Staying In The UK After Your Studies

If you’re an international graduate looking to remain in the UK post-graduation, there are several options available to you. Below, we outline the UK government’s Graduate Route visa and the Skilled Worker route.

For detailed information, we recommend visiting the GOV.UK website to identify the visa that best suits your needs. There are numerous options available, including both short-term and long-term visas, as well as visas for specific employment sectors, such as healthcare.

What is the Graduate Route?

The UK’s Graduate Route allows international students to stay and work, or seek employment, in the UK after graduation. Those who have successfully completed an undergraduate or master’s degree can stay for up to two years, while PhD graduates can stay for up to three years.

This is an excellent opportunity for international students who wish to start their careers in the UK.

Benefits of the Graduate Route

The Graduate Route is unsponsored, offering the freedom to work, seek employment, or engage in internships or freelance work at any skill level. There is no minimum salary requirement, no cap on the number of participants, and no obligation to stay with a single employer. You can switch jobs as needed during your visa period.

After securing suitable employment, you can transition to a skilled work route to extend your stay in the UK beyond the initial two or three years.

Testimonial: “Applying for the Graduate Route was beneficial as it didn’t require an employer to sponsor my visa. I could work part-time without any issues and gain valuable UK work experience, which has been instrumental in my career in actuarial science.” — Lan from China, Applied Actuarial Science graduate, University of Kent (2022)

Costs of the Graduate Route

Before applying, be aware of the costs:

• Application fee: £822
• Immigration Health Surcharge: £1035 annually (effective from February 6, 2024)
  
  

Eligibility for the Graduate Route

To be eligible for the Graduate Route, you must meet the following criteria:

1. Completion of Degree: You must have successfully completed an undergraduate, master’s, or PhD degree at a recognized UK higher education institution.
2. Valid Student Visa: You must currently hold a valid student visa or Tier 4 (General) student visa at the time of your application.
3. Study Requirement: Your entire degree must have been completed in the UK on a student visa, except for periods of study abroad permitted by your course, or in cases where distance learning was necessary due to COVID-19 restrictions.
4. Compliance with Conditions: You must have complied with all the conditions of your student visa.
   
   

Application Process

Applying for the Graduate Route is straightforward:

1. Online Application: Submit an online application on the UK government’s official website.
2. Documentation: Provide necessary documentation, including proof of identity, proof of completion of your degree, and a valid student visa.
3. Application Fee: Pay the application fee of £822.
4. Immigration Health Surcharge: Pay the Immigration Health Surcharge, which costs £1035 annually from February 6, 2024.
   
   

Advantages of the Graduate Route

1. Flexibility: The Graduate Route offers great flexibility as it does not require sponsorship from an employer. This means you are free to work or look for work at any skill level without the constraints of being tied to a particular employer.
2. Diverse Opportunities: You can gain valuable work experience, participate in internships, or even work as a freelancer. This opens up a wide range of opportunities to build your career in the UK.
3. No Salary Threshold: Unlike other work visas, the Graduate Route does not impose a minimum salary requirement, making it accessible for recent graduates who may be starting at entry-level positions.
4. Multiple Jobs: You are allowed to work multiple jobs if you wish, providing more avenues to explore different career paths and gain diverse experiences.
5. Pathway to Skilled Worker Visa: After gaining work experience in the UK, you can switch to a Skilled Worker visa if you meet the eligibility criteria, thus providing a pathway to long-term residency in the UK.
   
   

Learn More About the Graduate Route

For more details, visit the GOV.UK and UKCISA websites, which provide guidance on application processes, requirements, and FAQs. Additionally, refer to the UK government’s Graduate Route guide.

Note: Impressing your employer while on a Graduate Route visa can lead to switching to the Skilled Worker route if eligibility requirements are met. However, switching from a Skilled Worker visa back to a Graduate Route visa is not allowed.