From "I want to apply" to settlement is a 3-4 year journey. The path is: prepare the business plan → choose an endorsing body → apply for endorsement → apply for the visa → operate the business through three contact points (12 / 24 / 36 months) → apply for indefinite leave to remain. Each stage has its own timing and cost; the whole thing is a marathon, not a sprint.
Stage 0 — Pre-application (4-12 weeks of preparation)
- Finalise the business plan with the Innovation case written explicitly
- Register the company at Companies House (or have a clear plan to)
- Assemble supporting evidence — customer LOIs, MVP screenshots, team CVs, IP filings
- Research the three endorsing bodies and pick the right fit for your sector/stage
- If you've previously been rejected, address that feedback in the new application
Stage 1 — Endorsement application (4-8 weeks)
You submit the business plan and supporting evidence to your chosen endorsing body, along with their fee. They run an initial review, may ask questions, and typically conduct a panel interview before issuing or refusing the endorsement.
- Decision in 4-8 weeks on average — depends on the body and your responsiveness.
- Possible outcomes: endorsed / refused / referred for revisions.
- If refused: you can reapply to a different body (after addressing feedback), but the new application starts from scratch including fees.
Stage 2 — Visa application (2-8 weeks)
With endorsement in hand, you apply to UK Visas & Immigration. This stage is mostly procedural: biometrics, English language proof (CEFR B2 or equivalent), financial maintenance evidence (you must have £1,270 in your account for 28 consecutive days), and the visa fee + Immigration Health Surcharge.
- From inside the UK: 8 weeks standard, faster with priority processing.
- From outside the UK: 3 weeks standard.
- Fee: ~£1,036 application + ~£1,035/year IHS for each year of visa duration. Budget around £4,000-£5,000 in fees alone for a single applicant.
Stage 3 — Operate (years 1-3) with three contact points
Once the visa is granted, you live and work in the UK. You operate the business in line with the plan you got endorsed, and meet your endorsing body at three scheduled contact points.
- 12 months: "have you set up the business?" — incorporation, hires, early revenue or pivot evidence.
- 24 months: "are you progressing?" — meaningful traction, customer growth, team build-out.
- 36 months: settlement-readiness assessment — substantial progress, ideally jobs created and revenue scaling.
Stage 4 — indefinite leave to remain (after year 3)
After 3 years of continuous IFV residence, you can apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) — UK settlement. ILR requires:
- Endorsing body confirmation that you've met the IFV criteria over 3 years (typically the 36-month contact-point outcome)
- Demonstrating that your business has met at least two of seven settlement criteria — including £50k investment received, doubled customer numbers, or significant job creation
- Continuous UK residence (no more than 180 days outside the UK in any 12-month rolling window)
- Knowledge of Life in the UK Test + English language requirement (CEFR B1)