The United Kingdom has enacted a significant change to its immigration framework, effective November 25, 2025, granting international students—including the substantial Nigerian contingent—the ability to seamlessly switch to the Innovator Founder visa without having to exit the country first. This major revision removes a key barrier for entrepreneurial talent nurtured within the UK’s academic system.
Direct Path from Study to Business
This policy is a critical shift from previous requirements, which often necessitated that students on a valid Study visa return to their home country to submit an application for the business-focused Innovator Founder route.
Under the new, streamlined rules, students can now initiate the transition from within the UK, allowing them to legally commence the preparatory stages of establishing their innovative businesses while their visa applications are under review. This increased flexibility is expected to substantially boost entrepreneurship among foreign students, particularly Nigerians, who make up one of the largest international student populations in the UK.
Requirements for the Innovator Founder Visa
The Innovator Founder visa is now the principal pathway for foreigners aiming to establish a novel business in the UK, following the discontinuation of the Start-up visa. It requires the applicant to present an innovative business idea that is demonstrably different from existing market products or services.
To successfully transition and qualify, applicants must:
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Secure an endorsement from an approved Innovator Founder endorsing body, validating the business idea’s viability.
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Meet all specified visa eligibility criteria.
The update reflects recommendations from the UK White Paper 2025, which sought to ensure that highly talented entrepreneurs already studying in the country could transition directly into business building and career development without unnecessary friction.
Conditions for Starting Business Activities
While the process is simplified, students must still meet specific conditions before commencing self-employment activities under the new route:
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They must have submitted the application for the Innovator Founder route.
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The application must be supported by a current, valid endorsement.
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The application must have been submitted while the applicant held valid Student visa status.
This strategic immigration adjustment is poised to strengthen the UK’s position in attracting and retaining global entrepreneurial talent, directly translating academic skill into economic innovation.
