Can I start a company in UK on a student visa?

On a UK student visa (Tier 4 or Student Route), you are not allowed to start or run a business. The visa permits study and, in some cases, part-time work (up to 20 hours per week during term time), but it explicitly prohibits:

• Being self-employed

• Engaging in business activity

• Working as an entrepreneur, freelancer, or consultant

If you want to start a company in the UK, you would need to switch to a different visa, such as:

• Innovator Founder Visa – for entrepreneurs with an innovative, scalable business idea endorsed by an approved body.

• Start-up Visa (closed to new applicants since July 2023, but still valid for existing holders).

• Graduate Visa – allows some flexibility after completing studies, though not direct business ownership.

A person on a UK student visa cannot legally start or run a company. To do so, they must switch to a visa category that permits business activities, such as the Innovator Founder Visa.