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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 visas for the Innovator or old Innovator routes. These included SFC Capital, MedCity, NatWest Entrepreneur Accelerator, Innovate Britain, and Community and Business Partners. The Global Entrepreneurs Programme (GEP) could endorse a wider range of visas. The exact types of visas were not specified.

After

The list of approved organisations that can endorse applications for Innovator Founder and Scale-up visas has been updated. Some organisations were removed, some were added, and some rules were clarified. SFC Capital, MedCity, NatWest Entrepreneur Accelerator, Innovate Britain, and Community and Business Partners have been removed from the list of old Innovator Endorsing Bodies. Glasgow Caledonian University and the University of the West of England were added. The Global Entrepreneurs Programme (GEP) can now only endorse the Innovator Founder visa. New information was added about the cost of an endorsement and meetings for Innovator Founder visas. The order of Business Endorsing Bodies was also updated many times.

This update is important for anyone planning to apply for an Innovator Founder or Scale-up visa. The endorsing body they choose is very important for a valid application. Some organisations have been removed. This means applicants can no longer get endorsements from them. New organisations have been added, giving more options. The clarification about the Global Entrepreneurs Programme (GEP) for Innovator Founder visas helps applicants find the correct bodies. The new information on endorsement costs and meetings offers clearer details. This helps applicants plan their finances and other 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

  1. 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, known as endorsing bodies. These bodies give endorsements for Innovator Founder and Scale-up visas. The last update was on 7 August 2026. Several organisations are no longer on the list of old Innovator Endorsing Bodies. These include SFC Capital, MedCity, NatWest Entrepreneur Accelerator, Innovate Britain, and Community and Business Partners. The Global Entrepreneurs Programme (GEP) can now only endorse Innovator Founder visas. It cannot endorse other types. Two new endorsing bodies have been added: Glasgow Caledonian University and the University of the West of England. New information was also added about endorsement costs and meetings for Innovator Founder visa applicants.

Timeline

  1. 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

  2. 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.

Other routes in this country

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