Student Visa (rules for building a business whilst on this visa)
If you’re currently on a Student Visa, there are specific rules around what you can and cannot do when starting or developing a business. It’s important to understand these boundaries clearly so that you remain fully compliant with UK immigration regulations while exploring entrepreneurship.
What you can do:
• Develop and test your business idea (no trading).
• Join enterprise programmes, competitions, incubators.
• Build prototypes, do research, create pitch decks so you can trade on your post study work visa and/or Innovator Founder Visa
• Work part-time for an employer (20 hours term time, full-time during non term time)
What you cannot do:
• Be self-employed or freelance.
• Register or run a UK limited company.
• Act as a company director or have controlling shares.
• Trade: no clients, no sales, no invoices.
Innovator Founder Visa
The Innovator Founder Visa is a route for individuals looking to establish an innovative business in the UK.
In order to apply for this visa, you will need an endorsement letter from one of the UK Government approved endorsing bodies. For more information, view the current endorsing bodies.
Please note that in order for you to receive an endorsement the business idea must the following criteria:
- new - you cannot join a business that is already trading
- innovative - you must have an original business idea which is different from anything else on the market
- viable, with potential for growth
- scalable - you must give evidence of planning that includes creating jobs and growing into national and international markets.
These criteria will be assessed by one of the endorsing bodies. If you have queries about the assessment process, please contact the relevant endorsing body directly.
The Oxford Brookes Enterprise Support Team can provide support to help you develop your business idea. Please book a one to one meeting with one of our advisors by emailing enterprise-support@brookes.ac.uk
Graduate Visa
For support in gaining a Graduate Visa, please contact the International Student Advice Team for guidance on the eligibility requirements, the application process and conditions.
If you have been granted a Graduate Visa then, we are able to:
- provide guidance on how to register, start and operate your business
- support you with your business idea for Innovator Founder Visa application
- become self-employed or go freelance in the UK.
With a Graduate Visa:
- you don’t need to gain an endorsement letter from Oxford Brookes University to apply for it
- you have the opportunity to stay in the UK for two years after after you complete your degree (3 years if you have a doctoral qualification)
- you may start a business or become self-employed
- you must be in the UK when you apply
- your family can apply to stay too, but only if they were ‘dependents’ on your current Student Visa or Tier 4 (General) Student Visa.