FAQs

I am on a Start-up visa and now eager to transition to the Innovator Founder visa. Could you provide me with information about deadlines and the steps needed for me to submit my business plan?

The application process for the “Innovator Founder - Same Business as Previous Endorsement” is different from the “New Business” route. To apply for endorsement under the "Same Business as Previous Endorsement" scheme, please email us at info@ukesapp.co.uk, and we will send you an application form and supporting evidence checklist for the route you require.

What do I need to submit an application?

ID documents:

Passport
Selfie with passport
Proof of address: can be utility bill or a bank statement dated which should be no older than the last 3 months
Second form of ID: e.g. a driving licence, a Biometric Residence Permit, etc.

Business Plan documents required for submission:

Complete Business Plan: please see HERE for a suggested Business Plan template that can be used as a guide for minimum expectations.
Financials: 3-year forecasts to include P&L, Balance Sheet and Cashflow. You can use our suggested financial template as a guide for minimum expectations, which can be found HERE.
CV: The CV will need to show what experience the applicant has in the business sector and any experience of running a business.

What should I include in my business plan?

A successful Business Plan should consist of a narrative section and financial projections for a minimum of three years of operation. For guidance on what we expect as a minimum, please click HERE.

Do you provide tips on what you expect to be included within my financial projections?

For guidance on what we expect as a minimum Financial Pack to support your application, please click HERE to download a financial template (P&L, Balance Sheet and Cash Flow Forecast).

What are the fees that you charge for reviewing my application for endorsement?

We operate on a fixed price agreement as set out by the Home Office in their terms and conditions for endorsement services. These services relate solely to the review of your application as set out in the Home Office guidelines. Reviewing and assessing your application is not a guarantee of endorsement. Should your application be successful, further fees payable for checkpoint reviews will be invoiced at the time of the work being undertaken as they are deemed to be new engagements. Our fees are exclusive of VAT which will be added where it is chargeable:

Innovator Founder assessment fee (New Business & Same Business as Previous Endorsement): £1,000 - due once you make your application
Innovator Founder assessment fee (Settlement in the UK): £1.000 - due once you make your application
Innovator Founder monitoring fee (24-month checkpoint): £500 – due 8 months after your business start date
Innovator Founder monitoring fee (12-month checkpoint): £500 – due 8 months after your business start date
Scale up assessment fee: £1,500 – due once you make your application

For further details please visit the T&C on our website HERE.

Do you refund me if my application is unsuccessful or my visa is not granted?

No refunds are given. Please make sure you are happy with your application before you submit your application. Our services as an Endorsing Body relate solely to the review of your application as set out in the Home Office guidelines. Reviewing and assessing your application is not a guarantee of endorsement.

I / we wish to apply as a team. What are the fees for our application?

Our fees are charged per applicant as described in our T&C on our website HERE.

Do co-founders need to apply separately through the endorsing body, or can we apply jointly under one business plan?

Co-Founders need to apply separately, and application fees are charged per individual. The same business plan can be relied on for each co-founder submission. It is ideal that both co-founders submit their applications around the same time.

Do we need to have evidence of investment funds prior to both the endorsement and visa application? Or would the investment strategy element of our business plan suffice as evidence of how we plan to acquire these funds?

Yes, we will need to check that you have enough funds in place to meet your goals as per your business plan. This can be evidenced by bank statements from a regulated bank or by a formal investment agreement. You will need to obtain this evidence before you submit your application.

Can I arrange a face-to-face meeting or call prior to my submission?

We are unable to carry out meetings prior to your application submission. Please carefully review these FAQs to answer any questions you may have. If you submit a query via our website and your question has been covered in our FAQ’s section, then we will close your enquiry. However, if we believe your question has not been covered then a member of the UKES team will reply to your query via email.

What is your telephone number?

We only reply via email once we receive an enquiry through our website.

I am an immigration lawyer and wish to discuss a client. Can I contact you to discuss further?

We are unable to discuss clients in advance of their application submission. We do host webinars and invite interested applicants and their representatives to attend. Here you can ask questions in the available time. Details of our webinars are kept updated on our website.

Do you provide preliminary endorsement in advance of a full application submission?

We do not pre-approve an applicant’s business idea. We carry out the assessment only once the application has been submitted through the UKES website. As per the guidance for Endorsing Bodies, we are unable to provide any feedback on ideas or plans until an applicant has committed to the application process and made payment for assessment. Once an applicant has committed, we will follow a formal assessment process that includes providing feedback.

Do you work with or recommend any business plan writers? I have the business idea but need help in writing it?

Due to the considerable number of business plan writers in the market, it is important that we maintain impartiality. If you choose to hire a business plan writer, please keep in mind that it is not their responsibility to develop your idea for you. Rather, their role is to assist you in articulating your idea in a clear format. You will need to provide the content and details, as ultimately you are the one who will be responsible for bringing your idea to fruition.

Can I invest in an existing business?

The criteria for participation in this program are well-defined. To qualify, you must be one of the business's founding members, a director or member of the business, and play an active and significant role in its daily management. It is important to note that this program is not intended to provide investment in established businesses.

If I have applied via another endorsing body and they rejected my business idea, can I submit a new application via UKES?

You can apply to UKES for endorsement in the event your application was rejected by another Endorsing Body. You need to make sure that your Business Plan meets the criteria of innovation, scalability and viability as well as passing our anti-money laundering checks.

Can I apply for endorsement even if I need further investment in later years?

Before applying for this program, it is expected that you have access to the necessary funds, either from personal savings or investments, to establish your business to a sustainable position. While you may choose to seek additional investment as your business grows, you must be able to demonstrate that the initial funding you have is enough to make your business sustainable without any additional investment that you haven't secured yet.

Can I apply for the 'Same Business' endorsement after my current Start-up visa expires?

Absolutely, you can apply for the Innovator Founder visa and UKES will be happy to assess your business plan.

Can you help me / us develop the business idea prior to submission?

If you don't have a clearly defined idea backed by thorough research on an opportunity in the UK, then this route may not be the best fit for you.

I have submitted my application and made payment. What happens next?

We aim to deal with your application within 21 days. Should we have any queries we will be in touch with you via the email you provided.

Do I need to show financial evidence that I have the funds to support start-up costs?

Yes, we will need to check that you have enough funds in place to meet your goals as per your business plan. This can be evidenced by bank statements from a regulated bank. You will need to submit this evidence at the time of your application submission.

What is your process for assessing an application?

Please click HERE and scroll to the bottom of the page for an overview.

UKES - Frequently Asked Questions