Sohrab Vazir

UK Innovator Founder Visa

The UK's leading business consultant for international entrepreneurs

Innovator Founder Visa | Overview

The UK Innovator Founder Visa allows non-UK nationals to set up a new business in the UK, provided the business idea is endorsed by an approved Endorsing Body.

This visa category aims to attract entrepreneurs with high-potential business ideas that are innovative, viable, and scalable. 

Requirements

Business Idea
£ Investment
Endorsement
Age
Language
Good Character
Application Fees
The Process

Business Idea

Your business idea must meet three core criteria:

  • Innovative: this must be at the core of your concept, not a secondary dimension.
  • Viable: commercially realistic with a credible path to revenue.
  • Scalable: demonstrable potential to grow beyond a local market.
How I can help: Through an evaluation call, I provide a commercial assessment of your concept: highlighting strengths, identifying weaknesses, and offering actionable recommendations to strengthen your proposal.

Investment

There is no minimum investment requirement for the Innovator Founder Visa.

However, you must have sufficient initial operational capital to launch and scale your business. The amount varies depending on the nature and scale of your business idea.

Endorsement

You must receive an endorsement letter from one of the 4 approved Endorsing Bodies:

Important: Nobody can guarantee an endorsement. Be cautious of any such promises.

Age

You must be at least 18 years old to apply for the Innovator Founder Visa.

Language

You must demonstrate an acceptable knowledge of the English language as part of your visa application.

Good Character

You must be a person of good character and not subject to any of the following:

  • Any material civil or criminal investigation or proceedings relating to corruption, financial crime, or other financial misconduct.
  • Any non-criminal sanction, including disqualification from acting as a director or from performing regulated financial activities in any jurisdiction.

Application Fees

Endorsement Application Fee £1,000 + VAT
Home Office Visa Application Fee £1,274 per person (applying from outside the UK)
£1,590 (applying from inside the UK: extension or switch)
Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) £3,105

The Process

Approximate timeline: subjective and based on estimation:

1
Business plan preparation 3–12 months
2
Endorsement application 4–8 weeks
3
Visa application 3–8 weeks

Innovator Founder Idea Assessment Financial Feedback Market Evaluation Sales Plan Consultation

I do not offer free consultations. 

All clients must book an assessment session (cost: £99) to determine their idea’s feasibility for additional services (advisory program or business plans). This is not negotiable.

Working With Me | The Process

1
Evaluation
Call
2
Choose
Package

Step 1 · Required

Evaluation Call

£99

1 hour · honest commercial assessment of your idea before any further investment.

Note: If your idea isn't ready, I'll advise you not to proceed with further services.

For many founders, the evaluation call alone provides enough clarity and direction. Further services are available, but never assumed.

See packages →

Step 2 · Choose one

Option A

Business Plan Review

£800

Full, detailed feedback on your plan

Option B

Advisory Program

£1,500

Full support · end-to-end guidance

1. Idea Assessment

Commercial stress-test of your business idea to ensure it meets high-growth standards before you proceed with your UK market entry

This session must be booked before purchasing additional services. For many founders, this session alone is sufficient. 

Launching a UK venture is a significant commitment. This assessment identifies whether your proposal meets high-growth commercial benchmarks.

If my analysis shows significant gaps in your model’s viability, I will recommend you to pause rather than investing in further development.

Assessment call
£99 one-off · 1 hour

Idea Feedback

Innovation Assessment

Business Plan Guidance

Financial Evaluation

Skills Assessment

Guideline E-book

Book Evaluation →

2. Additional Services

For many founders, the initial evaluation call alone provides sufficient clarity.

If you choose to continue, you can select the level of support that best suits your needs. Your business is assessed from a commercial and strategic perspective against the core principles commonly considered by endorsing bodies (such as innovation, viability, and scalability), helping you decide on the most appropriate next step.

Business Plan Review

Full review of your plan with expert feedback.

£800 3 sessions

Innovation Assessment

Business Plan Guidance

Financial Review

Legal Compliance

Marketing Plan Evaluation

CV Review

Intro to Professionals

3 Video Call Sessions

Advisory Program

End-to-end guidance from evaluation to endorsement.

£1500 full support

Endorsement Guidance

Business Plan Review

Custom Action Plan

Business Plan Guidance

Innovation Assessment

Financial Review

Funding Guidance (VC & Angel)

Interview Preparation

Business Legal Compliance

Strategy Consulting

Marketing Plan Help

CV Review

Intro to Professionals

Interviews with the Endorsing Bodies

Real-world insight into the UK Innovator Founder Visa from official endorsing bodies. In these exclusive interviews, I have spoken with Innovator International and Envestors about how applications are assessed, and what founders must know about innovation, viability, and endorsement success.

Successful Clients

Testimonials from clients who successfully received their Innovator Founder endorsement. 

More Reviews →

Due to high demand, I’m currently focusing exclusively on strategic reviews and not taking on full business plan writing projects.

UK Innovator Founder Visa

Is your business idea ready
for endorsement?

Book a 1-hour commercial assessment. No sugarcoating — honest, brutal feedback from an expert who scaled a business to 30+ UK cities and obtained British citizenship through the entrepreneurship route.

Most founders spend £3,000–£10,000+ in costs before finding out their idea wasn't ready. One £99 call can save you all of it.

£99 One-off session
1 hour · Video call
Book Your Evaluation Call →

Required before any additional services. No free consultations.

Important notes
Important notes
✕

Please note that I cannot guarantee an endorsement, nor can any other individual or entity.

I provide commercial and strategic feedback on your business concept, focusing on innovation, market positioning, and scalability, along with clear, actionable recommendations to strengthen your proposal.

  • An evaluation session must be booked prior to enrolment on the Advisory Program or purchasing the business plan review package.
  • If, following the evaluation, your business idea is assessed as unsuitable for endorsement, I advise you not to engage in further services. This is to ensure fairness.
  • The Advisory Program does not include business plan writing.
My services are strictly commercial in nature and do not include immigration advice or services under the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999. For any immigration-related matters, you must consult a suitably regulated adviser. Where introductions to such advisers are made, they are provided on an independent basis. I do not supervise, control, or accept responsibility for any immigration advice or services provided.

About

image of Sohrab for Startup and Innovator business plan services provided by Sohrab Vazir

My Journey

Business & personal milestones — from a student visa at 17 to British citizenship through entrepreneurship

By the Numbers

30+

UK Cities Scaled To

1k+

Students Consulted

50+

Countries of Enquiry

The Journey

Age 17

Moved to the UK Alone on a Student Visa

Moved to the UK alone in pursuit of further education. Completed a Master's Degree in International Law. Obtained 3 separate Student Visas.

Post-masters

Tier 1 Graduate Entrepreneur Visa

Endorsed by Newcastle University — one of only 20 out of 6,000 students annually.

Endorsed by Newcastle University

NatWest

NatWest Entrepreneur Accelerator

Accepted onto the NatWest Entrepreneur Accelerator Programme — a former legacy Endorsing Body for the Innovator Visa.

Scaling StudyFlats

Tier 1 Entrepreneur Visa

Initial & Extension. Scaled StudyFlats to 30+ UK cities and 10,000 student rooms.

2020

COVID-19 Devastated the Business

The pandemic wiped out the student accommodation market overnight. StudyFlats took a severe hit. Despite this, Visa status was retained and the entrepreneurship journey continued.

Setback — Not the End

ILR

Indefinite Leave to Remain

Indefinite Leave to Remain granted through the Entrepreneurship Route.

Final Milestone

British Citizenship

British Citizenship obtained through the Entrepreneurship Route. No lawyer used throughout the entire journey.

Mission Complete

Business Services

These services are provided through the business plan review and the Advisory Program packages. 

Endorsement Guidance & Assistance ⌄
Commercial and strategic guidance to help strengthen your UK Innovator Founder Visa endorsement application. I assess your concept against the core innovation, viability, and scalability criteria used by the approved Endorsing Bodies — giving you clear, actionable feedback on where your proposal stands and how to improve it.
Business Idea Feedback & Evaluation ⌄
A rigorous commercial stress-test of your business idea against the UK Innovator Founder Visa's high-growth benchmarks. I identify whether your concept demonstrates sufficient innovation, scalability, and commercial potential — before you invest further time or money in development.
Business Plan Review ⌄
Detailed commercial review of your Innovator Founder business plan covering innovation positioning, market viability, financial projections, scalability strategy, and overall clarity. Designed to strengthen your proposal before it reaches the Endorsing Body's evaluation committee.
Cultural Proficiency ⌄
Practical guidance on navigating the UK business culture, market norms, and professional environment as an international founder. Understanding cultural context is critical to both your endorsement application and your long-term success in the UK market.
£
Funding ⌄
Strategic guidance on funding options for Innovator Founder Visa applicants — including VC, Angel Investment, and grant opportunities in the UK. I help you understand what type of funding is appropriate for your stage and how to position your business to attract it.
Introductions & Referrals ⌄
Where relevant, I can facilitate introductions to other professionals within my network — including legal, financial, and business specialists. These are provided on an independent basis and do not constitute immigration advice or supervised referrals.
Strategy & Market Research ⌄
Strategic guidance on business model refinement, UK market entry strategy, and competitive positioning. I help you analyse market demand, identify your target audience, and build a commercially credible go-to-market strategy aligned with the Innovator Founder Visa's scalability requirements.
Skills Assessment ⌄
An honest assessment of your skills, background, and experience as they relate to your proposed Innovator Founder business. I evaluate whether your personal credentials credibly support your business concept — a key factor that Endorsing Bodies consider when reviewing applications.

Team

Business consulting with access to independent immigration support

Immigration advice is provided separately and independently by a regulated adviser and does not form part of my services.

Sohrab Vazir

Business Consultant

10 years of experience with start-ups and tech innovation. Sohrab has successfully navigated the UK's immigration system and obtained British citizenship.

denis menabit innovator founder visa self-sponsorship uk services

Denis Menabit

Immigration Consultant

Denis has a strong and extensive track record in the UK's immigration law. She is an IAA-regulated advisor and provides immigration advice independently in her own capacity as an IAA-regulated adviser.

🗨️ Innovator Founder Visa | FAQ

What is the UK Innovator Founder visa?

The UK Innovator Founder visa is for those who wish to set up a business in the UK.

Can you help with the Innovator Founder Visa endorsement?

My help consists of assessing your business on the basis of its viability in the UK. 

Endorsement advisory may be offered by the OISC-regulated advisor whom I work with. 

Please note that nobody can guarantee an endorsement (beware of any such promises).

Do you work with all types of businesses?

Yes. Whether you’re a solo entrepreneur, a small business or a medium organisation seeking to establish a UK branch, I am able to help.

There are certain businesses which I will not work with due to ethical and legal considerations.

Do you only help with specific types of businesses or industries?

No, I work with a very broad range of businesses. 

However, there are certain exceptions & specific types of industries which I may not be able to assist with due to ethical or legal considerations. 

Do you provide immigration advice?

No. My services are only of a business advisory nature. 

For immigration advice or services, I will refer you to an OISC-regulated advisor that I work with.

Can you negotiate the prices or provide a discount?

No. My prices have been adjusted to make it viable for both myself and the clients. 

What is the process of working with you?

2 stages:

1. Evaluation session: I will assess your idea against the endorsement criteria and provide actionable feedback. For many clients, this session alone is sufficient.

2. Engagement in further services: if I deem that your idea has potential for endorsement, you can enrol in my Advisory Program or other services such as business plan review and/or writing. If your idea is not suitable for endorsement, I generally will not provide other services unless they are general commercial assistance.

Note: all clients must book an evaluation session, and I do not provide free consultations. This cannot be negotiated.  

Can we first have a "quick call"?

No. 

My services and professional/educational background are laid out clearly in this website. 

As much as I would like to have a chat, it is logistically not possible for me to do so with my current inquiry volumes.

Can you sign a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA)?

I do not sign NDAs at any stage of my work. Here’s why:

  • Confidentiality is already built in: all client matters are treated with strict confidence as a professional standard. Our engagement agreements include confidentiality clauses that offer the same protection as an NDA.

  • Unnecessary legal risk: NDAs often create broad obligations that could create exposure to claims even when acting in good faith. By avoiding NDAs, I remove unnecessary legal complexity while still safeguarding your information.

  • Fairness across clients: I work with multiple clients in overlapping industries. Some NDAs are drafted so widely that they could unfairly restrict me from applying general expertise to other projects.

  • Practicality: NDAs are difficult to enforce internationally and rarely add meaningful protection beyond what is already in place.

In short: while I don’t sign NDAs, you can be assured that everything you share is treated as strictly confidential, both ethically and contractually.

🗨️ Services | FAQ

Evaluation Call

What happens during the evaluation call?

The session is a structured, one-to-one video call in which I assess your business idea from a commercial and strategic perspective.

I will ask you questions about your concept, your target market, your background, and your current stage of development. Based on your answers, I will provide direct, actionable feedback on the strengths and weaknesses of your proposal against high-growth commercial benchmarks commonly associated with innovation, viability, and scalability.

By the end of the call, you will have a clear commercial assessment of your idea and concrete recommendations on what, if anything, needs to be strengthened before you proceed.

How long is the session?

1 hour.

Is it a video call or a phone call?

Video call, but it can be an audio call if you prefer. 

Will you tell me if my idea is not suitable for endorsement?

I will give you an honest commercial assessment of your idea. If, in my view, your concept has significant gaps in its innovation, viability, or scalability from a business perspective, I will tell you clearly — and I will recommend that you do not proceed with further services.

This is a deliberate part of how I work. I would rather give you an uncomfortable truth early than have you invest time and money into a process that is unlikely to succeed.

Please note: I cannot predict or determine endorsement outcomes, as this is the sole decision of the relevant endorsing body. My assessment is strictly commercial in nature and does not constitute immigration advice.

How do I prepare for the call?

Come prepared to talk about your business idea: what it is, what problem it solves, who it is for, your target market, and your relevant background and experience.

If you have any supporting materials such as a business plan, pitch deck, or financial projections, you are welcome to send them to me ahead of the call for context. There is no requirement to do so, it is entirely up to you.

You do not need to have everything figured out. The session is designed to assess where you are and what needs to be strengthened, not to evaluate a finished product.

 

 

Can I move straight to the Business Plan Review or Advisory Program after the call?

Yes, if following the evaluation I assess that your idea has strong commercial potential, we can discuss next steps at the end of the call.

However, the evaluation call is a prerequisite for both services, you cannot enrol in the Advisory Program or purchase the Business Plan Review without completing it first.

This is to ensure that further investment of your time and money is justified.

If I assess that your idea is not yet at the right stage commercially, I will be transparent about that and advise you not to purchase further services.

Business Plan Review

Why should I trust your feedback on my business plan?

I have worked with over 150 clients and reviewed business plans across a wide range of industries, including plans that had already secured millions in angel and VC funding and were seeking endorsement, founders/clients who got endorsed and plans from founders who had previously been rejected and came to me to understand why and rebuild.

Having seen refusals firsthand, I know exactly where plans fall short and what endorsing bodies scrutinise most closely from a commercial standpoint.

Beyond that, I have been through the UK entrepreneurship visa journey myself, scaling a tech venture across 30+ UK cities, which ultimately led to my ILR and British citizenship.

I am not offering theoretical advice. I know what it takes commercially, and I will tell you directly.

What does the Business Plan Review include?

I am not taking business plan writing projects at this time. 

How does the review work, and how many rounds of feedback do I get?

Once you have completed the evaluation call and purchased the Business Plan Review, you send me your business plan ahead of our first session. I will review it commercially and we will go through my feedback together on a video call, covering the key areas that need to be addressed.

The package includes three video call sessions in total. These are not rigid, sequential stages, how we use them depends on where your plan is and what it needs.

We may use subsequent sessions to go deeper on specific areas, review a revised version of your plan, or stress-test particular elements of your model.

Between sessions, you will be expected to incorporate the feedback and make revisions.

The process is collaborative, I will tell you what needs to change and why, but the writing and revisions remain your responsibility.

Can you guarantee my business plan will be endorsed?

No, and you should be cautious of anyone who claims they can.

Endorsement decisions are made solely by the endorsing bodies and are based on their own assessment process. What I can do is give you the most thorough and honest commercial review possible, identify weaknesses before they become reasons for rejection, and give you the best possible foundation to proceed with confidence.

My services are strictly commercial in nature and do not constitute immigration advice. Endorsement outcomes are the sole determination of the relevant endorsing body.

Do I need to have completed the evaluation call first?

Yes. The evaluation call is a prerequisite for the Business Plan Review and cannot be skipped.

This is not a formality. Before committing to a full review, I need to assess your idea commercially to ensure that further investment of your time and money is justified. If your concept is not yet at the right stage, I will tell you and recommend that you do not proceed.

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