International students in the United Kingdom including thousands of Nigerians will soon be able to switch directly to the Innovator Founder visa without exiting the country, following major updates in the UK’s immigration rules.
The new rule takes effect on November 25, 2025, as part of the changes announced in the UK’s Statement of Changes (HC 1333) issued in October 2025.
Easier Pathway for Student Entrepreneurs
Previously, students were required to return home before applying for the business-focused Innovator Founder route. The updated rule now removes this barrier, making the process significantly easier for entrepreneurial students.
Under the new system, students holding a valid Study visa will be able to transition into the Innovator Founder route from within the UK, allowing them to begin building their business ideas while their applications are being processed — but only after satisfying key conditions set by the Home Office.
This update aligns with recommendations in the UK Immigration White Paper 2025, which pushed for smoother pathways enabling international students with viable entrepreneurial ideas to remain in the UK and contribute to its innovation economy.
What the Innovator Founder Visa Offers
The Innovator Founder visa is for individuals seeking to establish and run innovative, viable, and scalable businesses in the UK ideas that are different from what already exists in the market.
To be eligible, applicants must:
- Present a credible business plan
- Secure an endorsement from an approved Innovator Founder endorsing body
- Prove that the idea is innovative, viable, and scalable
- Meet English language and financial requirements
With the Start-Up visa fully discontinued, the Innovator Founder visa now serves as the primary business route for foreign graduates who want to launch new ventures in the UK.
Conditions Students Must Meet
Under the updated rules, international students can switch to the Innovator Founder visa without leaving the UK, but only if they meet all of the following:
- They have completed the course for which their Student visa was granted.
- Their business idea has been endorsed by an approved Innovator Founder endorsing body.
- They submitted their Innovator Founder visa application while still holding a valid Student visa.
- For PhD students, they must have completed at least 24 months of study.
Students who do not meet these conditions cannot switch and would still need to apply from their home country.
The new policy also clarifies what a student can do after applying:
- A student may begin business or self-employment activities only if they have submitted a valid Innovator Founder application and they have a valid endorsement.
- Without endorsement, students cannot start the business.
- They must maintain lawful immigration status throughout the entire process.
This ensures only serious applicants with approved business ideas begin entrepreneurial activity.
Final Thought
The UK’s decision to allow international students including Nigerians to switch to the Innovator Founder visa without leaving the country is a major step toward retaining global talent.
By removing previous barriers, the UK is creating a more welcoming environment for young innovators already studying in its universities.
As the new policy takes effect in November 2025, many students are expected to take advantage of this pathway to build groundbreaking ventures, contribute to the UK economy, and pursue entrepreneurial success.
