- Prepare evidence and lettersUsually the longest partWeeks to months
- Apply online to the Home OfficeEndorsement fee£561
- Endorsing body decidesDepends on the endorsing body2 to 8+ weeks
- Apply for the visa£205 visa fee plus healthcare surchargeWithin 3 months
We help with Stage 1 only
This guide sets out the published GOV.UK rules beyond Stage 1 so you can plan ahead. Our service covers the Stage 1 endorsement application. Figures and rules checked on GOV.UK on 12 November 2026. Fees can change, so confirm them on GOV.UK before you pay.
| Endorsing body | New Innovator Founder applications | Scale-up |
|---|---|---|
| UK Endorsing Services | Yes | Yes |
| Innovator International | Yes | Yes |
| Envestors Limited | Yes | Yes |
| Global Entrepreneurs Programme | Invited founders only | No |
Who they are
An approved endorsing body for Innovator Founder and Scale-up
GOV.UK lists Innovator International under Business Endorsing Bodies, the organisations that can issue endorsements for new Innovator Founder applications and for Scale-up licences. Only organisations on that list can issue a new initial Innovator Founder endorsement. Innovator International describes itself as an endorsing body for both the Innovator Founder and Scale-up routes.
GOV.UK: endorsing bodies listThe process
The four stages of an Innovator International application
Innovator International publishes a four-stage process. It says applicants should submit their own applications, although they may be helped by referrers or partners.
- Complete the application form.
- Submit your documents and pay the assessment fee.
- Your project is assessed by its expert team.
- Endorsement, and support, start.
What is assessed
The ten areas it scores
Innovator International says it assesses projects against ten areas, using its own scoring framework. These go beyond the four GOV.UK tests, so your business plan should cover each one clearly, with sources for market figures and stated assumptions behind your forecasts.
- Innovation, viability and scalability
- Market assessment and product fit
- Marketing and sales
- People and skills
- Operational and financial planning
- Settlement targets
We help with Stage 1, the endorsement application. Not endorsed yet? Talk to us about your evidence.
Book a free 30-minute callTimescale
How long it takes
Innovator International says it takes about 4 weeks on average from first contact to issue an endorsement, and that most applications take 3 to 4 weeks, longer when it receives many applications. After you are endorsed, the Home Office visa decision usually takes about 3 weeks from outside the UK and 8 weeks inside the UK.
GOV.UK: decision timesFees
What to budget for
GOV.UK says the endorsement costs £1,000 per person, paid to the endorsing body, and each contact point meeting costs £500, with at least two meetings during your permission. Innovator International publishes its own fee schedule, including fees after 12 months and when you apply to settle or extend, and VAT may apply for UK residents. Read its current fee page before you apply, and budget for the visa fee and healthcare surcharge separately.
GOV.UK: feesBefore you apply
Points it makes clear
Innovator International says it cannot help you develop an idea and does not give feedback on ideas before a paid application. It does not support merging with or investing in an existing business, unless you are a founding member with an active, significant role in running it. Fees are per applicant, so each member of a founding team pays.
Innovator International: visa routes and FAQRelated guides
Keep reading
Guides applicants usually read next on this topic.
Innovator Founder endorsing bodies in 2026: which accept new applications
Only three endorsing bodies take new Innovator Founder applications from anyone. Here is the current list from GOV.UK, and what each stage costs.
Read related guideInnovator Founder business plan: what to include
The business plan is what the endorsing body reads first. Here is what it needs to show, section by section.
Read related guideInnovator Founder visa requirements in 2026: the full list in one place
The Innovator Founder visa has two sets of requirements: what the endorsing body checks, and what the Home Office checks. Here they are together, from GOV.UK.
Read related guideApplying from outside the UK. Facts for founders considering an Innovator International endorsement, from GOV.UK and Innovator International's own published pages, read on 12 November 2026.
Article FAQ
Questions to settle before you spend time or money.
Use these answers to check the practical risks, documents, and decisions connected to this topic.
Is Innovator International a Home Office approved endorsing body?
Yes. GOV.UK lists Innovator International as a business endorsing body that can issue endorsements for new Innovator Founder applications and for Scale-up licences, in the list last updated on 7 August 2026.
How long does an Innovator International endorsement take?
Innovator International says about 4 weeks on average from first contact, and 3 to 4 weeks in most cases, longer when it receives many applications.
How much does an Innovator International endorsement cost?
GOV.UK sets the Innovator Founder endorsement fee at £1,000 per person, and contact point meetings at £500 each. Innovator International also publishes fees after 12 months and at settlement or extension, and VAT may apply. Check its current fee page before you apply.
Can Innovator International give me a business idea or write my plan?
No. It says it cannot help develop an idea, and it no longer puts applicants in touch with business plan writers. The Immigration Rules require that the ideas in your plan are your own.
Which is better: Innovator International, UK Endorsing Services or Envestors?
There is no single answer. All three are on the GOV.UK list and apply the same four tests, but each has its own process, fees and assessment approach. Compare their published guidance against your business before you choose.
Who can help me prepare an Innovator International application?
Tier 1 Global Talent Visa, led by founder Mihir Thaker, works only on the endorsement stage. We help you test your idea and build a business plan from your own idea, words and figures. We are not connected to Innovator International or any endorsing body, and we do not give immigration advice. The first call is free and lasts 30 minutes.
Innovator Founder
Preparing an endorsement application?
Book a free 30-minute call: we look at your idea and your plan before you pay any endorsement fee.
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