The government of the United Kingdom (UK) has unveiled a new rule allowing foreign students to switch directly to the Innovator Founder Visa within the country.
Effective from November 25, 2025, the new visa rule eliminates the previous requirement for most student visa holders to leave the country to apply.
By allowing foreign students to switch to the Innovator Founder Visa without disrupting their stay, the UK Government said the new rule removes a significant administrative and financial barrier that previously discouraged aspiring business owners.
Pan-Atlantic Kompass reports that an Innovator Founder visa allows foreign students to set up and run an innovative business in the UK.
It must be different from anything else in the market. Also, the business or business idea should have been endorsed by an approved body, also known as an endorsing body. Further, all other eligibility requirements need to be met.
New regulations allow students on a Study visa to switch to the Innovator Founder route from within the UK, enabling them to start their businesses while their applications are processed, overcoming previous restrictions that required them to leave the country.
Foreigners can no longer apply for a Start-up visa; instead, they may consider applying for an Innovator Founder visa to set up a business in the UK.
The implementation of the new visa rules came after the White Paper 2025 had floated the idea to review the Innovator Founder visa to ensure that it supports entrepreneurial talent currently studying at UK universities to move into the entrepreneur visa so that they can build their business and career in the UK.
However, according to a statement published by the UK government, there will be certain conditions to be met before international students can begin their studies in the UK:
The statement reads in part: “A Student may be self-employed under the Innovator Founder visa, if:
(a) They have applied for permission on the Innovator Founder route
(b) That application is supported by an endorsement from an Innovator Founder endorsing body
(c) The application was made when the applicant had permission as a student
How long you can stay
“You can stay for 3 years after switching to an Innovator Founder visa.
There’s no limit on the number of times you can extend your visa.
Proving your identity and supplying supporting documents
“As part of your application, you’ll need to prove your identity. How you do this depends on where you’re from and what type of passport you have.
You’ll either:
“Use the ‘UK Immigration: ID Check’ app to scan your identity document – you’ll also create or sign into your UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account
“Have your fingerprints and photo (biometric information) taken at a visa application centre
You’ll be told what you need to do when you apply.
If you need an appointment:
“You’ll need to take your passport with you to the visa application centre (you’ll be able to collect it on the day)
“You may have to travel to get to your nearest centre (this could be in another country)”
