Post Study Work Visa UK (Graduate Route Visa) in 2024

The Graduate Immigration Route, renowned as the Points-based Immigration Route, is an unsponsored pathway that allows students to take up work opportunities or seek employment for up to two years after completing their bachelor's or master's courses and up to 3 years for doctoral students. 

Your coursework must correspond to the Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) linked to your Tier 4 or student visa, or it must comply with a course modification that has been authorised without the need for further permission. 

After completing their college or university studies, students can use this option to work toward building their professions in the UK, regardless of their skill level. Applicants don't need to submit evidence of finances or proof of fluency in English. This is because the candidates had previously shown their English language skills by earning a degree in the UK.

The UK government's main priority is strengthening its competitive advantage; hence, it welcomes qualified experts to work there under the Tier 2 visa program.

This program allows skilled individuals from countries such as India, listed as shortage occupations on Tier 2, to apply for long-term employment in the UK. The information regarding the two streams under the tier 2 visa is provided below.

• Skilled Worker Visa: You can enter or remain in the UK if an approved employer employs you. The Tier 2 (General) work visa has been superseded by it. Work for a UK employer approved by the Home Office to be eligible for the skilled worker visa. Additionally, a certificate of sponsorship from your employer detailing the function you have been assigned in the UK is required. In addition, you have to work in one of the qualifying jobs and receive a minimum wage.

• Senior or Specialist Worker Visa: If your employer employs you at a UK branch, you can enter or remain in the UK with this visa. It has taken the position of the Tier 2 (Intra-company Transfer) Long-term Staff Visa, which was the Intra-company Transfer Visa. To be eligible for this visa, you have to work as an employee of an organisation that the Home Office has approved as a sponsor, possess a sponsorship certificate from your employer, perform work that is included in the list of acceptable occupations, and be paid a minimum of £48,500 annually.

Following their graduate studies, Indian students can reside for 2 years maximum in the UK to look for work or pursue full-time employment possibilities. This is known as the post-study work visa (PSW UK) or work permit for UK. A three-year duration extension may be given to PhD or doctorate students.

If you want to work and remain in the UK after these dates, whichever best fits your qualifications, you must apply for a skilled worker visa because your Graduate Route Visa UK cannot be extended beyond these time limits.

Applicants should know that they must be in the UK while applying for a Graduate Route Visa. The best aspect is that if an applicant's previous degree lasted longer than a year and they were living and studying in the UK during that time, they do not need to provide proof of any bank statement or financial funds.

Additionally, candidates are not required to demonstrate their English proficiency, as your UK university degree will provide sufficient evidence of that. Students must also have met the requirements listed on the CAS for a Tier 4 or student visa.

Here are a few points to keep in mind when applying for a UK work permit visa requirements :

• You must be in the United Kingdom; if you depart from the United Kingdom, the Isle of Man, Ireland, or the Channel Islands prior to receiving a decision regarding your graduate route visa application, your nomination will be cancelled, and your application will be withdrawn.

• You must have finished a bachelor's, master's, or doctoral degree from the UK within the required minimum time frame while holding a Tier 4 or student visa.

• You currently have a valid student visa, often known as a Tier 4 (General) visa.

• Your school must verify that you completed the course and send the paperwork to the UK home office.

• Under a student visa, you are the Sabbatical Officer of the Student Union.

• You had to have spent at least the following amount of time living and studying in the UK:

  • If your course lasted longer than 12 months, at least 12 months.

  • Suppose your course is shorter than a year, equal to the course's overall length. For example, you must have studied in the UK for at least 10 months if your degree lasted 10 months. 

As soon as your college or institution notifies the UK home office that your studies are over, you must begin the application process for a graduate visa. Also, verify that the period of your Tier 4 or Student Visa has not expired before applying for a PSW visa. Because of this, you do not have to wait until graduation day or until you earn your degree.

Apply for a Graduate Route Visa UK online and provide the necessary paperwork. Further, your spouse and children, who are considered dependents, must submit separate applications and make individual payments for each.

You will need to provide identification as part of the application process, and you can do this by scanning your biometric residency permit (BRP). Alternatively, you can make a new account or log in to an already-existing UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account using the "UK Immigration: ID Check" app.

Suppose the previously mentioned app cannot accomplish the same task. In that case, you will need to present your picture and fingerprints at a UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services (UKVCAS) service location.

The applicants are provided with complete guidance on the necessary actions to apply. To complete your application, you might need your passport and supporting documentation.

Below are some UK work visa requirements concerning documents:

• Any legitimate passport or travel document that shows your nationality and identity.

• If you were given one when you filed for a student visa under Tier 4 (General) in UK, it is the biometric residence permit (BRP). 

• CAS Reference Number: this is the number your school or institution gave you after you finished your studies there when you were a student with a UK visa.

• Evidence of your relationship with your spouse and/or children, if any, are applying for a graduate visa on your behalf as dependents.

• A letter of approval from each sponsor or scholarship source must be sent if they helped you with the expense of living and education in the UK during the last 12 months.

There are two segments of graduate route visa fees in the UK; these are listed below.

• Post study work visa application fee for 2 years- £2,070. 

• Post study work visa application free for 3 years- £3,105.

• When you apply for your visa, you must pay an application fee of £822 and an immigration health surcharge (IHS) of £1,035 for each year of your visa.

Also, read: Youth Mobility Visa UK

You will obtain notification of the outcome of your graduate visa application within eight weeks. It is recommended that applicants remain in the UK throughout this period.

You will be notified by email if the decision on your application takes longer than eight weeks for any reason. The most likely causes for extending the application processing time are listed below. 

• We need to double-check any of the documents you have attached.

• For instance, you have a criminal record based on your particular circumstances and condition.

So, make sure you submit the required documents.

To sum up, a post-study work visa is a fantastic opportunity for Indian graduates to begin their careers in the UK. It even helps them obtain permanent residency in the UK and offers them the flexibility and time to choose the ideal employment. Moreover, you must begin preparations and apply for permission well in advance of the expiration of your student visa. Taking this step will lead to many opportunities in the UK employment market. Thus, take the chance to advance your career in the creative and vibrant UK atmosphere.

We hope you liked the blog. If you want to know more about post study work visa UK (Graduate Route Visa) in 2024, we encourage you to speak with our team of expert counsellors at Meridean Overseas Education Consultants (MOEC). Our counsellors will provide you with guidance throughout your study abroad. Get help with the application process, SOPs, and filing for a visa. Visit us and get one-to-one counselling, or avail yourself of free video counselling via our website. We will be happy to help you, so please do not hesitate to contact us at application02@meridean.org or 1800-1230-00011.

Question: What should you do when the Post Study Work Visa UK expires?

Answer: Candidates who wish to stay in the UK and continue working after their graduation visa expires can apply for any other applicable visa like a skilled worker visa or a general work visa (tier 2). 

Question: What can you do with a post study work visa UK?

Answer: With a post study work visa UK Visa, you can work in most jobs, search for work, be self-employed, and continue staying in the UK with your children and partner if they are eligible. However, there are a few things you cannot do with post study work visa UK such as apply for benefits like public funds or the State Pension and work as a professional sportsperson.

Question: What after you apply for a Graduate Route Visa UK?

Answer: Within eight weeks of the date of application, you would receive an email with information on the status of your graduate route visa application. The email will also include information on the following steps that need to be taken. If you decide to cancel your online application for a post study work visa UK, you will only be eligible for a refund of your application fee if the UKVI has not yet begun processing it.

Question: What is the UK's work policy for graduates?

Answer: Indian students can now work in the UK after graduating, thanks to new post-study work visa regulations. Graduates with a bachelor's, master's, or PhD will be subject to this rule. Your two-year post-study work visa will be valid in the UK if you have pursued a bachelor's or post-graduation degree. A Graduate visa lasts three years if you have pursued a PhD or another doctoral degree. Your graduate visa's validity period begins on the day your application is accepted.

Question: How long does it take for my application for a UK Graduate Visa to be decided?

Answer: You will not hear back regarding your online application for a UK Graduate Visa for eight weeks after you submit your supporting documentation, verify your identity, and submit it. It may take a little longer if your documents need to be verified or if there are other issues.

Question: In what situations can I receive a health surcharge exemption?

Answer: You may be free from the health surcharge if you work in the medical field, as a nurse, or in adult social services and are qualified for a Health and Care Worker visa.

Question: Can my Graduate Route Visa UK (post-study work permit) be extended?

Answer: No, your UK Graduate visa cannot be extended. If you want to stay in the UK when it expires, you can apply for a general work visa, skilled work visa, or any other applicable visa. However, the candidate must earn at least £38,700 annually or the "going rate" according to the nature of their profession to be eligible for a Tier 2 visa, often known as the general work visa (whichever is higher).

Question: Are families eligible to apply for a UK Graduate Visa?

Answer: Yes. If they were in the country when you applied for your UK student visa, your partner and children may apply to remain as family members on your UK Graduate Visa.

Question: Can I live in the United Kingdom?

Answer: If you meet the eligibility requirements, you can apply for PR  in the United Kingdom. Indefinite leave to remain (ILR) is another term for permanent settlement in the UK. Depending on the application option you choose, there are some differences in the requirements for ILR in the UK. However, they often consist of the following: proof of sufficient English language proficiency, passing the Life in the UK exam, five years of continuous residency in the UK, and evidence that you meet the criteria of your UK visa.

Question: In what situations is my UK post-study work visa valid for three years?

Answer: A student's UK graduate visa lasts three years if they have pursued a PhD or another doctoral degree.