At JNS Solicitors, we provide compliance support for Innovator Founder Visa holders throughout the 3-year visa term. We help you stay on track for endorsement renewal and settlement (ILR).
We actively monitor your progress, advise on what evidence to collect, and prepare you for each contact point meeting with your endorsing body. By the time your ILR application is due, your documentation is ready.
We have handled over 100 Innovator Founder cases. We recommend starting this service as soon as you receive your visa.
What the Compliance service covers
We guide you from the day you receive your visa until you are ready to apply for settlement. Here is what we do.
Ongoing monitoring. We track your business performance throughout the 3-year visa term. We advise on what steps to take to demonstrate active work on your business and strong commercial progress.
Contact point meeting preparation. At 12, 24, and 36 months, you have mandatory meetings with your endorsing body where you present evidence of your progress. We help you prepare for each checkpoint, making sure you have the right documentation and that it clearly shows business performance.
Business review. We assess your business the same way a Home Office caseworker will. We look at your business structure, financial records, employment documentation, and compliance position. You know exactly what to expect.
Gap identification. If we spot gaps in your progress towards the ILR criteria, we help you address them early, while there is still time to fix them.
Endorsement protection. If your endorsement is at risk, we help you take the right steps to secure renewal, or at minimum, an extension.
Home Office communications. Once your visa is granted, Home Office can ask questions at any time. They might query a bank transaction or request business documents. We help you handle these communications. We do not draft responses for you, but we review what you write and advise on how to respond.
Why start early
We recommend starting as soon as you receive your visa. The earlier you engage, the stronger your position when endorsement renewal or ILR comes due.
One of our clients signed up for Compliance from day one. He stayed in regular contact, followed our guidance, and kept his documentation in order throughout. His business did not generate huge profits, but his case was well prepared. He got his ILR decision in two weeks.
Clients who wait until year two or three often find themselves scrambling to gather evidence and fill gaps. Those who start from day one are in a much better position.
The common mistake
Many clients relax after receiving their visa, thinking the hard part is over. This is a misconception.
The 3 years between visa grant and settlement go quickly. You need to be actively trading, generating sustainable revenue, and building a track record that shows your business is viable and scalable.
Without strong, ongoing business performance, endorsement renewal will fail. It does not matter how many criteria you think you can tick on paper. If the underlying performance is not there, the endorsement will not be renewed.
The ILR criteria
To qualify for settlement, you need to meet at least two of the following criteria. We help you understand which ones are realistic for your business and guide you on how to evidence them.
| Criteria | Threshold |
|---|---|
| Investment | At least £50,000 received and actively spent towards the assessed business plan |
| Customer growth | Customer numbers at least doubled in the most recent three years, exceeding the average for comparable UK businesses |
| Research and development | Significant R&D activity with intellectual property protection applied for in the UK |
| Revenue (option 1) | Minimum annual gross revenue of £1 million in the last full year |
| Revenue (option 2) | Minimum annual gross revenue of £500,000 in the last full year, with at least £100,000 from exports |
| Job creation (option 1) | At least 10 full-time jobs created for resident workers |
| Job creation (option 2) | At least 5 full-time jobs created for resident workers, each paying an average salary of at least £25,000 per year |
Standalone or bundled with ILR support
You can purchase the Compliance service on its own, or bundle it with ILR application support. We offer flexibility depending on your needs.
We work with both existing JNS clients and new clients who come to us specifically for compliance support.
Note on dependants
Dependants cannot apply for ILR at the same time as the main applicant. They need 5 years of residence (compared to 3 years for Innovator Founders). They must first apply for a visa extension for another 2 years, then become eligible for ILR. We can help all family members with their applications.
Frequently asked questions
When should I start the Compliance service?
We recommend starting as soon as you receive your visa. The earlier you engage, the more time you have to build evidence and address any gaps before your first contact point meeting at 12 months.
What happens at a contact point meeting?
At 12, 24, and 36 months, you meet with your endorsing body to present evidence of your business progress. They assess whether you are actively trading and making reasonable progress against your original business plan. We help you prepare the right documentation and anticipate the questions they will ask.
Can you help if my endorsement is at risk?
Yes. If your endorsing body has raised concerns or you are worried about renewal, we can assess your position and advise on the steps needed to protect your endorsement. In some cases we can help you secure renewal; in others, we focus on obtaining an extension to give you more time.
Do I need to meet all seven ILR criteria?
No. You need to meet at least two of the seven criteria to qualify for settlement. We help you identify which two are most realistic for your business and guide you on how to evidence them properly.
What if I haven’t made much progress in year one?
It depends on the reason. Endorsing bodies understand that some businesses take time to gain traction. What matters is that you can show active work on your business and a credible path forward. We help you present your situation in the strongest possible light and identify what steps to take before your next review.
Can I use this service if another firm handled my visa?
Yes. We work with both existing JNS clients and new clients who come to us specifically for compliance support. If another firm handled your initial visa application, we can still help you prepare for contact point meetings and settlement.
Fees
Our fees for the Compliance service range from £2,500 to £4,600, depending on the level of support required. View our full fee schedule.