Lori Meadows
International students have been a significant contributor to the UK's high net migration figures in 2022 and 2023, leading the government to announce restrictions on migration, including a review of the Graduate Route visa. This visa allows international students to stay and work in the UK for up to three years after graduation. Students can also apply for long-term work visas, such as the Skilled Worker visa, which provides a path to permanent residence. The Graduate Route visa is non-extendable and does not count towards settlement, but students can switch to other visa categories, such as the Skilled Worker visa, if they find suitable employment.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Options for international students to work in the UK after graduation | Apply for a long-term work visa such as the Skilled Worker visa or apply for the Graduate Route |
| Graduate Route | Provides 2-3 years of work rights in any job; costs £821 and applicants have to pay an Immigration Health Surcharge of £1,035 per year of the visa |
| Skilled Worker Visa | Requires a job in an eligible occupation with an employer who is a licensed sponsor |
| Graduate Visa | Cannot be extended; does not count towards settlement; switching to a Skilled Worker Visa is possible |
| Student Visa | Allows students to work full-time during vacation periods and for up to 20 hours per week during term time; does not allow part-time students to undertake any work |
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What You'll Learn
Graduate visa route
International students who want to work in the UK after graduation have two main options. One of these options is the Graduate Route, which has been available since 2021.
The Graduate Route is an immigration route that allows international students to stay and work in the UK for two years (three years for PhD students). This visa costs £821, and applicants must also pay an Immigration Health Surcharge of £1,035 per year of the visa. Applicants should not apply until they have received confirmation from the Visa Compliance Team that they are eligible to apply. To be eligible, you must have successfully completed a degree at undergraduate level or above at a Higher Education Provider with a track record of compliance. You must also have studied in the UK for a minimum period with a Student visa or Tier 4 (General) student visa.
With a Graduate visa, you can do any type of work, including self-employment, but there are some exceptions. For example, you cannot be a professional sportsperson or coach. You can only study with a Graduate visa if your chosen course is not eligible for a Student visa. The Graduate visa is not extendable and does not count towards settlement, but it is possible to switch to a different visa, such as a Skilled Worker visa, if you meet the requirements.
It is important to note that the Graduate Route is subject to review by the government, which has recently announced a series of restrictions designed to reduce migration to the UK.
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Skilled Worker visa
International students can apply to stay in the UK and work, or look for work, upon graduation through the Graduate Route. However, the Graduate visa has certain limitations, and international graduates may need to switch to a different visa, such as the Skilled Worker visa.
The Skilled Worker visa is an option for international students who want to remain in the UK and work. It allows individuals to come to or stay in the UK to do an eligible job with an approved employer. This visa has replaced the Tier 2 (General) work visa and also permits work in UK waters.
To be eligible for a Skilled Worker visa, you must meet several requirements. Firstly, you need to have a confirmed job offer and a certificate of sponsorship (CoS) from your employer, which outlines information about the role offered in the UK. The job must be on the list of eligible occupations, and you must be paid a minimum salary, which depends on the type of work and the date of receiving your CoS. Additionally, you must be able to speak, read, write, and understand English, and you may need to prove your English language proficiency during the application process.
It is important to note that the rules regarding when you can start working after applying for a Skilled Worker visa are complex and interact with other immigration rules. If you are applying from overseas, you must wait until your visa is granted before travelling to the UK and starting your job. If you are switching from a Student visa, the timing of your application, the course you studied, and other factors will determine when you can begin working.
The Skilled Worker visa can be valid for up to five years, after which you may be able to apply to settle permanently in the UK, also known as 'indefinite leave to remain'. You will need to apply to extend or update your visa if it expires or if you change jobs or employers. Your partner and children can apply to join you or remain in the UK as your 'dependants' if they are eligible.
If you require advice or representation during the Skilled Worker visa application process, it is recommended to seek an immigration adviser registered with the Immigration Advice Authority (IAA).
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Student visa restrictions
International students who want to study at an independent school in the UK can apply for a Child Student Visa. This visa is for those aged 16 or 17, although some sources state that those under 18 can also apply. The visa application can be submitted up to 6 months before the start of the course, and the applicant must already be in the UK at the time of application. The visa fee must be paid for each dependent that joins the applicant in the UK. The applicant may also have to pay the healthcare surcharge as part of their application.
For those aged 18 or over, studying at degree level, a Student Visa (or Tier 4 (General) student visa) can be obtained, allowing the holder to stay in the UK for up to 5 years. The visa fee for switching to this visa is £524. Students must abide by the conditions attached to their visa, which include working restrictions, no access to state benefits, and registering with the police if required. For example, a Tier 4/Student Visa holder can work for a maximum of 20 hours per week during term time, and they must not travel to the UK before the start date given on their visa.
From 1 January 2024, the UK government implemented restrictions on student visa routes, including preventing international students from bringing family members to the UK, except for those on postgraduate research courses and courses with government-funded scholarships. This was done to curb migration and prevent abuse of the immigration system.
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Switching visas
International students can apply for a Graduate visa to stay in the UK for at least two years after completing a degree or eligible course. However, the Graduate visa cannot be extended. One option for graduates who wish to remain in the UK is to switch to a different visa type.
Who can switch visas?
Anyone who has been given entry clearance or leave to remain in the UK for more than six months can switch to this category if they are married or in a civil partnership. Dependants can also switch visas, but they must apply separately.
Who cannot switch visas?
- Nationals of non-EEA countries cannot switch to Tier 1 (Entrepreneur), Tier 1 (Investor), or Tier 1 (Exceptional Talent) visas while in the UK.
- Visitors with permission to remain in the UK for six months cannot switch to a spouse or civil partner visa.
- You cannot switch to a skilled worker visa if you are in the UK as a Visitor, Short-Term Student, Parent of a Child Student, Seasonal Worker, or Domestic Worker.
- You cannot switch to another visa within the UK if you are on immigration bail or were given permission to remain outside standard immigration rules.
Common visa switches
It is common for people to switch from student, graduate, business, and family visas to Skilled Worker visas. To switch to a work visa, you will usually need a job offer from a licensed sponsoring employer in the UK.
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Work rights and limitations
International students who want to work in the UK after graduation have two main options: applying for a long-term work visa or applying for a Graduate Route visa.
Long-term work visa
International students can apply directly for a long-term work visa, such as the Skilled Worker Visa. To do this, they must have a job in an eligible occupation with an employer who is a licensed sponsor. More students are switching into long-term Skilled Worker Route visas, which provide a path to permanent residence in the UK. However, it is important to note that there are restrictions on work visas that may impact an international student's ability to obtain one. For example, the proposed policy changes prevent people with children from using the care route to stay in the UK after their studies.
Graduate Route visa
The Graduate Route visa provides international students with two to three years of work rights in any job sector and at any level. After this period, they can remain in the UK if they find a job that qualifies for the Skilled Worker route or another long-term work visa. The Graduate Route visa costs £821, and applicants must pay an Immigration Health Surcharge of £1,035 per year of the visa. It is not extendable and does not count towards settlement, but it is possible to switch into the Skilled Worker route if a suitable job is identified. To be eligible for a Graduate Route visa, international students must have studied a UK bachelor's degree, postgraduate degree, or other eligible course for a minimum period with a valid visa. The application for a Graduate Route visa must be made before the Student visa expires, and applicants must provide proof of identity and relevant documents.
Student visa
Students on full-time degree-level courses holding a Student visa are permitted to work in the UK for up to 20 hours per week during university term time and full time during vacation periods. They can also be employed full time during term time if they are on a work placement that is an integral and assessed part of the course. However, Student visa holders can only work on a temporary basis and cannot be employed full time on a permanent contract. They cannot be self-employed or set up a business and cannot be employed as a professional sportsperson or entertainer. Once a student's course has officially ended, they are considered "on vacation" and can work full time for up to four months or until their Student visa expires, whichever comes sooner.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, international students can work in the UK after graduation by applying for a Graduate visa, which allows them to stay and work in the UK for at least two years.
To work in the UK after graduation, international students must apply for a visa, such as the Graduate visa or a Skilled Worker visa. For the Graduate visa, students must have completed a UK bachelor's or postgraduate degree and be in the UK at the time of application. For a Skilled Worker visa, they must have a job offer in an eligible occupation with an employer who is a licensed sponsor.
Aside from the Graduate visa, international students can apply for other types of visas such as the Skilled Worker visa or the Health and Care Worker visa. The Skilled Worker visa provides a path to permanent residence in the UK, while the Health and Care Worker visa is cheaper and exempt from the annual immigration health surcharge.
