a visit visa, short-term student visa, parent of a child Student visa, seasonal worker visa, domestic worker in a private household visa, immigration bail, or if you have permission to stay outside the immigration rules.
Yes, a Skilled Worker visa is normally granted for up to five years and can be further extended at the end of this period. To extend your Skilled Worker visa, you must still be sponsored by your UK employer and continue to meet the above eligibility requirements.
Yes, as an alternative to extending a Skilled Worker visa, it is possible to apply for indefinite leave to remain (ILR) after living here continuously for 5 years or more. ‘Continuous’ means that the applicant must not have lived outside the UK for 180 days in any year in the five-year period.