Under the updated UK Immigration Rules, Student visa holders who have completed their studies can apply to switch directly into the Innovator Founder route from within the UK from 25 November 2025.
The change, confirmed in the October 2025 Statement of Changes (HC 1333), closes the previous gap that forced most student-entrepreneurs to leave the UK and apply from overseas.
Current Rules
The Innovator Founder visa allows entrepreneurs with a viable, scalable and innovative business idea to live and work in the UK, without needing a traditional sponsor or job offer. It provides an immediate pathway to self-employment and potential settlement after three years, offering long-term stability for genuine entrepreneurs. For students completing their studies, switching directly into this route removes the disruption of leaving the UK and enables them to turn their academic ideas or research into a commercial venture straight after graduation.
To qualify, applicants must secure endorsement from a Home Office-approved body confirming that the business proposal meets the required criteria.
Under the previous rules, only limited groups of Student visa holders, mainly PhD candidates who had completed at least twenty-four months of full-time study, could switch to this route from within the UK. All other students, even those with endorsed business plans, were required to return home to submit a new application.
From 25 November 2025, any Student visa holder who has successfully completed their course may now apply in-country, without having to leave the UK, provided they meet the Innovator Founder eligibility rules, offering a more practical progression for graduates who are ready to start a business after completing their studies.
Student to Innovator Founder Visa: New Rules
A Student visa holder wishing to apply for the Innovator Founder route must first have completed the course for which their visa was granted. The rule applies to all levels of study, including undergraduate, postgraduate and research programmes. PhD students remain eligible once they have completed at least twenty-four months of full-time study, as the earlier twelve-month proposal was not implemented.
Applications must be made before the Student visa expires. The endorsement stage should begin as early as possible since endorsing bodies will evaluate the proposal against the Home Office criteria of innovation, viability and scalability.
Once endorsement is issued, the visa application can be submitted online with evidence of funds, English language ability, endorsement reference and identity documents.
Decisions typically take between three and eight weeks, depending on processing capacity and whether priority services are used.
Other Student Visa Switching Options
As well as the new option to switch to the Innovator Founder route, Student visa holders may also consider their eligibility to remain in the UK through other immigration categories, including the Skilled Worker, Graduate, Scale-Up and Global Talent routes, depending on eligibility and the individual’s post-study goals.
Certain categories remain excluded from in-country switching, including Visitor, Short-term Student, Seasonal Worker and Domestic Worker in a Private Household visas, as well as anyone on immigration bail or temporary admission.
DMS Perspective
For international students planning to start their own UK business after their studies, the change offers a direct route to remain and potentially a direct route to UK ILR.
The key is to finish your course, keep within your Student visa rules, and prepare the business case early so you are ready to file when you get your results.
You can research, plan, prototype and speak to potential customers. You should avoid anything that looks like trading until Innovator Founder is granted. Do not register as a director, do not issue invoices, do not take payments. A breach of Student visa conditions can lead to refusal later.
Endorsement is an expert check on your idea. Pick endorsers that understand your sector. Read their criteria, attend a clinic if offered, and ask what evidence they expect. Aim to show the problem you solve, your solution, early interest from users, route to market, who owns the IP and how you will fund the first 12–18 months. If the university owns any IP, get written assignment before you apply.
You can only apply after your course is formally completed. If endorsement will take time or the product needs more work, think about whether a short spell on the Graduate route helps. Graduate allows full-time work, but self-employment stays off limits. Innovator Founder lets you run the business, and outside work needs to be for your venture. Pick the path that fits your cash needs and build plan.
Budget for endorsement fees, visa fees and living costs. Open a clean business bank account once you are allowed to trade. Keep tidy records: course completion letter, any ATAS where relevant, immigration history, endorsement emails and meeting notes. Good paperwork makes the visa process smoother and helps later for settlement.
Innovator Founder can lead to settlement after three years if your business hits certain outcomes, for example revenue growth, investment or qualifying jobs. Choose the targets that match your model and track them from the start with simple KPIs and monthly bookkeeping. This keeps you honest and gives you evidence when you need it.
Rules and endorser policies change. Subscribe to updates from your chosen endorser and check official guidance before you file. If something shifts, adjust your plan and timeline so you stay compliant.
Need Assistance?
If the Student to Innovator Founder visa is of interest, book a fixed-fee telephone consultation with one of our legal advisers to discuss eligibility and prepare your application strategy.
