UK Start-up Visa Closure and Innovator Founder Funding
Updated 22 October 2026. GOV.UK confirms that the UK Start-up visa is closed to new applications. This page explains the current Innovator Founder route and corrects older claims about funding and endorsing bodies. It is a general guide, not a decision on anyone’s eligibility.
What replaced the Start-up visa?
The Innovator Founder route is for people seeking to establish and run an innovative UK business. A business or business idea must be assessed by an approved endorsing body, and the applicant must meet the other route requirements. Read the current GOV.UK route overview before planning an application. Existing Start-up visa holders may have different switching options.
Does the route require £50,000?
There is no blanket £50,000 minimum in the current Innovator Founder eligibility guidance. That does not mean a new venture needs no funding. A founder setting up a new business must show the endorsing body enough funding for the proposed plan and explain where it comes from. Personal savings for living costs are assessed separately under the applicable visa rules.
Which bodies can endorse a new application?
Use the current GOV.UK business endorsing-body list. The list and each body’s process can change. A 2023 count or directory should not be treated as current. An endorsement is part of the application, not a guarantee of a visa.
