The initial Innovator visa will be valid for 3 years. If an innovator visa holder does not qualify the criteria for ILR (indefinite leave to remain) it is possible to extend an Innovator visa for periods of 3 years at a time, subjecting to being re-endorsed each time. There is no maximum time limit in the Innovator category. The following requirements must be met to submit an application for an innovator visa extension:

• The applicant must be at least 18 years old
• The applicant must be lawfully present in the United Kingdom and must have been granted leave to remain as an Innovator Migrant within the past five years.
• The applicant must intend to and be capable of engaging in any work or business activity specified in their application in the United Kingdom.
• The applicant must not intend to work in the United Kingdom in breach of their condition;
• Any money which the applicant claims to be available must be genuinely available as described, and the applicant must intend to use it for the purposes described in the application;
• The applicant must provide an endorsement letter, issued by the endorsing body.

Same Business: Extension Of Innovator Visa applications

Extensions are primarily based on two factors: the progress in accordance with the business plan and the achievement of the applicant.

This requires a "same business" endorsement, which will be granted if all five of the following conditions are met:

• The applicant has made substantial progress with respect to the business plan which was initially submitted.
• The business must be registered with Companies House, and the applicant must be listed as a director or member.
• The company is operational and trading.
• The business is sustainable; this will be determined over the next 12 months by comparing his/her assets and anticipated income to his/her current and planned expenses.
• The applicant has actively contributed to the day-to-day operations and growth of the business.

English Language Requirement

The applicant must have a B2 level of English language ability, as defined in the Council of Europe’s common European framework (CEFR) for language and learning. If this requirement has been met at the time of the initial application, the applicant would not be required to provide any additional evidence and the applicant will be deemed to have met this requirement for extension application automatically.

Maintenance Funds

• The applicant must have at least £945;
• If a main applicant and their partner or children are applying at the same time, there must be enough maintenance funds in total, as required for all the applications, otherwise all the applications will be refused;
• The applicant does not need to provide evidence of maintenance funds if the letter from the endorsing body confirms that the applicant has been awarded funding of at least £945 which must be in addition to the £50,000 investment funds required for innovator visa category.

If the application is approved, this will grant 3 further years to live and work in the UK. The innovator visa holders can apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain 28 days prior to the end of the 5th year in the UK.

If the innovator visa holder have may claim settled status after 3 years if you have met significant progress in terms of the application, they may claim settled status after 3 years as below:

• Having invested at least £50,000 into your business.
• Creating at least 10 full-time jobs for resident workers
• Creating at least 5 full-time jobs for resident workers paying at least £25,000
• Having a gross revenue of at least £1 million.
• Doubling your customers within your first three years
• Having a greater number of customers than competitors
• Conducting significant research and development and applying for intellectual property protection.
• Generating at least £500,000 in revenue with £100,000 from exporting overseas

If the application for ILR is approved, you will be able to remain in the UK permanently without being subject to immigration control, and you will be eligible to apply for British citizenship after an additional year.