In a significant and welcome policy shift, UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) has announced a game-changing update that will open new doors for international students in the UK. Starting November 25, 2025, students on a valid Student visa will be permitted to switch directly to the Innovator Founder visa from within the UK.
This pivotal change removes a major hurdle that previously forced entrepreneurial graduates to leave the country to apply from abroad, often disrupting business plans and incurring significant additional costs.
A Strategic Move to Retain Global Talent
This policy update is a clear signal from the UK government aimed at retaining the brightest entrepreneurial minds who have chosen the UK for their education. Instead of losing this talent pool after graduation, the new rule encourages students to launch their innovative businesses within the UK, directly contributing to the economy through job creation and innovation.
This is particularly impactful for students from countries like Ghana, which consistently sends a large and vibrant cohort of over 50,000 students annually to UK institutions. It provides a clear, practical, and stable pathway for them to build their startups and pursue long-term settlement.
What is the Innovator Founder Visa?
The Innovator Founder visa, which replaced the Start-up visa in 2023, is designed for experienced entrepreneurs to establish and run an innovative business in the UK. Its key differentiator is its focus on the quality and potential of the business idea rather than a large capital requirement.
Key Features:
· No Minimum Investment: Unlike some previous routes, it does not require a minimum £50,000 investment.
· Path to Settlement: It offers a direct route to Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) after just three years, provided you meet the success criteria, such as job creation or significant revenue growth.
· Initial Duration: The visa is initially granted for up to 3 years and is renewable.
Key Takeaways from the New Update
- Elimination of the “Trip Home” Barrier: The most significant change is the ability to apply for the Innovator Founder visa from within the UK. This streamlines the process and reduces both stress and cost for graduating students.
- Eligibility Criteria: To switch, you must:
· Hold a valid Student Visa.
· Have completed your course of study.
· Secure an endorsement from an approved UK body.
· Meet the financial requirement of £1,270 in personal savings. - The Crucial Endorsement: The cornerstone of the application is the endorsement. You must obtain an endorsement letter from a UK-approved body that certifies your business idea is innovative, viable, and scalable. This process can take several weeks and typically involves a fee of around £1,000.
- Permission to Start Immediately: In a major benefit, students can legally begin working on their business—including self-employment and business setup activities—as soon as they have submitted their endorsed application, even while their Student visa is still valid and the new application is under processing.
- Cost Consideration: Prospective applicants should be prepared for the total cost, which for a single applicant typically exceeds £4,000 when factoring in the application fee, endorsement fee, and the three-year Immigration Health Surcharge.
Why This is a “Game-Changer” for International Students
Amid a general tightening of UK immigration rules, this update stands out as a proactive measure to support international students. It acknowledges their potential as innovators and provides a structured, attainable pathway to transition from studying to entrepreneurship and, ultimately, settlement. It offers a valuable alternative or successor to the Graduate Route, providing a long-term future for those with a truly entrepreneurial spirit.
How We Can Help You Navigate This Opportunity
Navigating the Innovator Founder visa process, especially the endorsement stage, requires careful planning and a strong business proposition. This is where professional guidance becomes invaluable.
At Extreme Performance Travel Consult, our expertise extends beyond travel to comprehensive immigration and settlement consultancy. We can assist you with:
- Eligibility Assessment: Evaluating your profile and business idea against the Innovator Founder criteria.
- Business Plan Development: Helping you refine your business idea into a compelling, endorsement-ready plan that meets the innovation, viability, and scalability requirements.
- Endorsement Body Strategy: Guiding you in selecting and approaching the most suitable approved endorsing bodies.
- Application Support: Ensuring your visa application is complete, accurate, and submitted correctly to avoid delays or refusals.
Your innovative business idea could be your ticket to a long-term future in the UK. Don’t navigate this complex process alone.
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