Graduate Visa Route Open for International Students

The Graduate visa route will enable graduate students to begin their after study work career in the UK. From 01 July 2021, all international graduate students who have completed a qualifying course from a UK university can begin a post-study work career in the UK.

Even the UK employers who do not have a sponsor licence can also hire the graduate students to work for them without sponsoring and assigning Certificate of Sponsorship to them.

The only prerequisite required to secure a Graduate visa is that the student must be present in the UK while making the application and must have a valid student visa.

Eligibility to apply for a Graduate visa

The Graduate visa route applies to those international students who have successfully completed their undergraduate degree, postgraduate degree or another eligible course for a set minimum period with your Student visa from a recognised university in the UK.

• You are living in the UK.
• You possess a current visa as a Student visa.

What should be your educational status at the time of application

• You must have completed their course
• The education provider must be a ‘licensed student sponsor’ with a ‘track record of compliance’
• The Sponsor must have informed the Government whether the applicant has successfully completed the course and received the certificate of completion.

How long can you stay in the UK on a Graduate visa

You can begin working in the UK for at least two years if you have a graduate degree or Master’s degree. In addition, if you are a PhD student you can stay and work for up to 3 years.

What should be your course completion status at the time of application

You must fulfil the following requirements as a course completion prerequisite to be able to apply,

• You must have completed the course on your student visa.
• Your circumstances during the application process also rely on the type, of course, you have pursued, your education provider, and how long you studied.
• It would help if you had either of the following educational qualifications.
• a UK bachelor’s degree
• a UK master’s degree
• a UK PhD or doctorate

What are the chances of visa extension or settlement

The Graduate visa route is a non-sponsored route. You will not be able to extend your visa beyond 2 or 3 years. However, you will be able to switch your visa category before your Graduate visa expires.

You will be able to switch to Skilled worker visa or a Global talent visa category and even Investor visa category.

If the students are unable to travel due to Coronavirus

The International students must not worry if they are not able to travel due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The UK visa immigration(or the Home Office) has also launched ‘Coronavirus concession’ for those who had already enrolled or will enrol themselves in the spring 2021 to Autumn 2021 and Spring 2022.

If the students had started their courses in 2020, they can now enter the UK on or before 27 September 2021.

Students who have started their courses in Autumn 2020 or spring 2021 can also enter the UK as early as 27 September 2021 before their current visa expires. However, if the students start their course in Autumn 2021, they must be present in the UK by 6 April 2022.

How can I apply for a Graduate visa?

You can make an online application and submit the required documents within the stipulated time.

When you apply for a Graduate visa, you will be asked to pay the application fee of £700 and additionally the healthcare surcharge of £624 for each year.

It is recommended that you take assistance from a legal expert. A Y & J Solicitors are the best immigration lawyers in London, who provide bespoke legal advice.