Janice Lozano
International students in the UK are required to have a student visa, which is dependent on their engagement with their course. The length of a student visa is contingent upon the duration of the course, as outlined in the Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS). Students must leave the UK by the expiry date of their visa unless they have applied for an extension. The Graduate visa allows international students to remain in the UK for up to two years after completing a master's degree or three years after a Ph.D. This visa provides flexibility, allowing graduates to work without sponsorship and explore various career paths. While some international students opt to stay in the UK after their studies, the majority (80%) leave within five years of arrival.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Visa expiry | International students must leave the UK by the expiry date of their visa. There is no grace period after the expiry date. |
| Visa extension | International students can submit a visa application to extend their permission to stay in the UK. |
| Overstaying | International students who remain in the UK after their visa expires without a valid application for further leave become 'overstayers'. |
| Early course completion | If an international student completes their course early, their visa may be curtailed to the standard post-study period. |
| Visa alternatives | International students can explore visa alternatives such as the Graduate visa, Standard Visitor route, or Skilled Worker route. |
| Work opportunities | The Graduate visa allows students to work or look for work in the UK without restrictions or a specific employer. |
| Settlement | The Graduate visa does not lead to indefinite leave to remain, and time spent on a study visa does not count towards the residence requirement for settlement applications. |
| Compliance | The majority of international students with expired visas have complied with requirements and left the UK on time. |
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What You'll Learn
- International students must leave the UK if their visa expires
- Students can apply for a Graduate visa to stay in the UK after their studies
- Non-visa nationals must leave the UK and re-enter as a visitor
- Students who don't enrol by the deadline must leave the UK
- Students can work part-time while studying in the UK
International students must leave the UK if their visa expires
International students in the UK are required to leave the country when their visa expires. The length of a student visa is contingent on the length of the course, as outlined in the Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS). Students who do not complete their courses by the end date specified in their CAS may have their visas curtailed. In such cases, the Home Office requires the university to notify them, after which the student's visa is adjusted to the standard post-study period. Students who leave the UK before their visa expires or are outside the country when their visa is curtailed will not be able to re-enter on the same visa.
Students who wish to remain in the UK after their course ends must apply for further permission to stay, such as the Graduate visa. This visa allows students who have completed their degrees at accredited institutions in the UK to stay in the country for up to two years after a master's degree and up to three years after a Ph.D. The Graduate visa offers international students an unsponsored route, meaning they do not need a job offer to apply. It also allows graduates to work without being tied to a specific employer and grants them the freedom to explore different types of work, including self-employment and voluntary work.
Students who wish to switch to a Graduate visa must do so before their current student visa expires. It is not possible to extend a student visa to cover graduation ceremonies. Students continuing to a further course must apply for a new student visa within six weeks of the new course start date or before their current visa expires, whichever is earlier.
The majority of international students leave the UK within five years of arrival. Data from the Office for National Statistics indicates that 80% of international students have expired visas and are required to leave the UK. However, there is some evidence that post-COVID cohorts of international students are staying in the UK longer than previous cohorts.
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Students can apply for a Graduate visa to stay in the UK after their studies
International students in the UK on a student visa are expected to leave the UK on or before their visa expiry date. However, they may apply for further permission to stay in the UK, for example, by applying for a Graduate visa. The Graduate visa route allows international students to stay in the UK for at least two years after completing their degree at an accredited institution in the UK. Doctoral students, such as those with a Ph.D., can stay for up to three years. This visa does not require sponsorship or a job offer, allowing graduates to work in the UK without restrictions on their employer. The Graduate visa is also available to those who have completed a UK bachelor's degree, a postgraduate degree, or other eligible courses for a minimum period with their Student visa or Tier 4 (General) student visa.
The Graduate visa was introduced to support the government's International Education Strategy, aiming to increase and diversify the number of international students in the UK. It offers flexibility, with the government advertising it as an "unsponsored route". This means that graduates can work at any skill level without the need for a specific employer, and employers do not need to hold sponsor licenses to hire students on this route. The visa also allows graduates to explore self-employment or voluntary work.
Students can apply for a Graduate visa online, and they must apply before their Student visa or Tier 4 (General) student visa expires. They can apply after their education provider has informed the Home Office that they have successfully completed their course. The cost of the Graduate visa varies, and applicants in certain professions, such as healthcare, may be eligible for cheaper visa options. The processing time for a Graduate visa application is typically around eight weeks, and applicants can stay in the UK while they wait for a decision.
The Graduate visa is a popular option for international students wishing to remain in the UK after their studies, along with other routes such as the Skilled Worker visa. It is important to note that the Graduate visa does not lead to indefinite stay, and it cannot be extended. However, graduates may be able to switch to a different visa, such as the Skilled Worker visa, after completing their Graduate visa period.
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Non-visa nationals must leave the UK and re-enter as a visitor
International students in the UK are advised to seek guidance from their university's International Student Advice Service, which runs regular workshops on travelling in and out of the UK. This service can provide expert advice on the topic and help students understand how leaving the UK may impact their ability to re-enter.
In general, students with valid Student Visa permission can travel outside the UK and re-enter, even after they have completed their course, as long as their visa is still valid. However, there are some important considerations. Firstly, students should not leave the UK for extended periods during term time, especially during dissertation periods, as this may affect their eligibility for the Graduate Route visa. Secondly, when returning to the UK, students may be questioned by Border Force Officers about their reasons for re-entry and their compliance with visa conditions. It is recommended to carry relevant documentation, such as evidence of finances and a return ticket, to demonstrate their intentions and ongoing enrolment at their university.
For non-visa nationals, the process is a bit different. While they do not need to apply for a Standard Visitor visa in advance, they must leave the UK and re-enter as a visitor, meeting the requirements for entry as a visitor. This includes the condition that they do not make frequent and successive visits to the UK and do not use visitor permission to make the UK their main home for study or work. Non-visa nationals should also be aware that entering as a visitor may impact their eligibility for the Graduate Route visa.
It is important to note that if a student completes their course early, their visa expiry date may change. In such cases, if they leave the UK, their leave to enter or remain may lapse, and they will not be able to re-enter on the same visa. Therefore, it is crucial for students to understand the implications of their travel plans and seek advice from their university's International Student Advice Service before travelling.
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Students who don't enrol by the deadline must leave the UK
International students in the UK are subject to strict monitoring protocols. Universities must report students who are not engaging with their course to the Home Office, as outlined in the UKVI Student Sponsor Guidance. If a student fails to enrol by the deadline, the Home Office is notified, their visa is curtailed, and they are required to leave the UK.
The length of a student visa is dependent on the length of the course, as stated in the Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS). The Home Office expects students to leave the UK by the visa expiry date, unless they have applied for an extension or a post-study Graduate visa. In some cases, a student's visa may be shortened if they complete their course early. The university is required to notify the Home Office, and the student's visa will be curtailed to the standard post-study period.
Students who do not enrol by the deadline must leave the UK as their visas will be curtailed. They cannot remain in the UK as visitors, as the Standard Visitor Route restricts study activity and is normally only used after a student has completed their course. Students who wish to remain in the UK after their visa has expired must submit a visa application for an extension or further leave, as there is no 'grace period' after the expiry date. If a student remains in the UK after their visa has expired without submitting a valid application for further leave, they will become an 'overstayer'.
The Graduate visa allows international students who have completed their degree at an accredited institution in the UK to remain in the country for up to two years after a master's degree, or three years after a PhD. This visa offers students economic freedom, as they can work in the UK without being tied to a specific employer, and employers do not need to hold sponsor licences. The Graduate visa also allows students to apply for settlement after three years and enables dependants to join them in the UK.
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Students can work part-time while studying in the UK
International students in the UK can take on part-time work, which can be a rewarding opportunity to earn extra money, gain valuable work experience, and meet new people. However, it is important to be aware of visa restrictions and university recommendations. Students holding a Student Visa can generally work part-time during their studies, with a maximum of 10 hours per week during term time for non-degree courses and 20 hours per week for degree-level courses. During official holidays, students can work full-time, up to 40 hours per week.
There are various on-campus and off-campus part-time job opportunities available for international students in the UK. On-campus jobs are often convenient and offer flexible scheduling, making it easier to balance academic commitments. Off-campus jobs can be found in industries such as hospitality, retail, or events, providing students with diverse work experiences.
It is important to note that international students on a Student Visa cannot be self-employed, set up a business, or engage in specific professions like professional sports or entertainment. Additionally, students on short-term visas are not eligible to work. Students should always check their visa work rights and stay compliant with their university's guidelines.
Part-time work allows international students to explore different roles, improve their English skills, and build a professional network. It can provide valuable work experience and enhance career prospects, making it a beneficial aspect of the overall UK study experience. However, students should also prioritise their university courses and maintain a healthy balance between work and studies.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, international students can leave the UK. However, they must leave by the expiry date of their visa unless they have applied for an extension.
If an international student completes their course early, their visa expiry date may change. The Home Office requires the university to inform them if a student completes their course earlier than expected, and the visa will normally be curtailed to the standard post-study period.
If an international student overstays their visa, they will become what is known as an 'overstayer'. This means that they will not be able to re-enter the UK on the same visa.
There are several options for international students who wish to remain in the UK after graduation, including the Graduate route and the Skilled Worker route. The Graduate route allows students to stay in the UK for up to two years after completing a master's level course or three years after completing a Ph.D.
