For international students with entrepreneurial aspirations, the Innovator Founder Visa has become one of the most sought-after routes for building a future in the UK. With clearer switching provisions and better-defined business criteria, students are increasingly able to move from study to entrepreneurship without leaving the country. This is a significant step forward from the restrictive system previously in place, allowing graduates to transform their ideas into viable UK businesses with far less disruption.

Can You Switch from a Student Visa to the Innovator Founder Visa?

Yes. Under the current Immigration Rules, Student Visa holders who have completed their course are permitted to apply from inside the UK to switch into the Innovator Founder route. Students are not included among the visa types barred from switching in-country. Appendix Student also makes clear that switching is allowed once the course for which the Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) was issued has been officially completed. PhD students may switch after completing the minimum required period of doctoral study.

Recent policy updates have also clarified the scope of activities students may undertake after submitting their Innovator Founder application, providing greater flexibility during the transition period.

Who Can Switch to the Innovator Founder Visa?

Although switching is allowed, the Innovator Founder route remains a highly selective category. Applicants must be at least 18, must have completed their course as defined by their sponsoring institution, and must meet the English language requirement at B2 level. The financial requirement must also be satisfied by holding £1,270 for at least 28 consecutive days prior to the application.

Above all, applicants must secure an endorsement from a Home Office-approved endorsing body. Endorsement is only granted when the endorsing body is satisfied that the proposed business is innovative, commercially viable, and capable of scaling. This forms the centrepiece of the application and is often the most challenging stage, as endorsing bodies carry out rigorous assessments of both the applicant and the business proposal.

How the Points System Works

Although the Innovator Founder Visa feels very different from traditional points-based categories, it remains a PBS route and requires applicants to meet a total of 70 points. These points are awarded as follows:

Business Plan & Innovation – 30 points

The business idea must be original, innovative, and capable of meeting a genuine market need in the UK. Endorsing bodies expect a detailed plan demonstrating innovation and strategic development.

Business Venture Viability & Scalability – 20 points

The endorsing body must be satisfied that the business is viable, supported by credible research, and scalable. This includes financial sustainability, projected growth, and the applicant’s ability to deliver the business plan.

English Language Requirement – 10 points

Applicants must demonstrate English at level B2 (CEFR) through a test, a UK degree, or an accepted equivalent.

Financial Requirement – 10 points

Applicants must show personal maintenance funds of at least £1,270 for 28 consecutive days.

All 70 points must be achieved in full. Missing even one component will result in refusal.

Why International Students Are Choosing This Route

The Innovator Founder Visa offers an appealing opportunity for students who wish to remain in the UK and develop their entrepreneurial ideas. Unlike work routes that rely on employer sponsorship, this visa allows holders to work on their own endorsed business for a three-year period. Students are able to maintain the momentum gained during their studies, continue working with university incubators, and deepen relationships with mentors and potential investors.

Perhaps most importantly, the route offers a direct path to Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) after three years, provided the business meets the specific performance criteria set out in the Immigration Rules.

Common Challenges for Applicants

Despite the clearer rules, the Innovator Founder route remains demanding. The endorsement stage is often themost difficult, as endorsing bodies only accept applicants with well-developed business proposals backed by credible research and evidence. Timing is another challenge. Students must wait until their university confirms official course completion and must apply before their Student permission expires. Misunderstanding the meaning of “completion” can result in risky or invalid applications.

Compliance with Student Visa conditions also requires careful attention. Students must avoid any self-employment or business activity that is prohibited under their current visa, as breaching the conditions can lead to refusal. Additionally, applicants aiming for ILR must think ahead. ILR requires meeting measurable business milestones, so applicants need to plan for this from the very beginning.

A Wider Reflection

The UK’s evolving approach to international student entrepreneurs reflects recognition of their value to the innovation economy. Many successful UK start-ups began as university-based concepts, and allowing student founders to transition smoothly into the Innovator Founder Visa strengthens the country’s position as a global hub for entrepreneurship.

Still, the route is intentionally selective. It is designed for those with genuine entrepreneurial ability and a business plan capable of making a tangible contribution to the UK’s economy.

How GigaLegal Solicitors Can Help

Switching from a Student Visa to the Innovator Founder Visa is now an achievable route for graduates with solid business ideas and the capability to deliver them. While the pathway is more accessible than it once was, it still demands precision, compliance, and a business plan strong enough to satisfy an endorsing body.

At GigaLegal Solicitors, our specialist immigration lawyers guide international students through each stage of this process, from business plan refinement and endorsement preparation to switching applications and long-term ILR planning. With expert advice, your transition from student to entrepreneur can be structured, compliant, and strategically sound.

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