International students in the United Kingdom including thousands of Nigerians will soon be able to switch directly to the Innovator Founder visa without travelling back home, following major changes to the UK’s immigration rules. The new policy takes effect on November 25, 2025.
Under the updated rule, students holding a valid Study visa can now apply for the Innovator Founder route from within the UK. This eliminates the previous requirement that forced them to exit the country before pursuing the business-focused visa. Officials say the change will make it easier for foreign students to begin developing their business ideas while their applications are being processed.
The Innovator Founder visa allows international graduates to establish and run innovative businesses that offer products or services different from existing solutions in the market. To qualify, applicants must secure an endorsement from an approved Innovator Founder endorsing body and meet all other eligibility criteria.
The reform follows recommendations in the UK’s 2025 White Paper, which urged a review of the Innovator Founder route to help entrepreneurial students transition directly into building careers and businesses in the UK. With the Start-up visa now discontinued, the Innovator Founder visa becomes the main pathway for foreign entrepreneurs.
However, students must meet specific conditions before beginning business activities. They may be self-employed under the Innovator Founder route only if they have applied for permission under the visa, obtained an endorsement from an approved body, and submitted the application while still holding a valid Student visa.
The policy change is expected to boost entrepreneurship among international students, particularly Nigerians, who make up one of the largest foreign student groups in the UK.
