Application Process for the Innovator Founder Visa
The application process for the UK Innovator Founder Visa can be broken-down into several steps and stages
Stage 1:
Case Review and Preparation
Step 1. Starting your Application
To properly advise you, we need to fully understanding both your personal immigration goals and your business model. To do this we require detailed information which begins with completing our initial investor information form.
Step 2. Your Questions and In-Person Review
We will review your information. If we feel that your potentially qualify for an Innovator Founder Visa and we can help you then we schedule a session to review your information with you and work on additional questions.
The purpose of this step is to: (a) answer any questions you may have; and (b) to ensure that you qualify for an Innovator Founder Visa.
Step 3. Developing Your Business Plan
Your business plan/concept must have a letter of Endorsement from an Endorsing Body. To obtain that endorsement you will have to develop a credible business plan which is innovative, viable and scalable.
Our firm has specialist business plan team who will work with our lawyers to assist you to develop a business plan to an Endorsing Body.
Stage 2:
Obtaining an Endorsement Letter
Step 4. Presentation to Endorsing Bodies
We will arrange for you to present your idea and business plan to one or more Endorsing Bodies.
We can work with you to thoroughly prepare you for the business presentation. We will work through likely questions and objections with you in advance.
Step 5. Concept and Business Plan Approval
If the Endorsing Body feels you meet the exacting legal requirements for Innovator visa issuance they will schedule additional time with you. The Endorsing Body will take the time need to fully understand your business plan, its cashflows and ensure that it meets other applicable requirements.
Step 6. Due Diligence
The Endorsing Body have an obligation to ensure that you are a “proper person” for an innovator visa and will spend meaningful time understanding you and your background.
In addition, you will need to be able to explain how you came into possession of the funds you are using for your application. While required, merely providing bank statements is insufficient for visa purposes, you will need to explain how the funds got into your bank account.
Step 7. Endorsement Letter
You will be issued an Endorsement Letter which complies with INNF 6.1 and contains:
- The name of the Endorsing Body or Legacy Body;
- The endorsement reference number of the Endorsing or Legacy Body;
- The date of issue, which must be no earlier than 3 months before the date of application;
- The applicant’s name, date of birth, nationality and passport number; and
- The name and contact details (telephone number, email and workplace address of an individual at the Endorsing Body or Legacy Endorsing Body who will verify the contents of the letter to the Home Office if requested.
Stage 3:
Visa Application
Step 8. nnovator Founder Visa Application
Any investor visa or business visa application requires a lot of work to meet very exacting regulatory and documentary requirements. At D&A we have a centralized filing team who review all applications filed by our firm as a “second check” before they are filed. This is a critical part of our firm’s quality control process.
Once you have obtained an Endorsement Letter and we have prepared the other documentation needed in your case we will prepare your case and forward it to our filing team for checking. We will then cause the case to be filed with the Home Office.
Step 9. Biometric Appointment
Once your application has been made you will be invited to a UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services point. You will need to provide your photo and your fingerprints at the Application Center.
Step 10. Approval & Mentoring
Once your Innovator Founder Visa application has been approved by the Home Office, you will be able to enter the UK to start deploying your investment funds and developing your business concept.
Remember that leaving a large gap of time between the date of your initial permission to enter the UK and your date of entry can be problematic.
Once you have entered the UK overall responsibility for your file will move from Singapore to our London office. In London we will continue to be available for you through ILR and naturalization as a UK Citizen.
D&A in Singapore and Southeast Asia
Davies & Associates is a recognized firm of immigration and business lawyers specializing assisting business, entrepreneurs and investors.
Our Singapore team typically takes the lead for being primarily responsible for clients in Asia. Once a client enters the UK that responsibility transitions to our UK team.
Our team in Singapore supports our offices across the Southeast Asia Region. In turn we can call on our lawyers in the UK, Italy and the United States for support and expertise.
While we are primarily known for our exceptional results, service and professionalism our goal is to offer our clients the very best service available.