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Careers, Employability and Enterprise
The bustling Careers and Enterprise Centre entrance in the Palatine Centre

Starting a UK based startup as an International Graduate

Eligible international students have the opportunity to set up their own business in the UK after finishing their studies with the Innovator Founder visa.

If you are an international student interested in starting a business in the UK after you graduate, Venture Lab can provide support to help you achieve your goals.

We’ll provide you with information, advice, and guidance to help you work towards gaining endorsement that you need to apply for an Innovator Founder visa. Obtaining this visa will allow you to legally start your business in the UK for an initial period of three years.

The Endorsement Process

To give yourself the best possible chance of securing endorsement for the Innovator Founder visa, Venture Lab recommends that you:

  1. Read the information provided by the UK Government regarding the Innovator Founder visa, including the fees involved in applying for the visa.
  2. Access support from Venture Lab to help develop your business concept. This may include; 1:1 business coaching sessions, workshops, competitions and funding.
  3. Identify an endorsing body that you would like to work with.
  4. Submit your completed application and supporting documents to the endorsing body.

Durham University has no influence on the outcome of your application for Innovator Founder visa endorsement. However, support is provided to help you through the endorsement process and to develop your startup concept.

Next Steps

Contact Steve Bowden, Enterprise Manager, as soon as possible to start discussing your idea and receive the support towards securing endorsement.

Before Obtaining an Innovator Founder Visa

Whilst you can develop your business idea and conduct market research, it is important that you do not risk being in breach of your Student visa before securing an Innovator Founder visa. Whist you are still holding a Student visa you must not:

  • Market your products or services in any way to the mainstream public (for example through a publicly available website)
  • Receive any financial gain from any business activity, including user testing
  • Register or begin to register a business until after you have applied for an Innovator Founder visa

Contact Steve Bowden, Enterprise Manager, if you have any questions about the Innovator Founder visa.