Suitable for professionals who have their own business or are part of the senior management team of a company and would like to now start a new business in the UK

. The Innovator category is for more experienced businesspeople seeking to establish a business in the UK.

. Applicants will need a minimum £50,000 funding available to invest in their business.

. Successful Innovators are granted leave for 3 years at a time and can also bring their family members (spouses/partners and children under 18) to the UK.

. Innovators must work entirely on developing their business ventures and may not take on other employment outside their business. This includes anything which effectively amounts to employment, such as using their own business to hire out their labour to another employer.

. After 3 years, Innovators can apply to extend their stay for a further 3 years or to settle permanently in the UK. Each of these 3 stages (initial application, extension, settlement) requires endorsement from an endorsing body.