International students in the United Kingdom will soon be able to switch directly from a student visa to the Innovator Founder visa without travelling out of the country, following a major immigration policy change by the UK government.
The new provision takes effect on 25 November 2025, allowing foreign students to apply for the business-focused visa while still holding valid student status. Previously, applicants were required to leave the UK before initiating the process.
The reform is part of measures recommended in the 2025 UK Immigration White Paper, which pushed for smoother transitions from education to entrepreneurship for foreign graduates. It also aligns with the government’s broader plan to retain global talent and strengthen the country’s start-up ecosystem.
Under the revised rules, eligible students can switch to the Innovator Founder route if they have an innovative and commercially viable business idea, secure an endorsement from an approved endorsing body, and meet all other criteria, including English-language proficiency and proof of personal savings of at least £1,270.
The Innovator Founder visa, which replaced the former Start-up visa, permits holders to establish and operate original businesses capable of scaling nationally and internationally. The visa is valid for three years, can be extended multiple times, and may lead to settlement after the initial three-year period.
Applicants will, however, be required to meet with their endorsing bodies after 12 and 24 months to demonstrate business progress.
The policy shift comes amid wider immigration adjustments affecting work, study, and family visa routes. In a related update, foreign graduates were recently informed they will have 18 months, instead of the current two years, to secure employment under the post-study work regime starting 1 January 2027.
The UK is not alone in targeting entrepreneurial migrants, as similar measures have been introduced in Australia and the United States.
The latest reforms reflect the government’s commitment to attracting skilled innovators who can contribute to economic growth and job creation.
