Innovator Founder visa: Indian citizen in United States → United Kingdom
Indian citizens living in the United States need a UK Innovator Founder visa — apply online on gov.uk and give biometrics at a UK visa application centre in the United States.
Lets you set up and run an innovative business in the UK if an approved endorsing body assesses that your business idea meets the requirements.
- Validity
- You can stay for 3 years if you come to the UK on an Innovator Founder visa.
- Entries
- Multiple entry for the duration of your visa.
- Max stay per visit
- Up to 3 years; you can apply to extend your visa.
When to start
Start 30 days–3 months before your travel date.
Getting an appointment in United States
- 38 centre locations nationwide plus premium centres (VFS directory, captured 2026-06-11). Ten are full-service Mon–Fri: New York, Washington DC, Chicago, LA, San Francisco, Houston, Atlanta, Boston, Miami, Seattle; the rest (Phoenix, Denver, Dallas, Portland, Philadelphia and more) run limited schedules.
- With this density, comparing two or three cities usually finds a near-term slot.
- No recent public wait-time reports found for the US — the band below is general guidance.
You can apply if you want to set up and run an innovative business in the UK.
You'll need to get an endorsing body to assess that your business idea meets the requirements.
Complete the application on gov.uk. It costs £1,357 per person if you apply outside the UK, plus the healthcare surcharge.
As part of your application, you'll need to prove your identity and provide your documents.
From outside the UK you'll usually get a decision on your visa within 3 weeks.
What you'll need
- Endorsement letter — An 'endorsement letter' to show that an endorsing body has assessed your business or business idea. ✓ verified
- Passport / identity document — A valid passport or other document that shows your identity and nationality. ✓ verified
- Proof of funds — Bank statements showing you've had at least £1,270 in savings in your bank account for 28 consecutive days before you apply. ✓ verified
- Proof of English language — Proof that you meet the English language requirement. ✓ verified
- Tuberculosis (TB) test results — Your tuberculosis test results if you're from a country where you have to take the test. ✓ verified· you're from a country where you have to take the test
Where you'll apply
Because you live in the USA, you apply at a UK Visa Application Centre in the US — not in your home country. There are UK visa application centres in 30+ US cities (including Los Angeles, San Francisco, Washington DC, Chicago, Houston, Dallas, Miami, Atlanta, Boston, Philadelphia and Seattle). Use the official VFS US centre directory (linked below) to find and book the one nearest you.
- UK Visa Application Centres — United States — serves 30+ locations across the US — find and book your nearest
Fees
| Innovator Founder visa (apply from outside the UK) | GBP 1357 |
Gotchas to watch
- You must give evidence of planning that includes creating jobs and growing into national and international markets.
- Getting an endorsement from an approved endorsing body is required before you apply, and the endorsing body must keep assessing your business while you're in the UK.