Innovator Founder Visa UK: switching from the Graduate visa
Yes, you can switch from a Graduate visa to the Innovator Founder visa from inside the UK. The Graduate visa is not on the list of visas you can't switch from. You need an endorsement, B2 English (your UK degree usually covers it), and the in-country fee of £1,693. The main risk is timing: start the endorsement well before your Graduate visa runs out.
Many people considering the Innovator Founder visa are already in the UK on the Graduate visa, the post-study work route people often still call PSW. They finished a UK degree, started working on an idea, and want to stay to build it. The switch is possible and fairly common. The part that goes wrong is usually time.
Can you switch?
GOV.UK lists the visas you cannot switch from into the Innovator Founder visa: visitor visas, short-term student visas, Parent of a Child Student, seasonal worker, domestic worker in a private household, immigration bail and permission outside the rules. The Graduate visa isn't on that list, so Graduate visa holders can apply from inside the UK if they meet the requirements.
If you are still on a Student visa, you can only switch once you have completed the course you were sponsored for, or if you are doing a full-time PhD and have been for at least 24 months.
What you need
| Requirement | Notes for Graduate visa holders |
|---|---|
| Endorsement | From an approved endorsing body. This takes the longest. |
| English at B2 | A UK degree taught in English usually meets this. |
| Savings | £1,270 for 28 days, but only if you have been in the UK less than 12 months. Most Graduate visa holders have been here longer and are exempt. |
| Fee | £1,693 to switch inside the UK, plus the Immigration Health Surcharge |
| Business funding | You must show the endorsing body enough funding and where it comes from |
The timeline problem
You have to apply to switch before your Graduate visa expires. Working backwards:
- The visa decision after switching usually takes 8 weeks, but you can stay while it is decided as long as you applied in time.
- Before that you need the endorsement letter. Decisions vary by body and can take several weeks, plus any interview.
- Before that you need a finished business plan, which for most people takes one to three months of real work.
So if your Graduate visa has less than four months left and you haven't started the plan, you are cutting it fine. We usually advise starting at least six months before expiry.
Don't wait for the business to be further along. Your Graduate visa end date won't move, and the plan can describe what you'll do next.
Using your Graduate visa time well
The Graduate visa lets you work in almost any job, or none. That makes it a good time to build evidence endorsing bodies like:
- Talk to potential customers and keep records: meeting notes, letters of intent, pilot agreements.
- Build a first version of the product, even a rough one.
- Save money. Viability is easier to show when you are not starting from zero.
- Get advice from someone in your target industry who could later advise or invest.
A word of caution about trading. The Innovator Founder visa is for a new business, and you can't join a business that is already trading. If you have already registered a company and started selling, talk to your endorsing body about how they will treat it before you apply.
After you switch
You get 3 years. After that you can extend, or apply to settle if your business meets two of the settlement criteria. The 3 years count from your Innovator Founder grant, not from your time on the Graduate visa. Our settlement guide explains the criteria.
Is Global Talent a better fit?
Some graduates who are already doing strong work in tech or research could qualify for the Global Talent visa instead, which doesn't tie them to one business. It is worth checking before you commit to a business plan. Our comparison guide sets out the trade-offs, or take the free eligibility check.
Official sources
Checked on 29 September 2026. Fees and rules change, so confirm the current position on these pages before you pay or apply.
- GOV.UK: Innovator Founder visa overview and fees
- GOV.UK: Innovator Founder eligibility
- GOV.UK: Knowledge of English (B2)
- GOV.UK: Endorsing bodies for Innovator Founder and Scale-up
- GOV.UK: Switch to the Innovator Founder visa
Common questions
Can I switch from a Graduate visa to an Innovator Founder visa?
Yes. The Graduate visa is not on the list of visas you cannot switch from, so you can apply from inside the UK if you meet the requirements, including holding an endorsement.
How much does it cost to switch to the Innovator Founder visa?
£1,693 per person to switch inside the UK, plus the £1,000 endorsement fee and the Immigration Health Surcharge.
Do Graduate visa holders need to show £1,270 in savings?
Only if you have been in the UK for less than 12 months when you apply. Most Graduate visa holders have been here longer.
When should I start preparing to switch?
Ideally six months before your Graduate visa expires, to leave time for the business plan, the endorsement and the visa application.
This guide is general information based on the official rules as they stood on 29 September 2026. It is not legal advice for your situation. Immigration rules and fees change, so check the official sources above or speak to us before you apply.
See where your profile actually stands
Take the free eligibility check: 15 questions, an honest readiness score and a named case officer if you want one.
Check Eligibility →