UK GRADUATE VISA
The UK Graduate Visa allows international students who have completed an eligible UK degree to stay in the UK to work, or look for work, for two years (three years for those being awarded doctorates) after they have completed their studies.
The UK Graduate Visa does not lead directly to settlement, but graduates on the route are able to switch into other work-based routes which can lead to settlement.
UK Graduate Visa Requirements
In order to qualify for a UK Graduate Visa, you will need to satisfy UK Visas & Immigration that:
- You have successfully completed a UK degree, or other eligible course;
- You have studied at a Higher Education Provider which is a student sponsor with a track record of compliance;
- You have spent a minimum period of time studying in the UK;
- You are applying from within the UK and have valid leave as a Student or Tier 4 Student at the date of application;
- You have not previously held permission on the Doctorate Extension Scheme (DES), or the Graduate route;
- You do not fall for refusal on grounds of suitability.
The exact requirements you will need to satisfy will vary depending on your circumstances. You may want to speak to our immigration team for expert advice
UK Graduate Visa Eligible Courses
In order to extend your stay on the UK Graduate Immigration Route you need to have successfully completed a degree at UK bachelor’s or postgraduate level, or a professional course requiring study at UK bachelor’s degree level or above, in a profession with reserved activities that is regulated by UK law or UK public authority.
You will also be eligible to apply for a UK Graduate Visa if you have been sponsored to undertake a role as a Student Union Sabbatical Officer following the completion of an eligible qualification in your most recent grant of permission to study.
UK Graduate Visa Minimum Study Period in the UK
In order to qualify for a UK Graduate Visa, your studies on an eligible course need to have involved a minimum period of time spent studying in the UK. The minimum UK study period will depend on the length of the course.
If you have completed a course lasting 12 months or less, you will need to have studied the whole course in the UK.
If your course lasted more than 12 months, you will need to have been granted permission for at least 12 months on the Student route and have spent that time studying in the UK.
UK Graduate Visa Sponsorship
The Graduate Visa Route is an unsponsored route, meaning that applicants do not need a job offer or a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) in order to be eligible.
Job-Seeking and Employment on the UK Graduate Visa Route
Graduates on the UK Graduate Visa Route are permitted to look for work and, once employment has been found, work flexibly. They can undertake roles at any skill level and do not need to satisfy any minimum salary requirement. Successful applicants are also be able to switch jobs.
Duration of stay in the UK on the Graduate Immigration Route
Successful applicants on the UK Graduate Visa Route who have completed a bachelor’s or master’s degree are able to stay in the UK for two years. Doctoral students are able to stay in the UK for three years.
It is not possible to extend permission to stay on the UK Graduate Immigration Route
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UK Graduate Visa Settlement or ILR
The UK Graduate Visa does not lead directly to settlement or indefinite leave to remain. However, once on the UK Graduate Immigration Route you will be able to extend your stay by switching into other work-based routes, such as the Skilled Worker route, the Global Talent route and the Innovator route, all of which can lead to settlement. Applicants will of course need to satisfy the requirements of the route.
Dependants
If you have family members in the UK who already have permission to stay in the UK as your dependent then they will be able to extend their stay when you apply to enter the Graduate Visa Route.
New dependents are not permitted on this route, except where a dependent child is born in the UK during a period of Student or Graduate leave.
COVID-19 and the UK Graduate Immigration Route
Although it is not possible to apply for a Graduate Visa from outside the UK, the Home Office has put in place concessions for international students who have been unable to travel to the UK due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Where distance learning has taken place outside of the UK as a result of Covid-19, the following concessions apply:
- If you began your studies in autumn 2020 or spring 2021, you will be eligible to switch into the Graduate Immigration Route if you entered the UK by 27 September 2021;
- If you began your studies in autumn 2021 or spring 2022, you will be eligible to switch into the Graduate Immigration Route if you entered the UK by 6 April 2022.
Graduates Whose Tier 4 or Student Leave Expired Before 1 July 2021
International students who have graduated with a degree from a UK higher education institution and whose Tier 4 (General) Student leave or Student leave expired before 1 July 2021 will not be eligible for a Graduate Visa. However, if you fall into this category you may qualify to switch into another immigration route, such as the Skilled Worker route, Start-up route, Innovator route or Global Talent route, among others.