Pakistan → United Kingdom: the Innovator Founder visa roadmap
The Innovator Founder visa is the UK's primary route for entrepreneurs launching an innovative, viable and scalable business in the UK. Its defining requirement is an endorsement from a Home Office approved endorsing body, which assesses your business idea before you can apply; unlike the old Innovator route, there is no longer a fixed minimum investment figure (previously £50,000). It leads to settlement after 3 years and to citizenship roughly 12 months after that. Fee figures here reflect 2026 published rates; confidence is medium because endorsing bodies set their own commercial fees that vary case by case.
Moving from Pakistan
- You apply for the Innovator Founder visa at the United Kingdom consulate, embassy, or visa application centre that serves Pakistan, confirm the office and the current appointment wait for your region.
- Qualifications and work experience earned in Pakistan usually need a credential assessment or recognition before they count toward United Kingdom's requirements.
- Budget for certified translation and apostille or legalisation of your Pakistan documents (degree, police certificate, civil records).
- Check whether a Pakistan passport needs a short-stay visa for any in-person biometrics or interview steps.
General guidance for any Pakistan to United Kingdom applicant; the eligibility and fees below are set by United Kingdom.
At a glance
Who qualifies
- Business idea must be new, innovative, viable and scalable (you cannot join a business already trading)
- Hold a valid endorsement letter from a Home Office approved endorsing body (valid 3 months)
- Be aged 18 or over and the founder actively involved in day-to-day management of the business
- Meet the English language requirement at B2 (CEFR) level
- Have enough personal savings to support yourself (around £1,270 held for 28 days, unless exempt)
- Attend mandatory contact-point meetings with your endorsing body during the visa
Your step-by-step roadmap
Phase 1: Endorsement
- Develop a business plan that is innovative, viable and scalable
- Apply to an approved endorsing body and pass its assessment (typically 4-8 weeks)
- Receive the endorsement letter (valid for 3 months)
Phase 2: Visa application
- Apply online and pay the application fee plus Immigration Health Surcharge
- Enrol biometrics and submit endorsement letter, passport and funds evidence
- Await decision (~3 weeks from outside the UK, ~8 weeks inside the UK)
Phase 3: Build the business
- Launch and actively run the endorsed business as founder
- Attend the required contact-point meetings (typically at 12 and 24 months)
- Track growth against the ILR criteria (e.g. job creation, customers, investment)
Phase 4: Settlement (ILR)
- After 3 years, obtain a fresh endorsement confirming the business still meets the criteria and you meet at least 2 of 7 growth criteria
- Pass the Life in the UK Test and meet residence rules (max 180 days absence per 12 months)
- Apply for indefinite leave to remain
Phase 5: Citizenship
- Hold ILR for at least 12 months
- Meet residence and good character requirements
- Apply to naturalise as a British citizen
Government fees
Timeline & path to citizenship
Timeline: End to end, expect roughly 4-7 months from preparing the business plan to a visa decision (endorsement assessment ~4-8 weeks plus visa processing of ~3 weeks from outside the UK or ~8 weeks inside), then 3 years on the visa before settlement.
Citizenship: You can apply for indefinite leave to remain after 3 years on the route (if the business still meets the criteria and at least 2 of 7 growth conditions), then apply for British citizenship around 12 months after receiving ILR, roughly 4 years in total.
This is general information to help you plan, not legal advice. For case-specific guidance, consult a licensed immigration professional.