Distinguishing the Graduate Visa from the Graduate Trainee Visa (Global Business Mobility Route)

The Graduate Visa is for graduates who have recently finished their studies outside of the UK and would like to gain experience in their field of study in the UK. This visa lasts for 12 months and is renewable for a second year.

The Graduate Trainee Visa, under the Global Business Mobility route, is for graduates who have recently finished their studies outside of the UK and would like to gain experience in their field of study in the UK. This visa lasts for 12 months and is renewable for a second year, but the applicant must also have an offer for a graduate training program from a UK employer. This visa also allows the person to take up full-time paid employment in the UK.

What is the purpose of these visas?

Graduate Visa

In essence, the Graduate Visa grants international students, who have completed a bachelor’s degree level course or higher, permission to stay in the UK for at least two years and secure work opportunities. Being a points-based immigration visa route, graduates need to meet the minimum points required, as specified in the immigration rules – Appendix Graduate. 

Global Business Mobility Visa: Graduate Trainee

The Graduate Trainee Visa enables overseas workers to be transferred by their employer for a work placement in the UK as part of an eligible Graduate Trainee programme, leading to a specialist or managerial role.

The Graduate Trainee route, in practice, replaces the Intra-company Graduate Trainee Visa; it is consolidated, amongst other existing routes, under the Global Business Mobility route. 

What are the different eligibility criteria for each route?

Graduate Visa

In order to be eligible for the Graduate Visa, applicants must meet the following:

• You must be present in the UK.
• You studied a UK bachelor’s degree, postgraduate degree or other eligible course for a minimum period of time with your Student Visa or Tier 4 (General) Student Visa.
• You hold a valid Student Visa or Tier 4 (General) Student Visa.
• You have successfully completed your course, with confirmation from your institution.

The applicant will hold the necessary 70 points for a Graduate Visa if all the above requirements are met. There is an additional prerequisite that studies must be completed at an institution registered as a student sponsor, with a track record of compliance at the date of application. 

Global Business Mobility Visa: Graduate Trainee

In order to apply for a Graduate Trainee Visa, applicants must satisfy the following:

• Aged at least 18 or over.
• You are an existing employee of a business or organisation that is approved by the Home Office as a sponsor, linked to your UK sponsor by common ownership or control, or by a joint venture on which you are sponsored to work.
• Worked outside the UK for this business or organisation for at least 3 months immediately before the date of your visa application.
• You have a valid Certificate of Sponsorship issued by your sponsor with information about the job you are planning to do.
• The job is genuine, listed on the eligible occupations list and at least RQF Level 6 (graduate equivalent).
• You will be paid at least £23,100 per year and 70% of the pro-rated going rate for the occupation, whichever is higher.
• You have enough money to support yourself without relying on public funds.
• You will need to have cash funds of at least £1,270 available or your sponsor meets these maintenance costs up to the end of the first month of employment.
• You have provided a valid TB certificate if required.

You cannot apply to change (‘switch’) to a Graduate Trainee Visa from inside the UK.

How long can you stay?

Graduate Visa

A Graduate Visa lasts 2 years for all eligible qualification holders. Graduates who hold a PhD or other doctoral qualification are granted three years. Your visa will start from the day your application is approved.

You cannot extend your Graduate Visa, however, holders may potentially switch to a different visa, like the Skilled Worker Visa, if they meet the relevant requirements. Under this route, individuals may extend their UK stay in the UK indefinitely. Skilled Worker migrants may qualify to apply for settlement after five years of continuous residence in the UK.

Global Business Mobility Visa: Graduate Trainee

As explained on the government website, a successful application under this route will allow you to stay in the UK for whichever is shorter:

• Your Certificate of Sponsorship or the time given on your Certificate of Sponsorship plus 14 days; or
• 12 months.

You cannot extend your visa, but you can apply for another Graduate Trainee Visa from outside the UK.

If your application is successful you will be able to stay in the UK up to a maximum period of 5 years in any 6-year period if you’ve spent time on any of these visas:

• Intra-company Graduate Trainee Visa
• Intra-company Transfer Visa
• Graduate Trainee Visa (Global Business Mobility)
• Secondment Worker Visa (Global Business Mobility)
• Senior or Specialist Worker Visa (Global Business Mobility)
• Service Supplier Visa (Global Business Mobility)
• UK Expansion Worker Visa (Global Business Mobility)

You must have been working for your sponsor outside the UK for at least 3 months immediately before the date you apply.

When calculating the period of time spent on the routes the Home Office will consider all previous periods of permission granted on the Global Business Mobility routes and all previous periods of permission granted on the Intra-company routes.

In summary, the Graduate Visa is suited for graduates who want to gain work experience in the UK, whilst the Graduate Trainee Visa is suited for those who want to gain work experience and also have a graduate training program from a UK employer.

How can NA Law Solicitors help you?

As we have highlighted in this article, both of these visas allow recent graduates to work in the UK, but there are several key differences between the two that potential applicants should be aware of. Our immigration team has extensive experience in providing bespoke immigration services and will work diligently to advise you on the most suitable visa route for you and ensure the successful preparation of your application.

We are ready to support you, contact us now.