Lori Meadows
International students who wish to stay in the UK after graduation can apply for a Graduate visa, which allows them to stay and work or look for work for up to 2 years, or 3 years for PhD students, in any sector and at any level without minimum salary requirements or visa sponsorship. To be eligible, students must have completed a UK bachelor's, postgraduate degree, or other eligible course for a minimum period with a valid Student visa or Tier 4 (General) student visa. Students can also seek guidance from their university careers service to determine the best visa option for their situation.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Permission to stay | International students can apply for a Graduate visa to stay in the UK for at least 2 years after completing their course. PhD students can stay for 3 years. |
| Work | Students can work or look for work in any sector and at any level without minimum salary requirements or visa sponsorship. |
| Eligibility | Students must have completed their degree and have studied for a minimum period with a Student visa or Tier 4 (General) student visa. |
| Application process | Students must apply online and provide proof of identity and documents. They can stay in the UK while waiting for a decision. |
| Visa extension | The Graduate visa cannot be extended, but students may be able to switch to a different visa, such as a Skilled Worker visa. |
| Dependent family members | Dependent family members with immigration permission as Tier 4 or Student dependants can apply for further permission to stay under the Graduate route. |
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What You'll Learn
Graduate visa requirements
International students can apply for a Graduate Visa to stay in the UK for at least two years after completing their course. PhD holders are eligible to stay for up to three years. The Graduate Visa allows graduates to work, seek employment, or become self-employed in the UK. It is important to note that this visa is not linked to a specific job or employer, and graduates can have multiple jobs at the same time.
To apply for the Graduate Visa, students must meet the following requirements:
- Hold a UK bachelor's degree, postgraduate degree, or other eligible qualification from a recognised educational institution.
- Have completed the course on a valid Student Visa or Tier 4 (General) Student Visa for the minimum required period.
- Receive confirmation from their educational institution that they have successfully completed their course. The institution must inform the Home Office of the student's completion before they apply for the Graduate Visa.
- Apply for the Graduate Visa before their Student Visa expires. Most Student Visas have a grace period of 2 to 6 months after course completion, allowing students to receive their results and apply for the Graduate Visa.
- Prove their identity with a passport or other valid identification documents.
- Provide their Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) number.
- Present proof of their current Student Visa, such as a biometric residence permit (BRP) or eVisa.
- Provide proof of any scholarships or bursaries received if they funded course fees or living costs.
It is recommended to apply early for the Graduate Visa, as the application process can take up to 8 weeks. Applicants must remain in the UK while their application is being processed and are not permitted to travel outside the UK, Ireland, the Channel Islands, or the Isle of Man.
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Work and visa sponsorship
International students can apply for a Graduate visa to stay in the UK for at least two years after completing their course. This Graduate Route allows international students to work or look for work in any sector and at any level without any minimum salary requirements or the need for visa sponsorship. Students on a Tier 4/Student visa will need to apply for this route after completing their degree.
However, not all courses are eligible for student visa sponsorship and, therefore, the Graduate Route. Students who have switched to a student visa from another immigration category during their course are also ineligible for a Graduate visa unless they have studied for the minimum required time. Students who have received a scholarship or financial sponsorship from a government or international scholarship agency must provide a letter from the sponsor organisation consenting to their application for further permission to stay in the UK under the Graduate visa.
If you are ineligible for a Graduate visa, you may be able to switch to a different visa, such as a Skilled Worker visa. If you are a doctor, nurse, or work in health or adult social care, you may be eligible for the Health and Care Worker visa, which is cheaper to apply for and exempt from the annual immigration health surcharge. Your partner and children can also apply to stay in the UK if they are eligible.
It is also possible to work full-time on a Tier 4/Student visa after completing your course while it remains valid, but there are restrictions on the type of work you can do.
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Switching visas
International students on a Tier 4/Student visa can apply for a Graduate visa to stay in the UK for at least two years after completing their course. PhD students can stay for up to three years. This visa allows graduates to work or look for work in any sector and at any level without visa sponsorship or minimum salary requirements.
However, if you are not eligible for a Graduate visa, you may be able to switch to a different visa to remain in the UK. Here are some options for switching visas:
- Skilled Worker Visa: This visa category allows individuals to work in specific occupations in the UK. To be eligible, you must have a job offer from an approved sponsor and meet the required skill level for the occupation.
- Health and Care Worker Visa: If you work in healthcare or adult social care, you may be eligible for this visa. It is cheaper to apply for and exempt from the annual immigration health surcharge.
- Other Visa Routes: Depending on your circumstances, other visa options may be available, such as family visas, business visas, or entrepreneur visas. Research and seek advice to determine the most suitable visa for your situation.
It is important to note that you must apply for a new visa before your current Student visa or Tier 4 visa expires. You can apply after your education provider informs the Home Office of your successful course completion. The application process requires proof of identity and relevant documents, and you can include your dependent family members in your application if they are already in the UK as Tier 4 or Student dependents.
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Dependant family members
International students on a Tier 4/Student visa can apply for a Graduate visa to stay in the UK for at least two years after completing their degree. PhD students can stay for up to three years. This Graduate visa allows students to work or look for work in any sector and at any level without restrictions.
It is important to note that dependant family members' permission to stay in the UK is tied to the student's visa status. Therefore, if the student's visa application for the Graduate route is unsuccessful, it is unlikely that dependants will be able to remain in the country under the same visa category. Family members may need to explore alternative visa options, such as applying independently or under a different sponsorship.
The eligibility criteria for dependant family members can be complex, and it is advised to seek further information from official sources, such as the UKVI website and their Graduate immigration route guide, to ensure accurate and up-to-date guidance.
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Student visa extensions
International students on a Student visa in the UK can apply for a visa extension to continue their studies. The Student visa extension allows students to stay in the UK to complete their current course or pursue a new one. The new course must begin within 28 days of the current visa's expiry. Students can apply for the extension as early as three months before their new course starts.
To be eligible for a Student visa extension, individuals must hold a valid UK Student visa (formerly Tier 4 or the current Student Visa). They must also meet other eligibility requirements, such as proof of financial stability. Before starting the application process, students must obtain a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) from their educational institution, which proves their student status.
It is important to note that students must apply for the extension before their current visa expires. Applications can be made online, and applicants must provide proof of identity and any required supporting documents. The application fee for a Student visa extension is £524. While waiting for a decision on their application, students can remain in the UK and continue working, provided they follow their visa's work rules.
Upon successful completion of their studies, international students may be able to switch to a Graduate visa, which allows them to stay in the UK for at least two years. Alternatively, they may be eligible for other types of visas, such as the Skilled Worker visa.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, international students can apply for a Graduate visa to stay in the UK for at least 2 years after completing their degree. PhD students can stay for up to 3 years.
To be eligible for a Graduate visa, you must have completed a UK bachelor's or postgraduate degree on a valid Student visa or Tier 4 (General) student visa for a minimum period of time. You must also be in the UK when you apply and your education provider must confirm to the Home Office that you have successfully completed your course.
Yes, the Graduate visa allows international students to work or look for work in any sector and at any level without minimum salary requirements or the need for visa sponsorship.
