The UK is significantly simplifying the transition for international students to entrepreneurship. From Tuesday, November 25, 2025 , a new immigration policy will allow students — including the large African population — to go directly to the Innovator Founder visa without leaving the country .

A major policy shift for entrepreneurship

This update to the immigration framework marks a clear break with the old rules that required foreign students to return to their home country to apply for a business visa.

1. The objective: To encourage high-potential young graduates to create and develop their businesses in the UK rather than pursuing their ambitions elsewhere.
2. The new rule: Students with a valid student visa can now submit their application for the Innovator Founder program from within the UK.

According to a study by the Ministry of the Interior, this measure is designed to remove a major obstacle to entrepreneurship among international students. It allows applicants to begin developing their businesses while their applications are being processed.

Focus on the Innovator Founder visa

The Innovator Founder Scheme is now the primary pathway for foreign nationals wishing to launch a new business in the UK, following the phasing out of the Start-up Visa. It is designed to support graduates who want to create and run a business that introduces something genuinely new to the market.

Eligibility requirements:

1. Obtain support from an accredited organization .
2. Present a business idea that is:
3. Innovative (must be new).
4. Viable (must have the potential for success).
5. Scalable (must have the potential to grow nationally or internationally).

Consequences and perspectives

This reform aligns with the recommendations of the UK White Paper 2025, which stressed the need to make it easier for entrepreneurial talent already present in the country to build their careers there.

British authorities anticipate that this reform will increase the number of startups created by international students . A significant rise is expected among Nigerians , who constitute one of the most active groups within the UK's international student community.

Important note: A student can only start business activities if they have submitted their Innovative Founder application, hold a valid student visa, and have obtained approval.