Work & skilled workersEffectiveMedium impactVerified

Endorsing bodies for Innovator Founder and Scale-up visas list updated

🇬🇧 United KingdomStartup1 recorded versionLast change 7 Aug 2026

ConfidenceVery high · 100%

Current rules

The list of authorised organisations that can endorse applications for Innovator Founder and Scale-up visas has been updated, including removals, additions, and clarifications on endorsement scope. Specifically, SFC Capital, MedCity, NatWest Entrepreneur Accelerator, Innovate Britain, and Community and Business Partners have been removed from the Legacy Innovator Endorsing Bodies list. Glasgow Caledonian University and University of the West of England were added. Global Entrepreneurs Programme (GEP) was specified to only issue endorsements for the Innovator Founder visa. Information regarding the cost of endorsement and contact point meetings for Innovator Founder visas was added. The order of Business Endorsing Bodies was updated multiple times.

Overview

The UK government has revised the official list of endorsing bodies for Innovator Founder and Scale-up visas. Key changes include the removal of several legacy endorsing bodies and clarification on the scope of endorsement for the Global Entrepreneurs Programme. Applicants for these visas must consult the updated list to ensure their chosen endorsing body is authorised.

Who is affected by the latest change

Innovator Founder applicants
Scale-up visa applicants
UK businesses seeking Scale-up sponsorship
Existing Innovator/Start-up migrants using legacy endorsers

What changed in the latest version

Before

Before, certain organisations could endorse people for Innovator or Legacy Innovator visas. These included SFC Capital, MedCity, NatWest Entrepreneur Accelerator, Innovate Britain, and Community and Business Partners. The Global Entrepreneurs Programme (GEP) could endorse for a wider, unstated range of visas.

After

The list of approved organisations that can endorse people for Innovator Founder and Scale-up visas has been updated. This includes removing some organisations, adding new ones, and making the scope of endorsement clear. Specifically, SFC Capital, MedCity, NatWest Entrepreneur Accelerator, Innovate Britain, and Community and Business Partners are no longer on the list of older (legacy) endorsers for Innovator visas. Glasgow Caledonian University and the University of the West of England were added. The Global Entrepreneurs Programme (GEP) was specified to only endorse people for the Innovator Founder visa. Information was added about the cost of endorsement and about meetings for Innovator Founder visas. The order of Business Endorsing Bodies was updated many times.

This update is important for people who plan to apply for an Innovator Founder or Scale-up visa. The endorsing organisation they choose is key for a valid application. Removing some organisations means applicants cannot get endorsements from them anymore. Adding new organisations gives new choices. Making it clear what the Global Entrepreneurs Programme (GEP) can endorse for Innovator Founder visas helps applicants go to the right organisations. The new information about endorsement costs and meetings makes things clearer. It helps applicants plan their money and arrangements for their application.

Explained simply

Imagine you want to start a cool new business in the UK, or you're part of a fast-growing company. To do this, you need a special permission from certain organisations – like getting a golden ticket. The government regularly updates the list of who can give out these golden tickets. Recently, some organisations were removed from this list, and one organisation (GEP) can now only give tickets for specific types of new businesses. So, if you're trying to get one of these golden tickets, make sure the organisation you're talking to is still on the official list, or your ticket won't count!

Frequently asked

Version history

v1Effective 7 Aug 2026EffectiveMedium impact
Endorsing bodies for Innovator Founder and Scale-up visas list updated
UK Visas and Immigration has updated its list of approved organisations that can endorse people for Innovator Founder and Scale-up visas. The last update was on 7 August 2026. Several organisations are no longer on the list of older (legacy) endorsers for Innovator visas. These include SFC Capital, MedCity, NatWest Entrepreneur Accelerator, Innovate Britain, and Community and Business Partners. The Global Entrepreneurs Programme (GEP) can now only endorse people for Innovator Founder visas. Two new endorsing organisations were added: Glasgow Caledonian University and the University of the West of England. New information was also added about the cost to get an endorsement and about meetings for Innovator Founder visa applicants.

Timeline

Takes effect
7 Aug 2026
The list of authorised organisations that can endorse applications for Innovator Founder and Scale-up visas has been updated, including removals, additions, and clarifications on endorsement scope. Specifically, SFC Capital, MedCity, NatWest Entrepreneur Accelerator, Innovate Britain, and Community and Business Partners have been removed from the Legacy Innovator Endorsing Bodies list. Glasgow Cal
Announced
13 Apr 2023
The UK government has revised the official list of endorsing bodies for Innovator Founder and Scale-up visas. Key changes include the removal of several legacy endorsing bodies and clarification on the scope of endorsement for the Global Entrepreneurs Programme. Applicants for these visas must consult the updated list to ensure their chosen endorsing body is authorised.

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