Sohrab Vazir
Consultant | Founder | Global Citizen
Tag Archives: UK Visa
From Graduate Visa to Innovator Founder Visa: Key Tips
Thinking of switching from the UK Graduate visa to the Innovator Founder visa? Venturing into entrepreneurship may be a suitable option. However, it is important to have a thorough understanding of the Innovator Founder visa. Moreover, I will share some key tips to help you avoid common mistakes and better understand the Innovator Founder pathway. You may have several reasons for considering the Innovator Founder visa. However, it is imperative that you have a genuine intention of starting your own business. Moreover, you must pre-plan extensively for both entrepreneurship and pursuing the Innovator Founder visa. Not just a mere immigration route to stay First and foremost, you must understand that the Innovator route is not merely a way to remain in the UK. It is understandable that it’s challenging to find a sponsored job, especially as you have invested time and money, and wish to build a future in the UK. Nevertheless, the Innovator Founder visa is not a three-year-long visa which allows you to think of your next visa. It requires extensive planning, and a viable business concept. Additionally, you will have checkpoints with your endorsing body at 12 and 24 months into the visa. During these checkpoints, you must show that you have achieved the milestones specified in your initial business plan. Failure to do so may result in the withdrawal of your endorsement and therefore the visa. Utilize your time on the Graduate visa Presuming you have a genuine ambition to pursue entrepreneurship, it is imperative that you use your time on the Graduate visa wisely. One of the key requirements of the Innovator Founder visa is “viability”. This partially concerns your skills and abilities as a founder to successfully launch and scale the business. As such, previous entrepreneurial experience is a key assessment factor for the endorsing bodies. If you lack the aforementioned, you should use your time on the Graduate visa to: On the last point, launching your business, there is a key point to be aware of. The UK Government guidelines state that a business should not be trading upon the endorsement application. However, we have clarified this with one of the endorsing bodies. As long as you are the sole/key founding member of the business, and not join the business after its foundation, you will still qualify for endorsement. Don’t leave it to the last minute One of the worst, and most common mistakes, is leaving everything to the last minute. Planning a business, and producing the required documentation, for example the business plan, is a lengthy process. You should allocate at least 6–12 months (ideally more) before the expiry of your Graduate visa to this. Understand the practicalities of entrepreneurship Lastly, I wish to share some harsh realities of entrepreneurship that I learnt. As a former international student who pursued entrepreneurship after graduation in the UK, I believe I am qualified to share this. First, entrepreneurship is risky. You could do everything correctly, and even have success with the business. Yet, an adverse external event completely outside your control can crush your business. This is the reality of this path, and you should understand and accept this risk. Second, entrepreneurship can make you unemployable, particularly after you spend many years as a founder. I have written a separate article on this subject and I strongly encourage you to read it. Graduate visa to Innovator Founder | Working with me I assist clients interested in the Innovator Founder visa. For a full overview of my services, click on the button below. About | Business consultant and VC scout, specializing in helping founders access funding and scale internationally. At the age of 22, shortly after completing my master’s degree, I launched a PropTech startup under the endorsement of Newcastle University. Over the years, I grew my startup into a presence across 30+ UK cities, hired a total of 13 people, and, through my entrepreneurial journey, achieved both Indefinite Leave to Remain and British citizenship.
Exclusive Interview with Innovator International Director on the UK Innovator Founder Visa
An in-depth conversation with one of the UK’s official endorsing bodies for startup founders If you’re an international entrepreneur looking to establish a business in the UK, the Innovator Founder Visa is likely on your radar. As a business consultant supporting global founders, I’m excited to share a valuable new resource: a recorded interview with Richard Harrison, Director of Innovator International – one of the four UK government-appointed endorsing bodies for the Innovator Founder Visa. In this exclusive discussion, Richard offers clarity on what the endorsement process really involves, what Innovator International looks for in applicants, and how international founders can position themselves for success in the UK startup ecosystem. You can watch the full video here: What We Covered in the Interview The Innovator Founder route can be a powerful gateway for overseas entrepreneurs to build and scale their business in the UK. But the process of endorsement is not always well understood. During our conversation, Richard Harrison and I explored: This conversation is packed with real-world insights directly from someone at the forefront of UK startup migration. Why This Interview Matters The Innovator Founder Visa requires more than just a great idea – it demands a clear commercial strategy, credible business model, and alignment with UK market needs. Hearing directly from an endorsing body can be a game-changer for applicants seeking to avoid costly mistakes and increase their chances of success. Whether you’re: This video offers a transparent look into how endorsement works and how to prepare a competitive application. Full-Scale UK Innovator Founder Visa Support| How We Help Together with my business partner, Denis Menabit, a qualified and IAA-regulated immigration advisor, we offer a comprehensive, end-to-end service for international entrepreneurs applying for the Innovator Founder Visa. Our combined expertise covers both the commercial and immigration aspects of the application process: Whether you’re just getting started or require help refining your submission, we provide tailored support designed to increase your chances of a successful endorsement and visa approval. About | I’m Sohrab Vazir, a UK-based business consultant and VC scout. At 22, while studying as an international postgraduate student, I launched a Property Technology (PropTech) startup with the backing of Newcastle University. I expanded the business to over 30 cities across the UK, built a team of four, and ultimately secured both Indefinite Leave to Remain and British citizenship through my entrepreneurial journey. Today, I support founders in navigating international business mobility and uncovering strategic growth opportunities.
5 disadvantages of moving to the UK as an international entrepreneur or skilled migrant
If you are an international entrepreneur or skilled migrant, and thinking of moving to the UK then you have likely considered the pros and cons of doing so. This article will highlight 5 disadvantages of moving to the UK as an international entrepreneur or skilled migrant. I have recently made a YouTube video covering the topic of moving to the UK as an international entrepreneur or skilled migrant. So, if you’re a “video person” then feel free to browse this topic on my YouTube channel. Nonetheless, let’s talk about moving to the UK as a founder or skilled employee. Most businesses operating in the immigration sector will overwhelm you with the advantages of considering the UK. And they are not necessarily wrong, there are plenty of advantages to moving to the UK. However, my goal is to be as authentic as possible, and represent the interests of international entrepreneurs and skilled professionals migrating to the UK. As such, I deemed it beneficial to dedicate an entire blog article/video to the disadvantages of moving to the UK. This is in light of the current political, economic and social landscapes. So, with that in mind, let’s look at the five disadvantages of moving to the UK on an Innovator Founder visa or as a skilled migrant. The social life (or lack thereof) As mentioned in the video, the UK’s culture is more reserved in contrast to many others around the world. This is simply a fact that you must accept. Nor should you expect a host country to change its culture for you to adapt. Nevertheless, my point here does not refer to the reserved nature of the UK’s social fabric. It refers to a sense of looming “dread” that has taken over the British Isles, especially after the 2020 Pandemic. The majority of people in the UK, with the exception of students, prefer to simply go to work and sit at home and watch TV. Other than that, there’s the culture of binge drinking, which may not appeal to everybody. This can also be partly blamed on the current cost of living crisis, as well as the rise of social media. The latter, in my opinion, has led to a decrease in people’s socialising skills and authenticity. Therefore, if you come from a people-oriented society/culture, which is predominant in Eastern cultures, this can be an issue. The UK’s polarised society There is a major divide between different segments of the society within the UK. As explained in the YouTube video, the key dividing factor in the UK is socio-economic class. Regardless of being wealthy or not, you are somehow demonised by each class. The housing crisis Britain is facing a major housing crisis. I’m sure you can guess the outcome: you have to spend more for less. The UK has a demand-supply deficit of over 4 million homes, according to a report by the Centre for Cities in 2023. Hostility & micro-aggressions that drain your mental health This is a byproduct of several issues such as the current politico-economic climate. Notably, issues such as the refugee crisis and so on. The purpose of this article is not to deconstruct these issues. I aim to paint a clearer picture of issues that international entrepreneurs and skilled migrants may face upon arrival in the UK. The everyday micro-aggressions and general tension within the UK society will eventually be draining. Plus, they add to the many problems that come with being a skilled migrant. In my personal case, for instance, I substantially noticed this when using the NHS services, which I thought was quite unfair. Especially given that I was paying for it via the NHS Health Surcharge. The immigration system Lastly, there is navigating the UK’s immigration system, which is constantly changing and subject to increased and strict scrutiny. Moreover, there is the issue of fee increases on a regular basis. This can really disadvantage certain migrants such as international entrepreneurs. Of course, this is not to argue that the immigration system should accommodate everybody. International founders and skilled migrants are investing their time, skills and money. Thus, this can become a negative factor. These are the 5 disadvantages of moving to the UK as an international entrepreneur or skilled migrant. If you are still considering moving to the UK, and need help, feel free to drop me a message. This is particularly applicable to international founders considering the Innovator Founder visa and who need help with things such as their business plan. About | My name is Sohrab Vazir. I’m a UK-based entrepreneur and business consultant. At the age of 22, and while I was an international student (graduate), I started my own Property Technology (PropTech) business, StudyFlats. I did so by obtaining an endorsement from Newcastle University under the Tier 1 Graduate Entrepreneur Scheme (similar to the current Start-Up Visa). Subsequently, I obtained a further 3-year Tier 1 Entrepreneur Visa (replaced by the Innovator Visa). I grew my business to over 30 UK cities, and a team of four, and also obtained my Indefinite Leave to Remain (Settlement) in the UK. I now help other migrant entrepreneurs, such as myself, with their businesses, and mainly with obtaining endorsements from the endorsing bodies.
3 Things to Consider Before Applying For the Innovator Founder Visa
Applying for the Innovator Founder visa requires thought and careful planning. Not only do you have to make your business a success, but you also have to adjust to living in a new country. None of the content in this article or website shall constitute immigration advice in any shape or form. For immigration queries, please refer to a regulated solicitor or an immigration advisor regulated by the OISC. Here are 3 things that you should keep in mind if you’re considering to apply for the UK’s Innovator Founder visa. Living expenses Aside from your business, you need to account for your living costs. Whilst this may seem obvious, the key point is long-term planning. You need to plan for several scenarios, several of which include: Planning carefully for this is essential and ensures there are no nasty surprises later on. Application, immigration & visa costs Aside from your business and personal expenses, there are other costs too. You must find out whether your endorsing body will charge you and if yes, how much. Depending on your circumstances, these costs can vary. Linguistic & cultural differences Again, this also depends on your circumstances. For some, this may not be an issue in the slightest. However, it may take time to get accustomed to cultural differences and different business practices. Therefore, it’s a good idea to learn about the UK’s business culture and everyday life if you’re unfamiliar. These are three obvious, yet underestimated, things to consider before applying for the Innovator Founder visa. If you need business assistance for your idea/company before applying for the Innovator Founder visa, then get in touch with me today or visit my page to find out more. About My name is Sohrab Vazir. I’m a UK-based entrepreneur and business consultant. At the age of 22, and while I was an international student (graduate), I started my own Property Technology (PropTech) business, StudyFlats.I did so by obtaining an endorsement from Newcastle University under the Tier 1 Graduate Entrepreneur Scheme (similar to the current Start-Up Visa). Subsequently, I obtained a further 3-year Tier 1 Entrepreneur Visa (which was replaced by the Innovator Visa). I grew my business to over 30 UK cities, and a team of four, and also obtained my Indefinite Leave to Remain (Settlement) in the UK. I now help other migrant entrepreneurs, such as myself, with their businesses, and mainly with obtaining endorsements from the endorsing bodies.