UK’s Graduate Visa
Overview of UK Graduate Visa - Start Your UK Graduate Journey Here!
Graduate Visa UK permits an international student to live and work in the UK for at least 2 (two) years or 3 (three) years after successfully completing a qualified course in the UK. This visa is designed to retain global talent in the UK. One of the criteria to be eligible for UK Graduate Visa is to apply for the visa when the applicant’s current visa is a student via or tier 4 (general) student visa and is still within the UK.
Student Visa
Applicant’s current visa has to be student visa or Tier 4 (General) student visa.
Study Level
The student must have completed a UK bachelor’s degree, postgraduate degree or other eligible qualified course that is studied for a permissible minimum amount of time with your student visa or Tier 4 (General) student visa.
Currently in the UK
The applicant needs to apply for the Graduate Visa from within the UK.
Successful Course Completion
The applicant’s educational institution (e.g., university or college) needs to inform the Home Office that the applicant has finished the course successfully.
Unlock the Benefits of Graduate Visa UK
- Visa Duration: Normally, the Graduate visa allows for a 2 (two) years stay. But, if you have a PhD or another type of doctoral degree, you can stay on a visa for up to 3 (three) years. The visa starts on the day the application is approved.
- Work Flexibility: The Graduate Visa grants the applicant the right to work and live in the UK. The visa holder can also start their business work for themselves or do volunteer work. The visa holder can go out of the UK and come back again.
- Family Inclusivity: The Graduate Visa holder can continue to live with their partner and children if they are eligible. If the applicant’s partner and children have not joined the applicant in the UK as dependants on the student visa or Tier 4 (General) student visa, they are not eligible to apply on a Graduate Visa.
- No Job Sponsorship Required: The applicant is granted the right to work without having a job offer from an employer having a sponsorship license. Also, Graduate Visa holders do not have to quickly find a job. They get time to look at and explore different work opportunities.
- Further Studies: The applicant is allowed to study in a chosen course if the course is not eligible for a student visa. However, if the course is eligible for a student visa, the applicant can extend their student visa instead and then later on apply under Graduate Visa. If the applicant is studying or researching sensitive topics, the applicant may need an Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) Certificate.
- Migrate to Other Visa: After completing 2 (two) years or 3 (three) years of stay in the UK under a Graduate Visa, an applicant can also migrate to another visa category like an Innovator Visa or any other visa that suits their requirement.
- UK Passport holders are allowed visa-free access to 154 countries.
Limitations of the Graduate Visa UK
- Limited Visa Duration: While an applicant gets to work in the UK for a period of 2 (two) years or 3 (three) years depending upon the studies undertaken by the applicant, an applicant needs to be prepared to switch to another type of visa or leave the UK before the visa expires.
- Not allowed to play sports professionally: The Graduate Visa holder are not allowed to work as professional sportspersons.
- No Public Fund Access: The Graduate Visa holders are not allowed to apply for many types of government aid such as the State Pension.
- Study Restrictions: The applicant is not allowed to apply for a graduate visa if they are planning to study further and the study course is eligible for a student visa. If the applicant is studying or researching sensitive topics, the applicant may need an Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) Certificate.
- Future Visa Uncertainty: After the Graduate visa, there are limited options for transitioning from Graduate Visa to another visa and the applicant needs to meet the specific requirements of the another visa category.
Conclusion
The UK’s Graduate visa is advantageous for international students from many perspective. The candidates not only get 2 (two) years or 3 (three) years to recover their University Fees, but also get various work opportunities in order to broaden their professional horizons. However, it comes with its own set of restrictions. Prospective candidates must weigh the benefits and limitations carefully to make informed decision about their post study plans in the UK.