UK to Allow Nigerians, Other Foreign Students Switch to Innovator Founder Visa
The United Kingdom has announced that international students—including thousands of Nigerians—will soon be able to switch directly to the Innovator Founder visa from within the country. This major policy shift, effective November 25, 2025, allows students on valid Study visas to transition to the business-focused visa route without returning to their home country. Formerly, international students had to exit the UK before applying for the Innovator Founder visa. The new rule removes that hurdle, enabling students to set up businesses and launch their entrepreneurial careers as their applications are being processed in the UK. The Innovator Founder visa permits graduates to establish and operate innovative businesses that introduce novel products or services to the UK market. To be eligible, applicants must present a viable business idea endorsed by an approved body and meet all other requirements. This policy update follows […]