Skip to main content
Careers, Employability and Enterprise
The bustling Careers and Enterprise Centre entrance in the Palatine Centre

Innovator Founder Visa

Are you an international student with a strong business idea? The Innovator Founder Visa enables you to establish and run your own business in the UK after graduating.

How Venture Lab Can Support You

Venture Lab offers specialist guidance to help you work towards securing visa endorsement. Our team provides one-to-one business coaching, tailored workshops and competitions designed to help you develop a business idea that is innovative, viable and scalable, the three core criteria required for endorsement.

The Application Process

Develop your business idea

Access Venture Lab’s expert support to refine your concept and prepare for the endorsement stage.

Secure an endorsement

You will need endorsement from one of the following recognised organisations:

  • UK Endorsing Services
  • Innovator International
  • Envestors Limited

Please note that endorsement is not guaranteed. You must meet all UK Government requirements and be responsible for any associated costs.

Apply for your visa

Once endorsed, you can apply for the Innovator Founder Visa, which allows you to establish and run your business in the UK for up to three years.

Before Obtaining an Innovator Founder Visa

While you may develop your business idea and carry out market research, it is essential that you do not breach the conditions of your Tier 4 (General) student visa before securing an Innovator Founder Visa. While holding a Tier 4 (General) student visa, you must not:

  • Market your products or services to the general public (for example, via a publicly accessible website)
  • Receive any financial benefit from business activity, including user testing
  • Register, or begin to register, a business before applying for an Innovator Founder Visa

Next Steps

Contact Paul Stafford (paul.d.stafford@durham.ac.uk) to discuss your business idea and begin your journey towards securing endorsement.

For full eligibility requirements and associated costs, please visit the UK Government’s Innovator Founder Visa (https://www.gov.uk/innovator-founder-visa) webpage.