innovator.lawyer The Innovator Founder practice, by Lawyery
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UK Innovator Founder visa

Turn an innovative idea into a UK business.

innovator.lawyer is the Innovator Founder practice of Chris Dias, an immigration solicitor with over 24 years in practice. From endorsement to settlement, on fixed fees.

Book a free 20 minute consultation About the free pre-assessment tool

Delivered by Lawyery, a firm of solicitors authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority. Your first 20 minutes are free and without obligation.

24+Years in practice
SRARegulated solicitor
FixedFees, agreed in advance
20 minFree consultation

You bring the idea.

We build the case.

The endorsing body decides.

Regulated

Solicitor led

Your application is prepared by Chris Dias, a solicitor regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority, SRA number 226465.

Transparent

Fixed fees

Every service is quoted as a fixed fee before we start. No open ended hourly billing and no surprises on the invoice.

Experienced

24+ years in practice

A career across business immigration, including complex endorsement cases, lapsed sponsor licences and refusals.

Worldwide

Remote first

Consultations happen online, wherever you are in the world. Book a time that suits you and meet your solicitor on screen.

The basics

What is the Innovator Founder visa?

The Innovator Founder route is the UK's visa for entrepreneurs with an innovative, viable and scalable business idea. Before you can apply, your business must be endorsed by an approved endorsing body, which assesses the idea against the criteria in the Immigration Rules.

Get the endorsement right and the visa follows a clear path: three years' initial permission, extensions where the business is progressing, and settlement after three years where the business has met its settlement targets. Get it wrong and nothing else can proceed, which is why our work starts with the business plan rather than the application form.

Your solicitor

Meet Chris Dias.

Chris Dias is a solicitor regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority, SRA number 226465, authorised to provide immigration advice and services under the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999. He co-founded Lawyery with his wife Crystal Dias, and 2026 marks his 25th year in practice.

Proven track record

More than two decades of business immigration work, resolving complex issues such as lapsed sponsor licences, refused endorsements and visa refusals.

Ethical leadership

Author of the 10 Non-Negotiables at ethicalimmigrationadvice.com, a code of ethics for immigration lawyers built on transparency and honest assessments.

A modern firm behind him

Lawyery's virtual first model means online booking, online meetings and secure digital document handling, which keeps fees fixed and overheads out of your bill.

Chris Dias, Innovator Founder visa solicitor
Chris Dias, co-founder of Lawyery, entering his 25th year in practice.
Watch

Chris on the Innovator Founder visa

Chris in conversation with podcaster Shivika Pratap, discussing the intricacies of the Innovator Founder route and what endorsing bodies actually look for.

How we work

From idea to settlement, in four stages.

Our process covers the whole journey, handled by the same named solicitor throughout. Each stage has a fixed fee, and each stage prepares the ground for the next.

1
The filter

Pre-assessment

Start at ukinnovator.online, our free AI powered tool that evaluates your business idea against the Innovator Founder criteria before you spend anything.

  • Business idea evaluation
  • Innovation assessment
  • Viability check
  • Scalability review
Free, before a penny is spent.
2
The gateway

Endorsement

We help you secure endorsement from an approved endorsing body through comprehensive business plan development and due diligence preparation.

  • Business plan creation
  • Market analysis and financial projections
  • Endorsing body submission
  • Interview and due diligence preparation
Nothing proceeds without it.
3
The application

Visa application

Complete visa application support, including form completion, points optimisation, document preparation and family applications.

  • Online form completion
  • 70 points optimisation
  • Document compilation
  • Biometrics scheduling
70 points, evidenced line by line.
4
The long game

Settlement

Long term support for extensions and Indefinite Leave to Remain after three years of continuous residence in the UK.

  • Business progress monitoring
  • Re-endorsement support
  • ILR application
  • Route to British citizenship
Three years from visa to settlement.
AI powered pre-assessment

Test your idea before you invest in it.

ukinnovator.online, built by Legalaid, uses a unique algorithm to pre-assess business ideas against the Innovator Founder criteria: innovation, viability and scalability. It is free to use and takes minutes.

  • AI analysis. Advanced algorithms evaluate your idea against the criteria endorsing bodies actually apply.
  • Instant feedback. An immediate view of your concept's potential, before you commit to fees.
  • Backed by expertise. Built on more than two decades of immigration practice, as a working demonstration of how lawyers can use AI to help clients.

The tool is a pre-assessment only. It does not replace legal advice, and a strong result is not a promise of endorsement.

Try the free pre-assessment Book a legal consultation
Client testimonials

What clients say.

Real recommendations from clients who have worked with Chris Dias on Innovator Founder and business immigration matters.

"Absolutely brilliant. Cannot recommend more highly."

Matthew CookeOscar-nominated filmmaker

"Chris combines his deep and broad understanding of the law with a practical and flexible mindset that ensures success. Could not be more impressed and grateful. 100% recommend!"

Adam LindemannGlobal entrepreneur and investor

"Chris's professionalism, dedication and in-depth knowledge were evident throughout the entire process. He went above and beyond to ensure a smooth and successful application."

Haixiang YuanProduct manager and startup builder

A refused endorsement costs more than any legal fee. The business plan is where the case is won.

Fees

Clear services. Fixed fees.

Every service includes a free 20 minute, no obligation consultation, whether you instruct us or not. All fees are legal fees only and are subject to VAT at the prevailing rate.

Endorsement support

£2,500
Fixed fee package

Tailored business plan development, endorsing body collaboration and due diligence preparation.

  • Market analysis and financial forecasts
  • Advice and assistance on compliant business plans
  • Liaison with approved endorsing bodies
  • Due diligence preparation and support
Book a consultation

Visa application assistance

£2,500
Fixed fee package

Complete guidance through the visa application, with expert form completion and points optimisation.

  • Online form expertise and guidance
  • Points scoring across the 70 point requirement
  • Document preparation and review
  • Application submission support
Book a consultation

Family visa support

£1,500
Per dependent application

Comprehensive support for dependent applications, so your family can join you in the UK.

  • Partner and children's visa applications
  • Eligibility assessment and documentation
  • Family reunion planning
  • Ongoing compliance support
Book a consultation

Indefinite Leave to Remain

£3,000
Including re-endorsement

Strategic planning and support for your pathway to permanent residence after three years.

  • Re-endorsement strategy development
  • Continuous residence guidance
  • Settlement application support
  • Life in the UK Test preparation
Book a consultation

The complete package

Endorsement support and the visa application together, handled end to end by the same solicitor. Save £500 compared with instructing each service separately.

Book a free consultation
£4,500
Endorsement + visa application

Pricing information. All prices quoted are legal fees only and are subject to VAT at the prevailing rate. They do not include UKVI application fees, endorsing body fees, the Immigration Health Surcharge, biometric fees, priority processing fees or other government charges, which are payable directly to the relevant authorities.

Payment terms. Our charges do not guarantee success, and no refund is payable if an endorsement or visa application is refused. The fee is for our professional advice and assistance in preparing and making the application.

An honest note on outcomes. Endorsement is essential before a visa application can proceed. Endorsements and visas are decided by independent third parties, the endorsing bodies and UKVI respectively. We provide expert guidance and have a strong track record, but no lawyer can guarantee the outcome of an application, and you should be wary of anyone who says otherwise.

The firm behind the site

Part of Lawyery.

innovator.lawyer is the Innovator Founder practice of Lawyery, a virtual first boutique law firm founded by solicitors Chris Dias and Crystal Dias, authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority, SRA number 8001894. Every matter is run by a named, qualified solicitor, supported by carefully supervised AI tools where they genuinely help.

Beyond the Innovator Founder route, Lawyery acts across the full range of UK immigration work, so your matter does not need to change firms as your circumstances change.

Where we use AI in your matter, it is supervised: AI-assisted work runs through Countersigned, a five layer supervision process ending in an immutable audit record and a named solicitor's signature. The machine drafts. A named lawyer signs. The record proves it.

Explore Lawyery →

  • Business immigrationSponsor licences, Skilled Worker, Global Talent and compliance
  • Personal immigrationPartner, family and children's visas
  • Settlement and citizenshipIndefinite Leave to Remain and British citizenship
  • Appeals and reviewsAdministrative reviews, appeals and judicial review
  • Employment lawSettlement agreements and workplace disputes
  • Family lawDivorce, finances and child arrangements
Contact

Ready to start your journey?

Book your free 20 minute consultation with Chris Dias to discuss your business idea, your eligibility and your next steps. There is no obligation and no charge for the first conversation.

Book a free consultation Email Chris
  • Phone020 3576 1275
  • Emailchris.dias@lawyery.co
  • Office3 Waterhouse Square, 138-142 Holborn, London EC1N 2SW
    Nearest tube: Chancery Lane. Meetings are online by default; in person by prior arrangement.
  • HoursMonday to Friday, 9.00am to 6.00pm UK time. Consultations available worldwide.