UK Innovator Founder Visa ILR: FAQs for Swiss Entrepreneurs and Startups

For Swiss entrepreneurs, startups, and forward-thinking businesses looking to expand into international markets, the United Kingdom remains an attractive destination. One of the most compelling immigration options available is the Innovator Founder Visa, a route specifically designed to enable innovative business founders to build and scale their ventures in the UK. More importantly for Swiss nationals with long-term ambitions, this visa offers a direct path to settlement, known formally as Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR).

This article explores the key considerations that Swiss entrepreneurs need to be aware of when navigating the journey from an Innovator Founder Visa to ILR, focusing on eligibility criteria, business endorsement, and alternative options if ILR requirements cannot be met.

Establishing a Business in the UK through the Innovator Founder Visa Route

The Innovator Founder Visa route allows individuals to set up and operate a business in the UK, provided the business is innovative, viable, and scalable. This route is particularly relevant to Swiss startups and entrepreneurs who are developing cutting-edge solutions or seeking to expand into the UK market with a business model that contributes positively to the British economy. After spending three continuous years in the UK under this visa, individuals may apply for ILR, granting them the right to settle in the UK without time restrictions.

Meeting the Requirements for Indefinite Leave to Remain

To be eligible for ILR under the Innovator Founder route, a Swiss applicant must currently hold Innovator Founder status and be physically present in the UK at the time of application. An essential part of the application involves obtaining an updated endorsement letter from a recognised endorsing body. This letter must confirm that the applicant continues to meet the criteria for innovation, viability, and scalability, and has made meaningful progress in the business.

In addition to securing an endorsement, the applicant must demonstrate continuous residence in the UK for the three years preceding the ILR application and show compliance with all suitability and legal requirements under UK immigration law. Furthermore, the Knowledge of Life in the UK test must be passed, evidencing an understanding of British life and culture.

Securing a New Endorsement for ILR Purposes

An updated endorsement letter is crucial to support an ILR application, even for Swiss entrepreneurs who are continuing with the same business venture. This letter must be issued by an endorsing body currently approved by the Home Office or by a legacy endorsing body that previously endorsed the business. While legacy endorsing bodies are no longer authorised to accept new applications, they may continue to support previously endorsed entrepreneurs.

The endorsement letter must confirm various aspects of the business, including its active registration with Companies House, the applicant’s role as a director, and the venture’s operational status. It should provide evidence that the business is trading actively and is financially sustainable for at least the following 12 months. It must also reflect that the applicant has been directly involved in the day-to-day management and development of the business.

To satisfy the ILR criteria, the business must have achieved at least two measurable milestones. These may include significant financial investment, a doubling of customer base relative to market averages, active research and development leading to IP applications, or the creation of full-time employment for UK-settled workers. In terms of revenue, a minimum of £1 million in annual gross revenue—or £500,000 with at least £100,000 attributed to exports—may also be sufficient.

How Job Creation Is Measured in ILR Applications

For Swiss business owners using job creation to satisfy one of the ILR benchmarks, it is important to understand how the Home Office evaluates employment evidence. Each job must have existed for a minimum of 12 consecutive months, must be paid at or above the national minimum wage, and must entail a workload of no less than 30 hours per week. This threshold can also be met by combining multiple part-time roles, provided that each position spans the minimum 12-month period and the cumulative hours meet the full-time equivalence.

Furthermore, the jobs created must be filled by workers who qualified as “settled” under UK immigration rules at the time they commenced employment. These roles must remain continuously filled by settled workers for the entirety of the claimed employment period, even if the workers’ immigration status subsequently changes.

Continuing with the Same Endorsing Body

Swiss applicants can rely on a letter from the same endorsing body that supported their original Innovator Founder Visa application, provided that the body is still recognised by the UK Home Office. This continuity is particularly helpful for Swiss entrepreneurs who have built a close working relationship with their endorsing body. However, it is critical that the new endorsement addresses the full suite of ILR requirements and reflects recent progress and achievements.

Proving Continuous UK Residence as a Swiss National

To qualify for ILR, applicants must have spent a continuous three-year period residing in the UK under Innovator Founder status. The definition of “continuous residence” means that no more than 180 days can be spent outside the UK in any 12-month period during those three years. The applicant must also be physically in the UK when submitting the ILR application. Given the travel demands often associated with running a global business, Swiss entrepreneurs are strongly advised to keep precise travel records and seek legal advice if there is any uncertainty regarding absences.

Multiple Swiss Founders: Unique Evidence for Each ILR Application

Swiss startups often operate with co-founders or leadership teams that include multiple individuals on Innovator Founder Visas. While more than one founder can apply for ILR based on the same business, each applicant must independently satisfy the business success criteria. If job creation is used as a benchmark, for example, and two applicants rely on that criterion, the business must have created double the number of jobs—i.e., 20 jobs instead of 10.

Options for Swiss Entrepreneurs Who Cannot Yet Meet ILR Criteria

If a Swiss applicant is unable to meet the requirements for ILR after three years, they may seek an extension of their Innovator Founder Visa. To do so, the entrepreneur must show that the business remains active, trading, and sustainable. They must also demonstrate continued engagement with their endorsing body, including participation in scheduled review meetings. The endorsement must confirm the applicant’s ongoing involvement in the business and assess future viability.

Alternatively, some Swiss business owners may consider switching to the Skilled Worker visa route through self-sponsorship. This path allows entrepreneurs to sponsor themselves via their own UK-registered company, provided they meet the updated salary and sponsorship requirements introduced in April 2025. This route may be more suitable for structured businesses where the founder takes on a defined employment role.

Legal Support for Swiss Innovators Pursuing UK ILR

The Innovator Founder Visa offers Swiss entrepreneurs a unique opportunity to secure long-term status in one of Europe’s most dynamic business environments. However, the ILR process is complex and requires careful planning and legal insight. At Richmond Chambers, our team of UK immigration lawyers has extensive experience advising Swiss business owners and startups on the requirements for both the Innovator Founder route and permanent residence.

To discuss your options or receive tailored advice, contact our immigration team in Switzerland on +41 21 588 07 70 or submit an enquiry via our website.