Thousands of international students in the UK, use the Graduate Route visa to stay in the country for at least two years after finishing their study and looking for work. Students with a doctorate degree can stay for three years. The Graduate Route, a golden opportunity for those desiring to enter the professional zone in the UK, is not sponsored. This makes it easier for graduates to find or apply for jobs at any skill level. During this time, students can also participate in internships or freelance work in the country.

“The widespread skills shortages across the public and private sectors will only be filled with the help of international students already in the UK,” said Nick Hillman, Director of HEPI.

Graduate Route Eligibility

When applying for a Graduate Route, applicants must be in the United Kingdom. The best aspect is that they do not need to provide proof of funds or English language ability because your UK university degree will serve as proof of the latter. Furthermore, students must have earned the qualification specified on the CAS for a Student visa or Tier 4 visa.

In order to apply for a Graduate Visa:

  • You should be in the UK
  • You should have studied a bachelor’s or a postgraduate or other eligible degree from the UK for a minimum duration with your Student visa or Tier 4 student visa
  • You possess a visa which is a Student visa or Tier 4 (General) student visa
  • Your education provider should have confirmed your course completion to the home office

Previously, holders of a bachelor’s or master’s degree could only stay in the UK for four months to look for job. International students can now stay for two years under the new guidelines. This is a continuation of visa rule changes that permitted PhD students to stay in the UK after graduation. The UK administration wishes to expand and improve its STEM-related fields.

The minimum time for studies in the UK is as follows:

  • You must have studied for at least 12 months, if your course duration is more than 12 months
  • Your time period of study must be equal to the duration of your course if your course is shorter than 12 months. For e.g., if your course is of 10 months, you must have studied for at least 10 months in the UK

COVID-19 considerations (if you were not in the UK due to COVID-19):

  • If your student visa was for more than 12 months, then between 24 January 2020 and 30 June 2022, any time spent outside the UK can be counted as the time that you have spent studying in the UK
  • If your student visa was for 12 months or less, then also you can apply for a graduate visa if you meet the following conditions:
    • Your course was started before 21 June 2021 and you came to the UK on or before 27 September 2021 (on a student visa)
    • Your course was started between 21 June 2021 and 30 June 2022 AND you came to the UK on or before 30 June 2022 (on a student visa)

Graduate Route Application Process

Make sure you apply for the Graduate Route before your Student visa or Tier 4 (General) student visa expires. You can apply for the same once your education provider has informed the Home Office that you have successfully completed your course. In order to submit their applications, applicants must provide proof of identity and other relevant documents. Keep in mind that if you want to accomplish this via appointment, it will take longer.

The decision will be conveyed to you within 8 weeks of the completion of all processes. Applicants are able to remain in the United Kingdom throughout this time.

Charges for Graduate Route

  • Two and three-year Graduate route application: £715
  • Immigration Health Surcharge: £624 per year

UK Post Study Work Visa for Graduates

The UK post-study work visa (PSW UK) or work permit for UK allows international students to stay in the UK for two years after completing their graduate studies to search for work.

This rule of staying in the UK after graduation will increase the UK’s appeal to international students. International students seeking to study in other European nations will once again want to study in the United Kingdom.

Are Students Allowed to Work in the UK After Graduation?

The new post-study work visa requirements in the United Kingdom allow international students to work in the United Kingdom after they graduate. This rule will apply to bachelor’s, master’s, and phd graduates.

If you have a bachelor’s or post-graduate degree, your Graduate visa will be valid for two years. If you have a PhD or other doctoral qualification, your Graduate visa will be valid for three years. The start date of your graduate visa will be the day your application for a work permit for the UK is accepted.

What you can and cannot do with a UK Post Study Work Visa?

With a Graduate Visa, you can:

  • Work in most of the jobs
  • Search for work
  • Be self-employed
  • Continue staying in the UK with your children and partner, if they are eligible
  • Do some voluntary work
  • Travel abroad and return to the UK

Things you cannot do with a Graduate Visa

  • Apply for the benefits like public funds, or the State Pension
  • Work as a professional sportsperson

What to do After the UK Post Study Work Visa Ends?

The post-study work visa in the UK (Graduate Route Visa) or post-study work permit for the UK allows graduates to work and look for work in the UK for up to two years (or three years in the case of a doctoral degree).

Those who want to continue in the UK after their PSW visa expires must apply for a skilled work visa, a general work visa (Tier 2 visa), or any other relevant visa. However, in order to obtain a Tier 2 visa, also known as a general work visa, the candidate must earn a minimum of £25,600 per year, or £10.10 per hour (whichever is higher) This can vary depending on the work. In order to apply for a Tier 2 visa, you must have a confirmed job offer.

LATEST UPDATE:

The Graduate Route Visa rules in the United Kingdom may be replaced by a new standard that would shorten the time period for international students to stay in the country after graduating and looking for work. According to sources, British Home Secretary Suella Braverman proposed the new change. According to the existing Graduate Route Visa rules, international students can stay in the UK for two years after graduating to look for a suitable skilled job. The new proposal calls for the length to be reduced to six months. Furthermore, if these students are unable to secure a skilled job and work visa within the aforementioned timespan, they will be forced to leave the country.

According to reports, the country’s Department of Education is attempting to block these changes because they fear it will hamper the interest of international students planning to study in the UK. Students planning to apply to UK universities may be affected by this decision, as the UK Office for National Statistics (ONS) recently announced that India had the largest student population in the UK. According to reports, the move was made to reduce the number of students applying for short-term programs at less top institutions.

Another idea proposes that international students will be able to bring their dependent family members to the UK if they are enrolled in a PG research-centric program lasting at least two years.

How to get a job in the UK (PSW in the UK)?

Previously, the UK’s immigration policies were strict. However, in today’s world, the government is focusing on improving its efficiency. Under the Tier 2 visa program, it is inviting skilled professionals to work in the destination. Under this program, qualified individuals from countries whose occupations are on the Tier 2 shortage occupations list can apply for long-term work in the UK. The specifics for the two Tier 2 Visa streams are provided below.

  • Skilled Worker Visa: This visa allows you to come or stay in the UK to work for an approved employer in a qualifying job. It has taken the position of the Tier 2 (General) work visa. To be eligible for the skilled worker visa, you must work for a UK employer recognized by the Home Office. You must also obtain a sponsorship certificate from your employer that includes information on the role you have been assigned in the United Kingdom. Aside from that, you must work in one of the eligible occupations and be paid a minimum wage.
  • Senior or Specialist Worker Visa: This visa allows you to come or remain in the UK to work in your employer’s UK branch. It has taken the position of the Intra-company Transfer Visa, which was previously known as the Tier 2 (Intra-company Transfer) Long-term Staff Visa. To be eligible for this visa, you must be an existing employee of an organization that has been accepted as a sponsor by the Home Office, and you must have a sponsorship certificate. from your employer, do a job that is present in the list of eligible occupations, and be paid at least £42,400 per year.

PSW UK FAQs

  • Q. What all can I do professionally with the UK post study work visa?
    With the UK Graduate visa, you can work in a broad range of jobs, you can pursue self-employment, can perform voluntary work, and you can travel to international locations and return back to the UK. However, you cannot apply for benefits through public funds or state pension, and you cannot work as a professional sportsperson.
  • Q. What is the cost of applying for PSW UK (Graduate Route Visa UK)?
    To apply for the UK Graduate visa, you need to pay an application fee of £715 and an annual health surcharge of £624. The annual health surcharge allows you to make use of the country’s National Health Service just like a permanent resident of the UK can. You will have to pay the entire amount while applying for a graduate route. Also, if there are any dependents they too will have to pay both of the aforementioned fees.
  • Q. Under what circumstances can I get an exemption from health surcharge?
    If you are a doctor or nurse, or you are employed in health or adult social care, and you are eligible for Health and Care Worker visa, you can receive an exemption from health surcharge.
  • Q. Can I extend my UK post study work visa (Graduate Route Visa UK)?
    No. you cannot extend your Graduate visa. However, once it expires, you can apply for a skilled work visa, general work visa, or any other relevant visa if you wish to extend your stay in the UK. However, in order to get a Tier 2 visa, the general work visa, the candidate must be getting at least £25,600 per year or £10.10 per hour (whichever is higher).
  • Q. Under what circumstances can the validity of my UK post study work visa become 3 years?
    In case if a student has pursued a PhD or other doctoral qualification, then the validity of his/ her UK Graduate visa will be for 3 years.
  • Q. What all documents do I need to apply for Graduate Visa UK?
    In order to apply for Graduate Visa UK, you will require the following documents:
  • Valid ID proof that involves your passport
  • If you were given a Biometric Residence Permit (BRP), then you need to provide that as well
  • Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) reference number
  • Proof of relationship with your partner or children (if applicable)
  • Your scholarship or sponsorship provider also needs to provide a letter (if applicable)
  • Q. How long does it take to receive a decision on my UK Graduate Visa application?
    Once you have provided your documents, proven your identity, and applied online, you must wait for 8 weeks to receive a decision on you UK Graduate Visa application. In case if your documents require verification or there are other reasons, you might have to wait for a little longer.
  • Q. Can dependants apply for Graduate Visa UK?
    Yes. When you had applied for your UK Student Visa (Tier 4 Student Visa), if at that time, your partner and children were with you in the UK as dependants, they can also apply to stay as dependants on your UK Graduate Visa.
  • Q. Can I cancel my UK PSW Visa application? Will I receive a refund in case if I decide to cancel the application?
    You can cancel your visa application. In case if you cancel before a decision has been made, you will receive a refund of the immigration health surcharge. In case of application fee refund, it depends on the stage of your application. It might take up 28 days for you to receive your refunded amount.
  • Q. What all courses make me eligible for Graduate Visa UK?
    The following courses make you eligible for PSW UK:
  • Bachelor’s degree (UK)
  • Master’s degree (UK)
  • PhD or Doctorate (UK)
  • Law conversion course approved by the Solicitors Regulation Authority
  • Legal Practice Course in England and Wales
  • Solicitors Course in Northern Ireland
  • Diploma in Professional Legal Practice in Scotland
  • Bar Practice Course in England and Wales, or the Bar Course in Northern Ireland
  • Foundation programme in medicine/ dentistry
  • Postgraduate Certificate in Education
  • Postgraduate Diploma in Education
  • Q. Am I eligible for UK residence?
    You can apply for permanent residence in the UK if you fulfill certain eligibility requirements. Permanent settlement in the UK is known as indefinite leave to remain (ILR). The requirements for ILR in the UK vary somewhat depending on the route through which you are applying. But, in general, they consist of: continuous residence in the UK for 5 years, proof of enough English language skills, passing the Life in the UK test, proof that you meet the requirements of your UK visa.