WHAT IF YOU ARE STUDYING FOR A BACHELOR’S OR MASTER’S DEGREE IN THE UK ON A STUDENT VISA?
A new Graduate Visa is due to be launched in Summer 2021. The Government anticipates that this new route will boost the UK’s popularity as a destination for higher studies. This will also greatly benefit international students studying with an approved UK Higher Education Provider for a Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree.
If you would like to apply for this Graduate Visa you should be due to complete your studies in Summer 2021, and be under Tier 4 (General) or new Student Visa.
Successful completion of your degree will then permit you a two years visa or Leave to Remain, which will allow you time to seek work or acquire work experience.
If you complete a PhD in the UK, you will be eligible for a Graduate Visa for three years. During this period you will be able to switch into a work visa such as a Skilled Worker Visa.
A Graduate Visa does not require a sponsor as it is based upon an individuals successful completion of a Bachelors Degree in the UK. Similarly, it is not necessary for you to show the maintenance fund or demonstrate knowledge of the English language as such requisites would have already been passed. However, you will be obliged to pay the Immigration Health Surcharge and the visa application fee.
Please contact us if you require any assistance with your Graduate Visa or Student Visa initial or extension application, and we will be happy to help.
OLD TIER 1 POST STUDY WORK – TIER 1 PSW
Please note that this Scheme closed on 6th April 2012. This page is for your information only.
After completion of higher studies in the UK under Tier 4 General, you would have been granted the old Tier 1 Post Study Work Visa.
The Tier 1 Post Study Work Visa was under the Points Based System, meaning you would need to have scored points to qualify for the scheme. It enabled international students the chance to acquire work experience in the UK after successful completion of a Bachelors degree or Postgraduate degree.
The concept behind the Tier 1 Post Study Work Visa was to offer graduates practical work experience without the need of an employer to sponsor your work permit. Under this Visa you would have been able to enter part-time or full-time employment, as well as self-employment and contracting assignments.
Flexibility was given to those under the International Graduate (IGS) Scheme or Science and Engineering Graduate (SEGS) scheme, allowing you to switch to the Tier 1 Post Graduate Scheme if your IGS or SEGS visa was not valid for 2 years.
Similarly, whilst under the Tier 1 Post Study Work visa you were able to switch to Tier 1 General for Highly Skilled or Tier 2 General, or if you wished to take up further full-time study at the end of Tier 1 Post Study Work Visa you were able to switch to Tier 4 Student Visa.
Under today’s New Points Based System a new Graduate Visa route has been introduced. Similarly to the Tier 1 Post-Study Work Visa, this will allow a two to three years work visa.
If you require any assistance with your Graduate Visa application or initial or extension application for a Student Visa, please do not hesitate to contact us.
QUESTIONS ABOUT LIVING & WORKING IN UK AFTER COMPLETING HIGHER STUDIES?
- HOW LONG CAN I STAY IN THE UK UNDER NEW GRADUATE ROUTE?
You will be eligible to stay for two to three years under the new Graduate Route if you have completed a Bachelor or Master Degree from an approved UK Higher Education Provider. If it is a PhD that you have completed, you will be able to stay in the UK for 3 years under the Graduate Route.
2. CAN I SWITCH INTO SKILLED WORKER VISA AT THE END OF GRADUATE VISA?
If you meet all the required conditions you will be able to switch into the Skilled Worker Visa route. To find out what your minimum requirements will be, please visit the Points Calculator for the skilled work.
3. WHEN I AM SWITCHING INTO A SKILLED WORKER CATEGORY FROM THE GRADUATE ROUTE, WILL I BE CONSIDERED A NEW ENTRANT TO THE UK LABOUR MARKET?
You will benefit from a lower salary level compared to the experienced workers at the same skills level if you are switching from a Student Visa Route or Graduate Visa Route into Skilled Worker Visa.
For help with your Graduate Visa application or initial or extension application for a Student Visa, please contact us and we will be happy to assist.