International students in the United Kingdom can now transition directly from a student visa to the Innovator Founder visa without leaving the country, following a new policy that takes effect on November 25, 2025.
The reform aligns with recommendations in the UK White Paper 2025, which called for a smoother pathway from academic study to entrepreneurial activity for foreign students.
Previously, graduates were required to exit the UK before applying for the Innovator Founder visa, a barrier that has now been removed.
The Innovator Founder visa, which replaced the former Start-up visa, enables foreign nationals to establish and run innovative businesses in the UK. Applicants must present an original and commercially viable business concept and obtain endorsement from an approved body.
Under the revised policy, international students may pursue self-employment through the Innovator Founder route provided they apply while still holding valid student status, secure endorsement from a recognised Innovator Founder endorsing body, and meet all other eligibility conditions, including proving that their business proposal is viable and scalable.
The reform forms part of a wider overhaul of UK immigration rules, which introduces a unified “Part Suitability” framework for visa refusals and updates across work, study, and family visa categories.
It also reflects a growing global trend of countries seeking to attract and retain skilled migrants with entrepreneurial potential, similar to recent initiatives launched in Australia and the United States.