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What is The Graduate Visa Route?
The Graduate visa route is for students in the UK who want to work, or look for work, following the completion of an eligible course of study at UK bachelor’s degree level or above. This Graduate visa route will be introduced from July 2021.
Graduates studying in the UK will be able to work abroad for an additional two-year period after completing their studies, under the new graduate visa scheme. Without the need for a sponsorship from an employer, they would be free to look for suitable employment across the UK.
The application for the Graduate visa route must be made online.
Eligibility Requirements
The following requirements must be met:
- Applicant must be in the UK
- Applicant must have paid any fees and Immigration Health charges
- Applicant must have provided any required biometrics
- Applicant must have provided a passport or any other travel documents which effectively establish their identity and nationality.
In order to satisfy the requirements, a total scoring of 70 Points must be awarded.
In addition:
- Applicants must have successfully completed the course of study undertaken during their most recent grant of permission as a student.
- Applicants must have last been sponsored by a Student sponsor, which is a higher education provider with a track record of compliance dating till the date of application.
- The qualification requirements set out in the ‘A Statement Of Changes in Immigration Rules’ must apply.
- Applicants that have studied in a course that is of 12 months or less, must have studied as a student legally in the UK for the full duration of their course. Students whose courses lasted longer than 12 months will need to have been granted permission for a minimum of 12 months on the student route and must have spent that time studying within the UK. (Exceptions of absences due to Covid-19 will not be subject to the requirement).
Decision and Length of Stay
Graduates who have applied under a PhD or other doctoral qualifications will be granted permission to work in the UK for a period of three years. Applicants with all other qualifications, as set out in the ‘A Statement Of Changes in Immigration Rules’ document, will only be granted two years from the date of the decision.
How Can NA Law Solicitors Help?
Our team of immigration solicitors can increase your chances of a successful Graduate route visa application. We not only can submit an application for you that is of high standard, but also support you with the right information and guidance.
Arrange a consultation with us today to find out more about how we can help you.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Applicants who have begun their studies in Autumn 2020 have until 21st June 2021 to enter the UK with permission as a student. Students who have begun their studies during January/February 2021 have until 27th September 2021 to enter the UK.
Dependents of a student who is applying on this route can also apply to extend their permission as a dependent. However, new dependents will not be permitted through this route.
No. However, other routes are available following your stay on a Graduate visa. Please contact us for a consultation.
No. You must be present inside the UK in order to apply. Also, please note that Graduate students whose Tier 4 or Student visa leave expiries prior to the June 2021 will not be eligible to apply. Students must also need to know the Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) they have used for their most recent student visa application.
The new Graduate visa application fee is £700. Immigration Health Surcharge at the full rate of £624 must also be paid each year.