Graduate Entrepreneur Visa UK
If you’re a graduate or entrepreneur looking to launch your business in the UK, the immigration system has changed dramatically.
The old Tier 1 Graduate Entrepreneur Visa closed in 2019 but there are powerful new options available for ambitious founders.
At Immigration Solicitors UK, we specialise in securing fast, compliant approvals for graduate innovators, founders, and high-potential professionals.
Call +44 7561 699666 or contact us online to speak directly with a solicitor.
Book your FREE consultation today!
What Happened to the Graduate Entrepreneur Visa
The former Tier 1 Graduate Entrepreneur route allowed UK-educated graduates to stay for up to two years to develop their business ideas.
That route is now closed but its legacy has evolved into the Graduate Visa, the Innovator Founder Visa, and the High Potential Individual (HPI) route.
Our team helps graduates choose the fastest and safest transition from study to entrepreneurship.
The Modern Alternatives for Ambitious Graduates
Graduate Visa (Post-Study Work)
Stay in the UK to work, be self-employed, or start a business immediately after your degree.
The Graduate Visa grants:
- 2 years of permission (or 3 years for PhDs)
- Full work and self-employment rights
- No endorsement requirement
From 1 January 2027, most graduates will receive 18 months but PhD holders remain on 3 years.
Thinking long-term? We’ll build your settlement strategy early so you can switch seamlessly to the Innovator Founder route before expiry.
Innovator Founder Visa
If your idea is innovative, viable, and scalable, this is the UK’s premium business route.
You’ll receive:
- A 3-year visa (with unlimited extensions)
- Direct eligibility for settlement after 3 years if your business meets Home Office success criteria
Our solicitors prepare your business plan, endorsement dossier, and compliance evidence so your application passes Home Office scrutiny on the first submission.
High Potential Individual (HPI) Route
For graduates of world-leading universities outside the UK.
As of 1 November 2025:
- The university list has doubled from 50 to 100 institutions
- The route now carries an annual cap of 8 000 places
- It is retrospective, graduates from newly-added universities (even from 2022) are now eligible if still within 5 years of graduation
If your degree was awarded within the last five years, you may now qualify.
We verify your eligibility and secure your digital endorsement quickly before the annual quota fills.
Technical Note on HPI Verification Unlike the Innovator Founder route, the HPI visa does not require an endorsement from a business body. Instead, you must secure Ecctis verification (formerly UK NARIC) to confirm that your degree meets the Home Office’s academic and English standards. Our team manages the Ecctis process for you, ensuring your degree is mapped correctly to UK standards to avoid application delays.
Student-to-Innovator Switching (Nov 2025 Rules)
Since 25 November 2025, graduates can switch directly from a Student Visa to an Innovator Founder Visa without leaving the UK.
PhD students can switch after 24 months of their current course (even if not yet completed).
Time from previous study does not count.
You may begin trading while your Innovator application is pending if you already hold your final endorsement letter.
Trading on a “conditional” endorsement breaches visa conditions and leads to refusal.
Our compliance team audits every endorsement before you start trading to keep your Section 3C protection intact.
Compare Your Options (December 2025)
Feature | Graduate Visa | Innovator Founder Visa |
|---|---|---|
Stay Length (Masters) | 2 yrs (18 m from 2027) | 3 yrs (extendable) |
Stay Length (PhD) | 3 yrs (unchanged) | 3 yrs (extendable) |
Settlement Baseline | 10 yrs (Earned Model) | 3 yrs (accelerated) |
English Requirement | Met via UK degree | B2 (from 8 Jan 2026) |
Permission to Trade | Immediate | During switch (with final endorsement) |
Endorsement Needed | No | Yes – approved body |
Need clarity on which visa fits you best? Book a strategy call and we’ll map your quickest path to settlement.
What We Offer
Our Services
we understand that immigrating to a new country is a significant
decision that comes with its own set of challenges.
Family Visas
Partner Visas
Settlement in the UK
Settlement of EEA Nationals
British Citizenship and The Right of Abode
Challenge a Refusal
Removals/Deportations
Asylum/Human Rights
Sponsor License for a UK Business
UK Business Visas
Student Visas
Popular Work Visas
Other work visas and permits
Visas without a job offer
Work for an overseas employer
Temporary work visas
UK Visit Visas
From 8 January 2026, new applicants for economic routes must prove English at B2 level (minimum).
Extensions under older visas remain exempt.
If your degree was taught in English, in the UK or in a Home Office-recognised country, you automatically satisfy B2 without another test.
Avoid automatic refusal: submitting a B1 certificate after 8 January 2026 will lead to instant rejection.
We verify your language documentation before submission.
The Earned Settlement Model (April 2026 Reform)
From 2026, most work routes move to a 10-year baseline for Indefinite Leave to Remain — but there are accelerators:
- Earn £50 270+ and settle in 5 years
- Work in approved public-service roles (health or education) and settle in 5 years regardless of salary
- Show volunteering or exceptional community contribution and qualify for the same 5-year accelerator
- Each adult dependant must earn £12 570+ to settle; children under 18 usually settle with the main applicant
Why it matters: partners who don’t meet the £12 570 threshold may be stuck on rolling extensions for years.
We design early “Plan B” strategies for families so no one is left behind.
Need urgent help? Call:
Stage | Duration | Accelerator Criteria | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
Initial Grant | 3–5 years | Standard employment | Extension eligibility |
Mid-Term Review | After 5 years | £50 270 salary or public/voluntary service | Early ILR eligibility |
Long-Term | 10 years | Continuous residence | Standard ILR qualification |
Right-to-Work for Self-Employed Founders (2026 Compliance Alert)
From early 2026, under the Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Act 2025, founders must keep a digital Right-to-Work record for themselves within their company files.
Failure to do so can lead to fines up to £60 000 and endorsement revocation.
Our digital-compliance team performs proactive “Right-to-Work audits” to secure your status and your business.
Need urgent help? Call:
Why Choose Immigration Solicitors UK
We are a full-service law firm authorised by the Solicitors Regulation Authority, not a visa consultancy.
That means we can represent you directly with the Home Office and appeal if your application is unfairly refused.
Our services include:
- Graduate, HPI and Innovator Founder applications
- Business plan and endorsement dossier preparation
- Section 3C and digital compliance audits
- Settlement and family strategy planning
Book a private consultation today on +44 7561 699666 or submit our online form for priority callback within 24 hours.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I still apply for a Graduate Entrepreneur Visa?
No, that route closed in 2019. You should apply for the Graduate, HPI or Innovator Founder routes.
What is the HPI route?
It recognizes graduates from top global universities. As of November 2025, the list includes 100 institutions. This route requires Ecctis verification of your degree rather than a business endorsement, and it applies retrospectively to graduates from newly added universities within a five-year window.
How long can I stay on a Graduate Visa?
Two years for most graduates and three years for PhDs. From 2027, non-PhDs get 18 months.
Can I switch from Student to Innovator Founder?
Yes, after course completion or after 24 months of PhD study on your current programme.
What if I start trading before approval?
Only after receiving a final endorsement. Trading too soon risks a 10-year ban.
What English level do I need?
From 8 January 2026, B2. UK-taught degrees meet this automatically.
How does Earned Settlement affect my family?
Each adult must earn £12 570 to settle; public service or voluntary work can qualify as an accelerator.
Do self-employed founders need Right-to-Work records?
Yes, from 2026 onwards, a digital record is mandatory.
