International students in the United Kingdom will now be able to obtain an Innovator Founder visa without leaving the country once they meet specific requirements.
This provision, first proposed in an 82-page immigration White Paper released in May, received final approval last month.
The new pathway replaces a similar option previously available to students switching into the start-up route, which is now closed to applicants.
Foreign students can apply for an Innovator Founder visa if they want to establish and run an innovative business in the UK — one that is distinct from existing offerings in the market.
The business must show strong growth potential and demonstrate the ability to create jobs and expand into both national and international markets.
The updated visa route becomes effective on November 25 and lasts for three years. It can be extended without restriction, and applicants may qualify for settlement after three years in the UK.
To be eligible, applicants must have their business idea assessed by an endorsing body, meet the English language requirement, be at least 18 years old, and hold personal savings of at least £1,270.
Applicants will also be required to meet with their endorsing body at the 12-month and 24-month marks to demonstrate business progress.
These changes were introduced in the same week foreign graduates were given 18 months to secure employment after their studies, reduced from the previous two-year window.
The Home Office said the new measures, set to begin on January 1, 2027, aim to ensure that graduates contribute meaningfully to the UK economy.